Sven Hansen-Løve press portfolio by Andrei Kovalev: a man's portrait is lit with soft, coloured lens flare.

Sven Hansen-Løve

I first met Sven Hansen-Løve, then a famous French DJ, on assignment for Illimité magazine in Paris.

A few months later, Sven called and asked me for a portrait. Not as a DJ this time, but as a writer about to debut with his first book, a collection of short stories.

Sven Hansen-Løve sits barefoot on a wooden crate between studio lights, in a white shirt.

A black-and-white double exposure of Sven’s face.

Sven, chin in hand, on instant film in blue and orange.

Sven Hansen-Løve sits barefoot on a wooden crate between studio lights, in a white shirt.

A black-and-white double exposure of Sven’s face.

Sven, chin in hand, on instant film in blue and orange.

A couple of years later, while working on his second book, Sven got in touch again. I shot a short film based on the novel, and Sven flew all the way to Tbilisi for a new set of portraits.

Sven sits among old stage props and scenery in a theatre store.

Sven writes at a lamp-lit desk in a black-and-white film frame.

Sven sits among old stage props and scenery in a theatre store.

Sven writes at a lamp-lit desk in a black-and-white film frame.

While supervising the shoot of A Perfect Job, Sven ended up in the frame himself.

Sven sits at a table, looking down at a fish in a glass jar, in black and white.

Sven walks across snow in front of a wall of tall reeds.

Sven sits in a dim theatre store among scenery and props.

Sven sits at a table, looking down at a fish in a glass jar, in black and white.

Sven walks across snow in front of a wall of tall reeds.

Sven sits in a dim theatre store among scenery and props.

Production crew

Stylist and assistant: Tatiana Almond · Special thanks to the Griboedov Theatre and the Take2 clothing store, Tbilisi

A collage portrait of Sven with a paper crown and torn magazine cut-outs.

A collage portrait of Sven with a paper crown and torn magazine cut-outs.

More of my work with writers and publishers →