January 20, 2025 • 35 mins
Join us on this episode of Pop Palace as we sit down with Anna Koblish, the creative force behind some of the most captivating visuals in pop culture. Known for her work with brands like Vans, Puma, and Steve Madden, and for capturing today’s most iconic internet personalities, Anna shares her journey from freelance photographer to studio owner. We dive into her inspirations, her process behind the lens, and her experiences shaping the visual narratives for industry-leading brands. Tune in for an inside look at how Anna’s artistry continues to redefine the intersection of photography and pop culture.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Thank you for joining me.
I'm so excited to have you.
Thank you for having me.
I'm so looking forward to this.
Of course.
So a little bit about Pop Palace.
Um, we focus on celebratingiconic women and LGBTQ people in
pop music, but also pop culture.
And so when I first started, um,the idea of Pop Palace, We were,
(00:24):
like, one of the first people thatI was like, I need to talk to.
Um, I've been following yousince, like, Mod Latour era.
Oh my god.
And, as a big Mod fan, I saw yourpictures and I was like, oh my gosh.
She gets it.
She's one of the girls.
And so, I'm so excited to have youas our first guest on the podcast.
Oh my god, the first?
(00:46):
Yeah, so, last season was, um, adissection of Madonna's discography.
Oh my god, wait, I have to listen to that.
Oh my gosh, it's, and they're alllike 10 to 15 minutes, so it's not
like such a commitment, but I wantedto talk to some people that are in
the real world and are, haven't beendoing it for 40 years like Madonna,
(01:06):
and so, some new perspectives, so.
Thank you for joining.
Yay!
for having me.
Yes.
So, um, for those of you who don't knowwho are listening, this is Anna Koblish.
She's creative director and photographer.
Um, can you just tell us a little bitabout yourself and your background?
(01:26):
Yeah, of course.
Um, I graduated from college in 2020.
At the time I wasn't studying photographyor really, I wasn't taking photos at
all or pursuing photography, but thepandemic really kind of enlightened me to
like, okay, so right before the pandemichit, I assisted for a photographer
(01:48):
and we were on set and I was like,That is what I'm supposed to be doing.
And then when the pandemichit, I was kind of forced.
We all had like nothing to do, but I wasat home with my sister and I just started
taking photos again for the first time.
And I think it was like eight years.
I hadn't really shot all throughout highschool and not through college either.
So I picked up the camerafor the first time.
(02:10):
In like a long time and I justdecided that I wanted to do it and
I did and four years later Here weare four and a half years later.
Here we are.
I love that so much.
Um, i'm all for Someone that i'mgoing to school for music business,
but I don't necessarily think that Ineed a degree to be in that business.
(02:30):
And I'm all for not feeling likeit's too late to start something.
Like I just started this inApril and I'm still continuing.
And, um, I love how far you'vemade it in just four years.
That's wild.
Um, What has been one of your absolutefavorite moments on a project so far?
Have you had like a, wow, thisis, I love what I do moment.
(02:52):
Yeah.
Um, I guess I can talkabout the most recent one.
I've had a few big ones.
Um, but the most recent one was the Athenaclub and Juicy Couture, uh, campaign
I shot, uh, in LA over the summer.
Um, the reason why I was so big to mewas because I art directed the Athena
(03:13):
club came to me basically, and theywere like, we just want you and we
want your ideas and we want your style.
And that's never happenedfor a big campaign.
Usually there's a few, likea few, just a few different
photographers up for the job.
You either have to pitch to get the job orthey kind of make a decision internally.
Um, so this was the first timethat they approached me and
(03:34):
there was no bidding process.
I just, I just had it and we justwent from there and it was really
special because they kind of gave mea loose brief of what they wanted.
You know, the name of thecampaign was the sweet escape.
And I think Gwen Stefani was on theoriginal mood board, but they really
let me play and We got to expandthe production value and we built
(03:56):
these sets and I, you know, I helpedart direct the sets and I really
did have my hands in every partof those images from the styling.
I picked all the clothes, thehair, the makeup, um, the makeup.
I kind of deferred to Kaylee whowas an unbelievable makeup artist
and I knew that I could trust her.
Um, cause like, I kind of, you know,you have an idea of what you want
(04:18):
when the model shows up in therein the outfit, things just change
with the lighting and everything.
Um, but the lighting I was really proudof, I have an incredible lighting team.
Byron Nickelberry is the, is mylighting director and he is just.
So talented and he really like pushesme and I don't know it was a really big
moment Like it was it was a big momentfor me I just was so proud of it and
(04:39):
it was the first that I've ever doneThe first shoot I've ever done with a
set build which I've wanted to for solong and honestly like I the shoot And
the process of building out that worldwas more fun than the actual photos.
Like in my, that's how it feels to me.
Like, I think because I, um, I justwant to do it again and see like
(05:00):
what, how far I can go and what Ican make, like, that's the fun of
it now, which is so interesting.
Cause that wasn't always the case.
That's so interesting to hear becauseI was listening to you did an interview
about like three years ago and it waskind of talking about you were in a
lull of a moment and how, um, you werejust taking anything to get the bills
(05:22):
paid and then seeing you three yearslater and being able to do create
your visions and create a world into areality and being like the only choice.
I mean, I don't know you, butI'm proud for you already.
That is so incredible.
Thank you.
Um, when you get picked for a joblike that, how do you put the pieces
(05:44):
together without getting overwhelmed?
Do you create like avision board, a mood board?
I think, I, it's more overwhelming tome to, to, to start from nothing when,
like, when there's an open brief, Ithink that's way more stressful than
somebody bringing something to me.
Cause I, I live very well in a box.
(06:05):
I like.
I love a brief.
Um, it really helps me groundthe idea and build outwards.
Um, but in terms of my process,I just listened to the client.
Um, I hear what they want.
I ask questions.
I nailed down the logistics,like how many photos do we need?
How many looks do you want?
(06:26):
Where are these going?
What are these, what arethese being used for?
And that kind of informs.
It's the decisions I make after thatthat are a little bit more creative.
I always make a deck for every shoot I do.
It's like, I think I started thatat the beginning of 2023 and it's,
it's definitely a huge game changer.
It just.
This still is the idea and you printthe deck out and you just go off the
(06:46):
deck and it makes life a lot easier Um,it makes the day go smoother as well.
But yeah, I will do a mood board.
Maybe that's more theatrical andthen You know the brand or client
will give me their thoughts.
Give me their feedback We make anytweaks and then we just kind of go
from there I'm very easily overwhelmed,but I think experience You Just doing
(07:11):
a big campaign every few months.
Um, yeah, it's just kind of gotten meto a place where I know I can handle it.
Have you gotten to a place whereyou've, um, been able to tell people
no, and you don't have time for things?
I just recently it was the first timeever that I've ever passed on a project.
Um, I have a lot of Guilt,I had a lot of guilt.
(07:34):
I never wanted to say no because Iwas really and still am very hungry
Like I wanted it and I just knewthat like, I had to do everything
possible, um, to get where I wantedto go and just shoot, shoot, shoot.
I think in the past year, my time isjust really, it's spent on editing
(07:58):
and that's really time consuming.
You know, it's draining.
Like physically sitting at a deskand like having to do it for like
12 hour days all week, like editing.
Um, and so I think my timeis just less open these days.
Um, especially since, you know, I travelback from LA to New York and then to
(08:19):
Philly and then, you know, all around.
Um, but yeah, I passed on a project forthe first time and it felt really good.
Uh, I don't know if I, Idon't know if that's, yeah.
Yeah, it felt really good.
Like, it felt great because I just kindof like knew I didn't have time for it
or the bandwidth and it didn't, you know,align and I just needed to pass on it.
(08:40):
And it felt good because it feelslike you really are stepping
into your profession, you know?
Yeah, definitely.
But I really try hard not to pass onthings because I want everything work.
Mm hmm.
I feel that.
Do you have, um, a group of people thatyou trust to help you when creating
these images or creative directing,or do you keep it pretty small?
(09:03):
How do you know, like, how do you createa relationship with someone that you
know you can end up working with them andtrusting them on one of your projects?
I feel like I have been really reluctantto building a team up until recently
just because I felt, I felt likewhere I was financially, where I was.
(09:24):
Even just like not spiritually,but like as a person, as a, as a
business owner, um, I felt like Iwasn't ready to like bring people on.
And I also just, I have ADHD, so managing.
People like relationships with peopleis just always been difficult for me.
I have really bad organizationalskills and time management.
(09:46):
But recently, um, I've been a littlebit, I've been better at it and I
think it's, it's paid off in a big way.
I think also just on Instagram is the waythat I get connected with a lot of them.
Sometimes it's not though.
Sometimes if a client will.
A client hires me, I'll ask, like, doyou have a producer to recommend, but
experience, like the more jobs I do, themore people I meet, the more people I
(10:09):
really like, um, and I, I, I'm really likeloyal in that sense, like, because of the
ADHD element, like, I don't, once I findsomething that works, I'm going to use
them over and over again and use that.
Process over and over again.
So my assistant Mariana has beenwith me on and off for, I think,
two and a half years, almost three.
(10:29):
And just recently we've started workingtogether in a more consistent way.
Byron, uh, the, you know, the guywho lights for me, we work together.
I was paired with him randomlyon bands, um, in 2022 and.
I just used him again on Adidasand then again on, uh, Athena.
And I'm so excited for the next one.
(10:51):
Um, yeah, it's just, and if you're onInstagram, like if there's somebody
you want to work with, like shootthem a DM, compliment their work,
give a specific compliment, just beconsistent and show them love, you know?
Yeah, definitely.
I'm a big proponent ofreaching out and DMing.
Um, that's how I've gotten likemost of my relationships doing
(11:12):
music and things like that.
It's just, Asking and thenseeing if they're down to do it
How have you always had such?
a thing for color your colorsare very specific and very Like
whenever I see an image, I know it'sanna and was that something that
(11:33):
you planned on doing or did that?
Do the colors just come naturally to you?
Like I know like whenever I seelike a certain kind of grass
like that green that you have.
Oh my god Yes, that's her Um, sothe colors are very innate, like
I, they're innate, like I don'treally plan my color grades ever.
(11:57):
It usually just go off of what theraws look like, what the lighting
was, the time of day, and thenwhatever the brief I'm given.
But yeah, my color preferences, likeit's just every single time that
green looks the same and I don'teven know, I couldn't tell you,
um, like what, Like hex code it is.
I couldn't tell you whatthe, how to get there.
(12:17):
I know how to get there.
Like I know the tools I use tomake it, but I don't, it's just,
it's like an automatic thing.
I see a green and I likeimmediately go there.
It's um, I think my aversion to likewarm tones, I think is what gets me to
these like cooler, more vibrant greensand blues and pinks, like I'm, I just,
(12:39):
I automatically go for the like more.
Cool tone version of something.
Um, yeah, it's so funny.
That's so funny.
People what happens recently, likereally about the color grading.
Yeah.
How specific it is.
And now I like kind of want tobreak out of it a little bit.
I want to start shooting morelike darker stuff with more black.
(13:01):
Just to see, I remember seeingthe, um, model tour, I think
it was her EP zero zero one.
And it was very much,it was very cool tones.
And I saw that and I was like, Oh mygosh, she, like, to me, you are the it
girl of, uh, our generation in, like,photography and creative direction.
(13:22):
And I'm not just saying that to, like,boost you, but, like, legitimately,
anytime I see a new picture, I'm like, I'mlike, of course it's Anna, she's a part of
this, even when it's not from your page.
Like, following Chloe Cherry for solong, and her aesthetics and images, and
then seeing you being a part of that,I'm like, it all comes together, and I'm
just like, I'm so excited for you andI'm so happy that you're like doing it.
(13:46):
Thank you.
That's really nice.
I, that's really, really kind.
And it's like a goodreminder that I don't know.
It's a nice reminder that I'mseen that way, perceived that way.
Cause I think I get really overwhelmedwith everybody who's working right now
and all the amazing talented peoplethat are out there and the people, my
heroes, you know, like chasing theircareers and wanting what they have.
(14:11):
One day.
So it's nice to know that I've,I've made a little bit of an impact.
It really does mean a lot to me.
Like this was my dream.
Yeah, definitely.
Like for me, pop palace, um, like,so a little bit personal about me.
I'm a queer person in Oklahoma.
Not a lot of that.
So I use, like, I always grew upseeing like people in pop culture,
(14:33):
almost as like superheroes where Icould see myself in their space, like
use that as like a confidence boost.
And I think.
A big part of it is not just themusic or what they're doing, but it's
how they're presented in images andpictures and the creative direction.
And you just encompass that sowell that I was, you're like
(14:55):
pop palace royalty around here.
Anybody that knows me, I'm like,I've been telling everyone, I'm
like, Ana said yes to an interview.
So excited.
That is so kind.
I also love pop culture, by the way.
I'm I, I don't ever really post about it.
If I usually will post an opinion onlike pop music, I'd delete it usually.
(15:16):
Cause like, I don't, the thing isthat if you want to get hired by these
people, you don't want to have like arecord of something you've said, but
I have extremely strong opinions andall my friends know, like the second
I see them, I'm like, chaperonesdoing this Taylor Swift just did this
Dua Lipa is like, I just like willliterally go off the list and update
them on what I'm thinking later early.
These are literally my favoritekinds of, uh, media to consume.
(15:39):
So, and so, yeah, um, speaking of media,do you consume other media, like written
media, TV that give you inspiration?
That's not just, um, or saylike images or visual images.
It's funny because I've been in sucha work mode this year and so busy.
I've like, I stopped listening tomusic outside of like the obvious
(16:02):
pop girls, which I've never really.
Cared for that to be like my whole,the only layer of my discography.
Um, and I ha and I wasn'treally watching anything either.
I also, I have to, and also just likeour phones and like scrolling on Tik Tok
and Instagram reels is such a nightmare.
Um, and I'm like really tryingto like intentionally consume.
(16:25):
Uh, more creative, longer form media.
I'm heavily inspired by movies.
Um, it's funny, the,the Athena club shoot.
I, as I was editing it, I wentinto Philly to see a rescreening
of the Virgin suicides.
And then I started immediatelyreading the book and like living
(16:45):
inside of this, like, This world.
And it really did informa few of those images.
They're the ones that kind of stand out.
They're not like, they don't looklike they're taken with flash.
I don't even think I really postedthem because I'm kind of saving
them for their own little moment.
They're out there though.
Um, just like dreamier,like milkier, like softer.
And it was the first timethat I'd ever done that.
(17:06):
Like let this like visual world Fromsomewhere else, like living inside of
it to inform what I was working on.
And I really, really enjoyed it.
Like, and I think I want to do that more.
Um, cause it really did help.
But I just think it's a nice wayto like break your own patterns.
Cause like the, you know, mycool tone green grass is great,
(17:26):
but you know, I want to push.
The envelope always in termsof like, it's so funny.
Tim Burton movies are my biggest, likethey just have been my whole life.
The biggest visual inspiration.
And I think looking at mypage, you wouldn't know that.
It's so odd.
(17:46):
And I think that's kind ofwhere it's where I want to go.
Like darker.
I don't know why the color isjust like, can't, like, I can't.
Get over the urge tomake everything colorful.
But then when I do go darker,I'm even more in love with it.
Um, I think it was just a lot oflike working with people who wanted
(18:06):
the color and then it like compoundsand everybody wants the color and
you just don't really have a chanceto like do your personal stuff.
Um, but yeah, I'm trying to think like.
What other movies?
There's been so many.
I'm like an avid Letterboxd user.
Like, I log every single movie I watch,and I'll write reviews from time to time.
But, I'll always, or I'll write likea, I'll write like either paragraphs,
(18:28):
or I'll write like two words.
Like, so good.
Love it.
Um, so yeah, I love movies.
I'm inspired by, uh, like, like,for example, Caroline Palachuk's
visual identity for the lastalbum, last two albums, actually.
And then like Wiseblood, all ofher visuals, like, I'm like really
(18:48):
inspired by Creative Direction,um, for like, like album rollouts.
Cause that's another, that's likereally what I want to do one day.
Um, at least once.
So I love, um, FKA twigs.
I love her album rollout.
I'm so excited for Usexua.
Yeah.
Good.
Right.
Oh my gosh.
So good.
Would you ever ranch out intothe, uh, movie or film world?
(19:12):
It's my, it's like a dreamof mine to write, a dream, to
write, to write something, orto make a short film directing.
I wanted to direct before I wanted to bea photographer, I just knew I had access.
I didn't, I just wasn't likethe natural progression of like.
Where I went.
I don't know like photowas just right there.
(19:33):
I knew I could do it.
I had the skill set Um, but I've alwayswanted to direct I naturally direct
when I when I shoot and I've said thisto directors on set like I like what I
can never do you do They're like, yes,you do you do it like could I know I
could it's just like I'm not there yetfor whatever reason I'm not there yet.
But yeah, the answer is yes heavilyI'll be at the premiere, clapping.
(19:57):
I hope.
I see it.
I envision it for you.
Speaking of movies, youworked with the Barbie movie.
How was that and how did that come about?
Um, it was crazy.
It was really wild because I didn't,obviously I didn't see the movie
(20:18):
before it came out, but we shot it likesix, seven months before it came out.
Um, And, you know, I was working withBarbie and Vans and they, the Vans
team reached out and I'm put togethera fantastic pitch deck with a really
well thought out idea and I wrote, likeI write, I like to write, so I wrote
(20:40):
like, um, just like really descriptive,um, Notes about what I was trying
to do for the theme and they, they,they got the job and I, you know, we
went back and forth on location andthen just like, yeah, we shot it.
It was, um, I, at the time Barbiewas doing a lot of collabs with
(21:04):
brands just to expand the medianet that they were casting.
Um, And yeah, I think the craziestpart about it is that when I did
finally see the movie, I was like,holy shit, like, I literally nailed it.
Like, I, that was like,the craziest part to me.
(21:24):
Not like to my own harm, butlike, I, I just, I think it was
just from watching the YouTube oflike the BTS of the set builds.
Mhm.
Naturally where I was at that point.
In my like career and the stuff thatI was making, but like the colors,
the sky, I was like, holy fuck.
Um, they hand painted thatgiant backdrop for Barbie world.
(21:47):
And I had used a hand painted backdropfor the first time on the van shoot.
And I've since only used hand paintedof them, like hand painted canvas.
It's like my favorite andseeing how large that That, you
know, soundstage was painted.
I was like, that's the goal.
Like that is literallywhat I want to do one day.
Um, so yeah, it was, I was really like,Really, really proud of myself for that
(22:13):
one, I think, and like good on bands forknowing who to pick for that, you know?
Yeah, definitely.
Did you get to go intothe Barbie house sets?
No, no.
Um, I don't even, I don't even, I don'teven think I spoke to Barbie directly.
It was awesome.
Cause they were delegating all of these,they were just like delegating their
(22:34):
IP basically, um, to other brands.
But I literally wish,like I literally wish.
Yeah.
Like, I can't imagine.
I.
Like all the fake grass and likeeverything fake would be just so fun to
like run around and pretend to be a kidagain Yes, seriously, like that set is
the is the goal not like the physic out.
(22:56):
There's a bug on my wall crawling.
That's so Yeah, that's like the dreamlike that's why shooting in a set
for juicy was so I just I never wantto shoot Not in a set ever again.
Like I just, I want to build sets forevery, I just, I have so many ideas for
like rooms I want to shoot in and windowsand like carpet and like just random shit.
(23:21):
Like production is,production design is so cool.
So fun.
Um, have you had a favorite, well, hasthere been a brand that you've worked
with that has Um, the results have beenyour favorite within like the end results.
Personally, I was obsessed withyour Steve Madden campaign.
(23:42):
That was one of my favorites.
I didn't really edit those.
Like I didn't really edit them.
They, all of the like CGI orwhatever was done by somebody else.
I didn't really edit them.
Like I just took really great raws thatwere, you know, with a wide angle lens
and good lighting on the green backdrop.
And then I did my own retouching pass.
(24:03):
And then they kind of did the restbecause that was my first big campaign
and I think the producer of thatone really had to convince them
to hire me because I was kind of
Just yeah, I was new, you know, I didn'tI had didn't have one under my belt
So it was a little bit of a risk so Ishowed up not fucking around I knew that
I had to prove myself in that moment.
(24:25):
Um So yeah, thank you for sayingthat, but I like, didn't do it.
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
You told me, but I didn't.
Yeah.
Definitely.
To answer your question, I don'tknow, I know I have something
that I'm just not thinking of it.
I would like, my favorite outcome,I literally want to say the stuff
that I worked on a few days ago.
(24:47):
That like, isn't out yet.
I think that's all, if you were to askthat six months ago, I would have told you
the thing that I was working on then too.
So I have like amnesia, I can'tremember anything that I've done.
I think with the bigger campaigns,it's like, it's like I've yet to
really hit something because Ithink there's a lot of restriction.
(25:08):
Working with, uh, clients and my modewhen I'm working with client is just to
please the client, like whatever theywant, you know, whatever they want.
I'll add my, my thing to it,but like really the goal,
you have to make them happy.
That's how you buildgood client relations.
Right.
Um, but I feel like I've yetto really like love one of
my bigger campaigns, I think.
(25:31):
I also love the Edie Parker campaign.
Yeah, that one was a good one.
I really, I really was really proud.
Thank you for saying that.
I was really, um, proud of, of those.
Cause again, that just came from a DM.
Like I, I DM'd her.
I DM'd her card director.
And we just had like a meeting and likea few months later we shot our first one.
(25:51):
And then we shot our second one.
I like those.
I like, I don't know why I'm sohesitant to say what my favorite is.
I feel like I should be sayingsomething specific, but I
don't really have one in mind.
Is there um, a brand or a person thatcould be like past or present that would
be like your ultimate dream to work with?
(26:12):
I know it's like a big question, but I'vethought about it millions of times and
my, my answer has changed over the years.
Firmly, like firmly, um, CarolinePolachek is a huge one for me.
That would be like, okay, I made it.
I'm good now.
Um, same with a wise blood.
(26:33):
Um, and they work with some likereally incredible creative people.
So it would be like, so affirming.
Um, there's like other people though.
I, and other brands, I thinkNike was always my number one.
Um, It's a little bit harder totap into Nike, I think, but also
it's like not that difficult.
(26:54):
It's almost happened once.
Um, and Nike is shooting things allthe time, so I know it will happen, but
like, I want like a big Nike moment.
Yeah.
Um, I did Adidas, so I'm kindof like Team Adidas currently.
Um,
I've written them down.
I don't, I don't know why I can't think.
(27:15):
I have like bad recall.
I don't know.
I don't know.
At one point it was Jeffrey Campbell.
Um, at another point it was moon boots.
Uh, converse is one that I really want.
I'm kind of like all of it, like those,those will come, you know, I've like kind
of had to readjust my goals recently.
(27:37):
Um, so I don't know.
My main goal is just to make betterthing is to make better work.
Work that I feel like aligns withlike what I like in my normal life and
what I gravitate towards naturally,which is just like, you know, you'll
see, I guess, but I like get better.
Yeah.
Make better things.
(27:57):
That's my goal.
And whoever that attracts, likewhen I feel like I'm making my
most authentic work, like itwill attract the right people.
Yeah.
And I'm excited to see where that goes.
Definitely.
Yeah.
I mean, your work'salready like attracted.
I can, like, you could see the peoplethat are obsessed with it are coming.
And I love it.
Thank you.
Yeah, like, and I think for thefirst three, four years, that's
(28:21):
what I wanted, you know, I do feellike I've achieved the things that
I wanted to achieve back in 2020.
And I feel like it's timefor me to set new goals.
Would you ever Or not would youever but do you ever think about
being on the other side of thecamera more than being behind it?
I think for when I was younger, Iwas like i'm going to be famous.
(28:43):
I know i'm going to be famous I intendto be famous i'm built for fame Um,
and I just like my natural personalitydoesn't really Like invite that kind
of attention um, i'm a little bitmore like I don't like going out.
I don't like really, and it hasnothing to do with being seen.
(29:03):
It's like physically being out.
Yeah.
Being like in the world islike so draining for me.
I don't like it at all.
Um, and being, even being online, likeI used to post everything online and now
I don't really post that much anymore.
I like my personal stuffand I kind of prefer it.
So I just feel like if theopportunity arises, like I would
(29:25):
love to, I've always wanted tohave a show that I like interview
people on and just talk to people.
Um, but like, I don't know, I just, it'sjust not like, I don't see myself becoming
like a face, I guess, people care aboutas much as I would love to be that.
I think I know that like, I'msupposed to be like known for
(29:47):
my creative output, you know?
Mm hmm.
Yeah, and I think also in a sense likeyour creative output is boosting other
people so much that it's like withoutyour help then their images wouldn't
be the same and give like the sameenergy that it would by somebody else.
That's so kind.
Thank you.
(30:08):
I truly mean that like I'm notjust trying to like boost you
but like I'm honestly such a fan.
And I was so grateful that you came.
It really means a lot to me when peoplesend me messages and say that to me
because it's just like It's like allyou want, you know when you're making
something You just want people tofeel something and I think when you're
making it You don't really you know,you don't you don't know the impact
(30:30):
it's gonna have like once it's just out.
You don't really Trace that impact, youknow, so it's really nice to hear that
and thank you for having me on I'm reallylike I'm really honored and like humbled.
It's really nice.
I really appreciate it.
I hope that's I'm sorry.
I have one last question.
So at Pop Palace we each have ourown royal court They have musical
(30:51):
influences or culture influences.
So I was wondering Who would be on yourthrone and who would be in your court?
About like three people in your court.
Okay.
I think the thronecurrently is Chapel Rowan.
Yep.
Um, like everybody else, I'm so excitedfor her and just the type of personality
(31:13):
she is and like the, the, like thenewness and the freshness and just
like the rawness of her, I, I'm reallyexcited to see what music she makes.
I have opinions on what she shoulddo or who she should not work with
anymore and who she should work with.
I'm so excited.
I just want her to like combust, combustin on herself and like, you know?
(31:37):
I don't really think she has it.
Um, in my court, CarolinePolachek, honestly.
Yep.
Um, she's very open.
Like just like one of those people thatI feel like is so unique just based in,
you know, their ability and the way theysee and just like personality, like, so
(31:58):
in, um, Pat McGrath would be in court.
I love, I've loved makeup my whole life.
It's like my other interest.
Um, So yeah, she is like the queenof, I think she's a dame now.
Dame Pat McGrath.
Yeah.
She's the queen of makeup.
(32:19):
So maybe she should be on the throne, butlike, I want her to do Chapel's makeup.
I think she did.
I can't remember.
Maybe for the VMAs.
Maybe I just said that in my mind, likehoping that would happen, but I don't
think that's actually what happened.
But I want Pat McGrath todo her makeup really bad.
Um, who's the third person?
(32:40):
I don't know.
It's okay if you don't have one.
I like me too.
I'm going to go throughmy I know I have someone.
Um, who would yours be?
So, on my throne It changesthough, very frequently.
On my throne is Madonna, and then inmy court It should be in my court.
(33:05):
Yeah.
I don't know if that's Um, like Madonnais just like, the footprint, and a
kind of controversial opinion that Ihaven't been saying, but I think Chapel
is the closest thing we've had to aMadonna within Stardom Rise lately.
I agree.
And so Chapel would be on my court.
(33:25):
Love that.
Um, Lana will be on my court.
And then a little rare card,maybe like Trisha Paytas moment
for some, a little bit craziness.
Like for fun.
Yeah, just for like fun and silly.
Yeah.
I'm trying to think, I feel likeI just want to go with like a
musical artist I really love.
(33:45):
But like, I don't knowwhat he's done for culture.
That's okay.
I feel like you'd be like, Apex twin.
Yeah.
Um, Sam Gellatry or SG Lewis.
Okay.
Yes.
One of them.
But one of them will throw on like,yeah, that covers all my bases.
(34:07):
We have like music.
We have like art, direction and music.
We have makeup and wehave Like more music.
Perfect.
Oh, Sofia Coppola.
Oh, okay.
All woman court.
I love it.
Yes.
Yeah.
Yay.
I feel good with that answer.
Awesome.
Well, thanks again for comingand joining pop palace.
(34:30):
Um, where can everyone keep up with you?
Um, Instagram is just my name,Anna Koblish, K O B L I S H.
TikTok is Anastasia Koblinski.
I don't really post on there.
And then I have a secret makeup account.
I think it's like makeuplover699.
Um, and then yeah, that's pretty much it.
(34:52):
I don't think I post anywhere else.
But yeah, maybe I should.
I don't know.
I had a YouTube channel.
There's stuff on there, butit has been updated in years.
So that's me.
Awesome.
Thank you so much.
It was so great to meet you.
I really appreciate it.
Oh, nice.
This was such a lovely conversation.
I really appreciate,uh, you bringing me on.
It was really fun.
I also wore my Chloe Cherry shirt for you.
(35:13):
That's love.
What does it say?
It says Perfect Angel Girl.
Oh, love.
Is that her own merch?
Yeah, she has merch.
I was like, I had to get it.
That's so fun.
Thank you so much.
Thank you for joining me.
I'm so excited to have you.
Thank you for having me.
I'm so looking forward to this.
Of course.
So a little bit about Pop Palace.
Um, we focus on celebratingiconic women and LGBTQ people in
pop music, but also pop culture.
And so when I first started, um,the idea of Pop Palace, We were,
(00:24):
like, one of the first people thatI was like, I need to talk to.
Um, I've been following yousince, like, Mod Latour era.
Oh my god.
And, as a big Mod fan, I saw yourpictures and I was like, oh my gosh.
She gets it.
She's one of the girls.
And so, I'm so excited to have youas our first guest on the podcast.
Oh my god, the first?
(00:46):
Yeah, so, last season was, um, adissection of Madonna's discography.
Oh my god, wait, I have to listen to that.
Oh my gosh, it's, and they're alllike 10 to 15 minutes, so it's not
like such a commitment, but I wantedto talk to some people that are in
the real world and are, haven't beendoing it for 40 years like Madonna,
(01:06):
and so, some new perspectives, so.
Thank you for joining.
Yay!
for having me.
Yes.
So, um, for those of you who don't knowwho are listening, this is Anna Koblish.
She's creative director and photographer.
Um, can you just tell us a little bitabout yourself and your background?
(01:26):
Yeah, of course.
Um, I graduated from college in 2020.
At the time I wasn't studying photographyor really, I wasn't taking photos at
all or pursuing photography, but thepandemic really kind of enlightened me to
like, okay, so right before the pandemichit, I assisted for a photographer
(01:48):
and we were on set and I was like,That is what I'm supposed to be doing.
And then when the pandemichit, I was kind of forced.
We all had like nothing to do, but I wasat home with my sister and I just started
taking photos again for the first time.
And I think it was like eight years.
I hadn't really shot all throughout highschool and not through college either.
So I picked up the camerafor the first time.
(02:10):
In like a long time and I justdecided that I wanted to do it and
I did and four years later Here weare four and a half years later.
Here we are.
I love that so much.
Um, i'm all for Someone that i'mgoing to school for music business,
but I don't necessarily think that Ineed a degree to be in that business.
(02:30):
And I'm all for not feeling likeit's too late to start something.
Like I just started this inApril and I'm still continuing.
And, um, I love how far you'vemade it in just four years.
That's wild.
Um, What has been one of your absolutefavorite moments on a project so far?
Have you had like a, wow, thisis, I love what I do moment.
(02:52):
Yeah.
Um, I guess I can talkabout the most recent one.
I've had a few big ones.
Um, but the most recent one was the Athenaclub and Juicy Couture, uh, campaign
I shot, uh, in LA over the summer.
Um, the reason why I was so big to mewas because I art directed the Athena
(03:13):
club came to me basically, and theywere like, we just want you and we
want your ideas and we want your style.
And that's never happenedfor a big campaign.
Usually there's a few, likea few, just a few different
photographers up for the job.
You either have to pitch to get the job orthey kind of make a decision internally.
Um, so this was the first timethat they approached me and
(03:34):
there was no bidding process.
I just, I just had it and we justwent from there and it was really
special because they kind of gave mea loose brief of what they wanted.
You know, the name of thecampaign was the sweet escape.
And I think Gwen Stefani was on theoriginal mood board, but they really
let me play and We got to expandthe production value and we built
(03:56):
these sets and I, you know, I helpedart direct the sets and I really
did have my hands in every partof those images from the styling.
I picked all the clothes, thehair, the makeup, um, the makeup.
I kind of deferred to Kaylee whowas an unbelievable makeup artist
and I knew that I could trust her.
Um, cause like, I kind of, you know,you have an idea of what you want
(04:18):
when the model shows up in therein the outfit, things just change
with the lighting and everything.
Um, but the lighting I was really proudof, I have an incredible lighting team.
Byron Nickelberry is the, is mylighting director and he is just.
So talented and he really like pushesme and I don't know it was a really big
moment Like it was it was a big momentfor me I just was so proud of it and
(04:39):
it was the first that I've ever doneThe first shoot I've ever done with a
set build which I've wanted to for solong and honestly like I the shoot And
the process of building out that worldwas more fun than the actual photos.
Like in my, that's how it feels to me.
Like, I think because I, um, I justwant to do it again and see like
(05:00):
what, how far I can go and what Ican make, like, that's the fun of
it now, which is so interesting.
Cause that wasn't always the case.
That's so interesting to hear becauseI was listening to you did an interview
about like three years ago and it waskind of talking about you were in a
lull of a moment and how, um, you werejust taking anything to get the bills
(05:22):
paid and then seeing you three yearslater and being able to do create
your visions and create a world into areality and being like the only choice.
I mean, I don't know you, butI'm proud for you already.
That is so incredible.
Thank you.
Um, when you get picked for a joblike that, how do you put the pieces
(05:44):
together without getting overwhelmed?
Do you create like avision board, a mood board?
I think, I, it's more overwhelming tome to, to, to start from nothing when,
like, when there's an open brief, Ithink that's way more stressful than
somebody bringing something to me.
Cause I, I live very well in a box.
(06:05):
I like.
I love a brief.
Um, it really helps me groundthe idea and build outwards.
Um, but in terms of my process,I just listened to the client.
Um, I hear what they want.
I ask questions.
I nailed down the logistics,like how many photos do we need?
How many looks do you want?
(06:26):
Where are these going?
What are these, what arethese being used for?
And that kind of informs.
It's the decisions I make after thatthat are a little bit more creative.
I always make a deck for every shoot I do.
It's like, I think I started thatat the beginning of 2023 and it's,
it's definitely a huge game changer.
It just.
This still is the idea and you printthe deck out and you just go off the
(06:46):
deck and it makes life a lot easier Um,it makes the day go smoother as well.
But yeah, I will do a mood board.
Maybe that's more theatrical andthen You know the brand or client
will give me their thoughts.
Give me their feedback We make anytweaks and then we just kind of go
from there I'm very easily overwhelmed,but I think experience You Just doing
(07:11):
a big campaign every few months.
Um, yeah, it's just kind of gotten meto a place where I know I can handle it.
Have you gotten to a place whereyou've, um, been able to tell people
no, and you don't have time for things?
I just recently it was the first timeever that I've ever passed on a project.
Um, I have a lot of Guilt,I had a lot of guilt.
(07:34):
I never wanted to say no because Iwas really and still am very hungry
Like I wanted it and I just knewthat like, I had to do everything
possible, um, to get where I wantedto go and just shoot, shoot, shoot.
I think in the past year, my time isjust really, it's spent on editing
(07:58):
and that's really time consuming.
You know, it's draining.
Like physically sitting at a deskand like having to do it for like
12 hour days all week, like editing.
Um, and so I think my timeis just less open these days.
Um, especially since, you know, I travelback from LA to New York and then to
(08:19):
Philly and then, you know, all around.
Um, but yeah, I passed on a project forthe first time and it felt really good.
Uh, I don't know if I, Idon't know if that's, yeah.
Yeah, it felt really good.
Like, it felt great because I just kindof like knew I didn't have time for it
or the bandwidth and it didn't, you know,align and I just needed to pass on it.
(08:40):
And it felt good because it feelslike you really are stepping
into your profession, you know?
Yeah, definitely.
But I really try hard not to pass onthings because I want everything work.
Mm hmm.
I feel that.
Do you have, um, a group of people thatyou trust to help you when creating
these images or creative directing,or do you keep it pretty small?
(09:03):
How do you know, like, how do you createa relationship with someone that you
know you can end up working with them andtrusting them on one of your projects?
I feel like I have been really reluctantto building a team up until recently
just because I felt, I felt likewhere I was financially, where I was.
(09:24):
Even just like not spiritually,but like as a person, as a, as a
business owner, um, I felt like Iwasn't ready to like bring people on.
And I also just, I have ADHD, so managing.
People like relationships with peopleis just always been difficult for me.
I have really bad organizationalskills and time management.
(09:46):
But recently, um, I've been a littlebit, I've been better at it and I
think it's, it's paid off in a big way.
I think also just on Instagram is the waythat I get connected with a lot of them.
Sometimes it's not though.
Sometimes if a client will.
A client hires me, I'll ask, like, doyou have a producer to recommend, but
experience, like the more jobs I do, themore people I meet, the more people I
(10:09):
really like, um, and I, I, I'm really likeloyal in that sense, like, because of the
ADHD element, like, I don't, once I findsomething that works, I'm going to use
them over and over again and use that.
Process over and over again.
So my assistant Mariana has beenwith me on and off for, I think,
two and a half years, almost three.
(10:29):
And just recently we've started workingtogether in a more consistent way.
Byron, uh, the, you know, the guywho lights for me, we work together.
I was paired with him randomlyon bands, um, in 2022 and.
I just used him again on Adidasand then again on, uh, Athena.
And I'm so excited for the next one.
(10:51):
Um, yeah, it's just, and if you're onInstagram, like if there's somebody
you want to work with, like shootthem a DM, compliment their work,
give a specific compliment, just beconsistent and show them love, you know?
Yeah, definitely.
I'm a big proponent ofreaching out and DMing.
Um, that's how I've gotten likemost of my relationships doing
(11:12):
music and things like that.
It's just, Asking and thenseeing if they're down to do it
How have you always had such?
a thing for color your colorsare very specific and very Like
whenever I see an image, I know it'sanna and was that something that
(11:33):
you planned on doing or did that?
Do the colors just come naturally to you?
Like I know like whenever I seelike a certain kind of grass
like that green that you have.
Oh my god Yes, that's her Um, sothe colors are very innate, like
I, they're innate, like I don'treally plan my color grades ever.
(11:57):
It usually just go off of what theraws look like, what the lighting
was, the time of day, and thenwhatever the brief I'm given.
But yeah, my color preferences, likeit's just every single time that
green looks the same and I don'teven know, I couldn't tell you,
um, like what, Like hex code it is.
I couldn't tell you whatthe, how to get there.
(12:17):
I know how to get there.
Like I know the tools I use tomake it, but I don't, it's just,
it's like an automatic thing.
I see a green and I likeimmediately go there.
It's um, I think my aversion to likewarm tones, I think is what gets me to
these like cooler, more vibrant greensand blues and pinks, like I'm, I just,
(12:39):
I automatically go for the like more.
Cool tone version of something.
Um, yeah, it's so funny.
That's so funny.
People what happens recently, likereally about the color grading.
Yeah.
How specific it is.
And now I like kind of want tobreak out of it a little bit.
I want to start shooting morelike darker stuff with more black.
(13:01):
Just to see, I remember seeingthe, um, model tour, I think
it was her EP zero zero one.
And it was very much,it was very cool tones.
And I saw that and I was like, Oh mygosh, she, like, to me, you are the it
girl of, uh, our generation in, like,photography and creative direction.
(13:22):
And I'm not just saying that to, like,boost you, but, like, legitimately,
anytime I see a new picture, I'm like, I'mlike, of course it's Anna, she's a part of
this, even when it's not from your page.
Like, following Chloe Cherry for solong, and her aesthetics and images, and
then seeing you being a part of that,I'm like, it all comes together, and I'm
just like, I'm so excited for you andI'm so happy that you're like doing it.
(13:46):
Thank you.
That's really nice.
I, that's really, really kind.
And it's like a goodreminder that I don't know.
It's a nice reminder that I'mseen that way, perceived that way.
Cause I think I get really overwhelmedwith everybody who's working right now
and all the amazing talented peoplethat are out there and the people, my
heroes, you know, like chasing theircareers and wanting what they have.
(14:11):
One day.
So it's nice to know that I've,I've made a little bit of an impact.
It really does mean a lot to me.
Like this was my dream.
Yeah, definitely.
Like for me, pop palace, um, like,so a little bit personal about me.
I'm a queer person in Oklahoma.
Not a lot of that.
So I use, like, I always grew upseeing like people in pop culture,
(14:33):
almost as like superheroes where Icould see myself in their space, like
use that as like a confidence boost.
And I think.
A big part of it is not just themusic or what they're doing, but it's
how they're presented in images andpictures and the creative direction.
And you just encompass that sowell that I was, you're like
(14:55):
pop palace royalty around here.
Anybody that knows me, I'm like,I've been telling everyone, I'm
like, Ana said yes to an interview.
So excited.
That is so kind.
I also love pop culture, by the way.
I'm I, I don't ever really post about it.
If I usually will post an opinion onlike pop music, I'd delete it usually.
(15:16):
Cause like, I don't, the thing isthat if you want to get hired by these
people, you don't want to have like arecord of something you've said, but
I have extremely strong opinions andall my friends know, like the second
I see them, I'm like, chaperonesdoing this Taylor Swift just did this
Dua Lipa is like, I just like willliterally go off the list and update
them on what I'm thinking later early.
These are literally my favoritekinds of, uh, media to consume.
(15:39):
So, and so, yeah, um, speaking of media,do you consume other media, like written
media, TV that give you inspiration?
That's not just, um, or saylike images or visual images.
It's funny because I've been in sucha work mode this year and so busy.
I've like, I stopped listening tomusic outside of like the obvious
(16:02):
pop girls, which I've never really.
Cared for that to be like my whole,the only layer of my discography.
Um, and I ha and I wasn'treally watching anything either.
I also, I have to, and also just likeour phones and like scrolling on Tik Tok
and Instagram reels is such a nightmare.
Um, and I'm like really tryingto like intentionally consume.
(16:25):
Uh, more creative, longer form media.
I'm heavily inspired by movies.
Um, it's funny, the,the Athena club shoot.
I, as I was editing it, I wentinto Philly to see a rescreening
of the Virgin suicides.
And then I started immediatelyreading the book and like living
(16:45):
inside of this, like, This world.
And it really did informa few of those images.
They're the ones that kind of stand out.
They're not like, they don't looklike they're taken with flash.
I don't even think I really postedthem because I'm kind of saving
them for their own little moment.
They're out there though.
Um, just like dreamier,like milkier, like softer.
And it was the first timethat I'd ever done that.
(17:06):
Like let this like visual world Fromsomewhere else, like living inside of
it to inform what I was working on.
And I really, really enjoyed it.
Like, and I think I want to do that more.
Um, cause it really did help.
But I just think it's a nice wayto like break your own patterns.
Cause like the, you know, mycool tone green grass is great,
(17:26):
but you know, I want to push.
The envelope always in termsof like, it's so funny.
Tim Burton movies are my biggest, likethey just have been my whole life.
The biggest visual inspiration.
And I think looking at mypage, you wouldn't know that.
It's so odd.
(17:46):
And I think that's kind ofwhere it's where I want to go.
Like darker.
I don't know why the color isjust like, can't, like, I can't.
Get over the urge tomake everything colorful.
But then when I do go darker,I'm even more in love with it.
Um, I think it was just a lot oflike working with people who wanted
(18:06):
the color and then it like compoundsand everybody wants the color and
you just don't really have a chanceto like do your personal stuff.
Um, but yeah, I'm trying to think like.
What other movies?
There's been so many.
I'm like an avid Letterboxd user.
Like, I log every single movie I watch,and I'll write reviews from time to time.
But, I'll always, or I'll write likea, I'll write like either paragraphs,
(18:28):
or I'll write like two words.
Like, so good.
Love it.
Um, so yeah, I love movies.
I'm inspired by, uh, like, like,for example, Caroline Palachuk's
visual identity for the lastalbum, last two albums, actually.
And then like Wiseblood, all ofher visuals, like, I'm like really
(18:48):
inspired by Creative Direction,um, for like, like album rollouts.
Cause that's another, that's likereally what I want to do one day.
Um, at least once.
So I love, um, FKA twigs.
I love her album rollout.
I'm so excited for Usexua.
Yeah.
Good.
Right.
Oh my gosh.
So good.
Would you ever ranch out intothe, uh, movie or film world?
(19:12):
It's my, it's like a dreamof mine to write, a dream, to
write, to write something, orto make a short film directing.
I wanted to direct before I wanted to bea photographer, I just knew I had access.
I didn't, I just wasn't likethe natural progression of like.
Where I went.
I don't know like photowas just right there.
(19:33):
I knew I could do it.
I had the skill set Um, but I've alwayswanted to direct I naturally direct
when I when I shoot and I've said thisto directors on set like I like what I
can never do you do They're like, yes,you do you do it like could I know I
could it's just like I'm not there yetfor whatever reason I'm not there yet.
But yeah, the answer is yes heavilyI'll be at the premiere, clapping.
(19:57):
I hope.
I see it.
I envision it for you.
Speaking of movies, youworked with the Barbie movie.
How was that and how did that come about?
Um, it was crazy.
It was really wild because I didn't,obviously I didn't see the movie
(20:18):
before it came out, but we shot it likesix, seven months before it came out.
Um, And, you know, I was working withBarbie and Vans and they, the Vans
team reached out and I'm put togethera fantastic pitch deck with a really
well thought out idea and I wrote, likeI write, I like to write, so I wrote
(20:40):
like, um, just like really descriptive,um, Notes about what I was trying
to do for the theme and they, they,they got the job and I, you know, we
went back and forth on location andthen just like, yeah, we shot it.
It was, um, I, at the time Barbiewas doing a lot of collabs with
(21:04):
brands just to expand the medianet that they were casting.
Um, And yeah, I think the craziestpart about it is that when I did
finally see the movie, I was like,holy shit, like, I literally nailed it.
Like, I, that was like,the craziest part to me.
(21:24):
Not like to my own harm, butlike, I, I just, I think it was
just from watching the YouTube oflike the BTS of the set builds.
Mhm.
Naturally where I was at that point.
In my like career and the stuff thatI was making, but like the colors,
the sky, I was like, holy fuck.
Um, they hand painted thatgiant backdrop for Barbie world.
(21:47):
And I had used a hand painted backdropfor the first time on the van shoot.
And I've since only used hand paintedof them, like hand painted canvas.
It's like my favorite andseeing how large that That, you
know, soundstage was painted.
I was like, that's the goal.
Like that is literallywhat I want to do one day.
Um, so yeah, it was, I was really like,Really, really proud of myself for that
(22:13):
one, I think, and like good on bands forknowing who to pick for that, you know?
Yeah, definitely.
Did you get to go intothe Barbie house sets?
No, no.
Um, I don't even, I don't even, I don'teven think I spoke to Barbie directly.
It was awesome.
Cause they were delegating all of these,they were just like delegating their
(22:34):
IP basically, um, to other brands.
But I literally wish,like I literally wish.
Yeah.
Like, I can't imagine.
I.
Like all the fake grass and likeeverything fake would be just so fun to
like run around and pretend to be a kidagain Yes, seriously, like that set is
the is the goal not like the physic out.
(22:56):
There's a bug on my wall crawling.
That's so Yeah, that's like the dreamlike that's why shooting in a set
for juicy was so I just I never wantto shoot Not in a set ever again.
Like I just, I want to build sets forevery, I just, I have so many ideas for
like rooms I want to shoot in and windowsand like carpet and like just random shit.
(23:21):
Like production is,production design is so cool.
So fun.
Um, have you had a favorite, well, hasthere been a brand that you've worked
with that has Um, the results have beenyour favorite within like the end results.
Personally, I was obsessed withyour Steve Madden campaign.
(23:42):
That was one of my favorites.
I didn't really edit those.
Like I didn't really edit them.
They, all of the like CGI orwhatever was done by somebody else.
I didn't really edit them.
Like I just took really great raws thatwere, you know, with a wide angle lens
and good lighting on the green backdrop.
And then I did my own retouching pass.
(24:03):
And then they kind of did the restbecause that was my first big campaign
and I think the producer of thatone really had to convince them
to hire me because I was kind of
Just yeah, I was new, you know, I didn'tI had didn't have one under my belt
So it was a little bit of a risk so Ishowed up not fucking around I knew that
I had to prove myself in that moment.
(24:25):
Um So yeah, thank you for sayingthat, but I like, didn't do it.
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
You told me, but I didn't.
Yeah.
Definitely.
To answer your question, I don'tknow, I know I have something
that I'm just not thinking of it.
I would like, my favorite outcome,I literally want to say the stuff
that I worked on a few days ago.
(24:47):
That like, isn't out yet.
I think that's all, if you were to askthat six months ago, I would have told you
the thing that I was working on then too.
So I have like amnesia, I can'tremember anything that I've done.
I think with the bigger campaigns,it's like, it's like I've yet to
really hit something because Ithink there's a lot of restriction.
(25:08):
Working with, uh, clients and my modewhen I'm working with client is just to
please the client, like whatever theywant, you know, whatever they want.
I'll add my, my thing to it,but like really the goal,
you have to make them happy.
That's how you buildgood client relations.
Right.
Um, but I feel like I've yetto really like love one of
my bigger campaigns, I think.
(25:31):
I also love the Edie Parker campaign.
Yeah, that one was a good one.
I really, I really was really proud.
Thank you for saying that.
I was really, um, proud of, of those.
Cause again, that just came from a DM.
Like I, I DM'd her.
I DM'd her card director.
And we just had like a meeting and likea few months later we shot our first one.
(25:51):
And then we shot our second one.
I like those.
I like, I don't know why I'm sohesitant to say what my favorite is.
I feel like I should be sayingsomething specific, but I
don't really have one in mind.
Is there um, a brand or a person thatcould be like past or present that would
be like your ultimate dream to work with?
(26:12):
I know it's like a big question, but I'vethought about it millions of times and
my, my answer has changed over the years.
Firmly, like firmly, um, CarolinePolachek is a huge one for me.
That would be like, okay, I made it.
I'm good now.
Um, same with a wise blood.
(26:33):
Um, and they work with some likereally incredible creative people.
So it would be like, so affirming.
Um, there's like other people though.
I, and other brands, I thinkNike was always my number one.
Um, It's a little bit harder totap into Nike, I think, but also
it's like not that difficult.
(26:54):
It's almost happened once.
Um, and Nike is shooting things allthe time, so I know it will happen, but
like, I want like a big Nike moment.
Yeah.
Um, I did Adidas, so I'm kindof like Team Adidas currently.
Um,
I've written them down.
I don't, I don't know why I can't think.
(27:15):
I have like bad recall.
I don't know.
I don't know.
At one point it was Jeffrey Campbell.
Um, at another point it was moon boots.
Uh, converse is one that I really want.
I'm kind of like all of it, like those,those will come, you know, I've like kind
of had to readjust my goals recently.
(27:37):
Um, so I don't know.
My main goal is just to make betterthing is to make better work.
Work that I feel like aligns withlike what I like in my normal life and
what I gravitate towards naturally,which is just like, you know, you'll
see, I guess, but I like get better.
Yeah.
Make better things.
(27:57):
That's my goal.
And whoever that attracts, likewhen I feel like I'm making my
most authentic work, like itwill attract the right people.
Yeah.
And I'm excited to see where that goes.
Definitely.
Yeah.
I mean, your work'salready like attracted.
I can, like, you could see the peoplethat are obsessed with it are coming.
And I love it.
Thank you.
Yeah, like, and I think for thefirst three, four years, that's
(28:21):
what I wanted, you know, I do feellike I've achieved the things that
I wanted to achieve back in 2020.
And I feel like it's timefor me to set new goals.
Would you ever Or not would youever but do you ever think about
being on the other side of thecamera more than being behind it?
I think for when I was younger, Iwas like i'm going to be famous.
(28:43):
I know i'm going to be famous I intendto be famous i'm built for fame Um,
and I just like my natural personalitydoesn't really Like invite that kind
of attention um, i'm a little bitmore like I don't like going out.
I don't like really, and it hasnothing to do with being seen.
(29:03):
It's like physically being out.
Yeah.
Being like in the world islike so draining for me.
I don't like it at all.
Um, and being, even being online, likeI used to post everything online and now
I don't really post that much anymore.
I like my personal stuffand I kind of prefer it.
So I just feel like if theopportunity arises, like I would
(29:25):
love to, I've always wanted tohave a show that I like interview
people on and just talk to people.
Um, but like, I don't know, I just, it'sjust not like, I don't see myself becoming
like a face, I guess, people care aboutas much as I would love to be that.
I think I know that like, I'msupposed to be like known for
(29:47):
my creative output, you know?
Mm hmm.
Yeah, and I think also in a sense likeyour creative output is boosting other
people so much that it's like withoutyour help then their images wouldn't
be the same and give like the sameenergy that it would by somebody else.
That's so kind.
Thank you.
(30:08):
I truly mean that like I'm notjust trying to like boost you
but like I'm honestly such a fan.
And I was so grateful that you came.
It really means a lot to me when peoplesend me messages and say that to me
because it's just like It's like allyou want, you know when you're making
something You just want people tofeel something and I think when you're
making it You don't really you know,you don't you don't know the impact
(30:30):
it's gonna have like once it's just out.
You don't really Trace that impact, youknow, so it's really nice to hear that
and thank you for having me on I'm reallylike I'm really honored and like humbled.
It's really nice.
I really appreciate it.
I hope that's I'm sorry.
I have one last question.
So at Pop Palace we each have ourown royal court They have musical
(30:51):
influences or culture influences.
So I was wondering Who would be on yourthrone and who would be in your court?
About like three people in your court.
Okay.
I think the thronecurrently is Chapel Rowan.
Yep.
Um, like everybody else, I'm so excitedfor her and just the type of personality
(31:13):
she is and like the, the, like thenewness and the freshness and just
like the rawness of her, I, I'm reallyexcited to see what music she makes.
I have opinions on what she shoulddo or who she should not work with
anymore and who she should work with.
I'm so excited.
I just want her to like combust, combustin on herself and like, you know?
(31:37):
I don't really think she has it.
Um, in my court, CarolinePolachek, honestly.
Yep.
Um, she's very open.
Like just like one of those people thatI feel like is so unique just based in,
you know, their ability and the way theysee and just like personality, like, so
(31:58):
in, um, Pat McGrath would be in court.
I love, I've loved makeup my whole life.
It's like my other interest.
Um, So yeah, she is like the queenof, I think she's a dame now.
Dame Pat McGrath.
Yeah.
She's the queen of makeup.
(32:19):
So maybe she should be on the throne, butlike, I want her to do Chapel's makeup.
I think she did.
I can't remember.
Maybe for the VMAs.
Maybe I just said that in my mind, likehoping that would happen, but I don't
think that's actually what happened.
But I want Pat McGrath todo her makeup really bad.
Um, who's the third person?
(32:40):
I don't know.
It's okay if you don't have one.
I like me too.
I'm going to go throughmy I know I have someone.
Um, who would yours be?
So, on my throne It changesthough, very frequently.
On my throne is Madonna, and then inmy court It should be in my court.
(33:05):
Yeah.
I don't know if that's Um, like Madonnais just like, the footprint, and a
kind of controversial opinion that Ihaven't been saying, but I think Chapel
is the closest thing we've had to aMadonna within Stardom Rise lately.
I agree.
And so Chapel would be on my court.
(33:25):
Love that.
Um, Lana will be on my court.
And then a little rare card,maybe like Trisha Paytas moment
for some, a little bit craziness.
Like for fun.
Yeah, just for like fun and silly.
Yeah.
I'm trying to think, I feel likeI just want to go with like a
musical artist I really love.
(33:45):
But like, I don't knowwhat he's done for culture.
That's okay.
I feel like you'd be like, Apex twin.
Yeah.
Um, Sam Gellatry or SG Lewis.
Okay.
Yes.
One of them.
But one of them will throw on like,yeah, that covers all my bases.
(34:07):
We have like music.
We have like art, direction and music.
We have makeup and wehave Like more music.
Perfect.
Oh, Sofia Coppola.
Oh, okay.
All woman court.
I love it.
Yes.
Yeah.
Yay.
I feel good with that answer.
Awesome.
Well, thanks again for comingand joining pop palace.
(34:30):
Um, where can everyone keep up with you?
Um, Instagram is just my name,Anna Koblish, K O B L I S H.
TikTok is Anastasia Koblinski.
I don't really post on there.
And then I have a secret makeup account.
I think it's like makeuplover699.
Um, and then yeah, that's pretty much it.
(34:52):
I don't think I post anywhere else.
But yeah, maybe I should.
I don't know.
I had a YouTube channel.
There's stuff on there, butit has been updated in years.
So that's me.
Awesome.
Thank you so much.
It was so great to meet you.
I really appreciate it.
Oh, nice.
This was such a lovely conversation.
I really appreciate,uh, you bringing me on.
It was really fun.
I also wore my Chloe Cherry shirt for you.
(35:13):
That's love.
What does it say?
It says Perfect Angel Girl.
Oh, love.
Is that her own merch?
Yeah, she has merch.
I was like, I had to get it.
That's so fun.
Thank you so much.
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