Magda Corvinus is an alternative model & photographer located in Transylvania, Romania. She is a lover of all things dark and beautiful and enjoys expressing herself through modelling & photography. Her portfolio includes a great variety of different styles and unique looks.
1. Hi Magda, thank you for taking some time to chat with us! Let’s start by getting to know you a bit better, how would you describe yourself?
Hi, thank you for having me.
I would describe myself as a private person, maybe even a bit of a loner but with a mind full of weird ideas and dark fantasies. At the same time in my everyday life I consider myself to be very down to earth and an advocate for the right to express yourself and be who you want to be.
2. What lead you to modeling and how did it all start? Is it a career you always wanted to pursue?
I don’t think I ever said that I wanted to be a model when I was a kid, it kind of just happened I guess. I also don’t consider it to be a career, it’s just something I’m passionate about and an outlet for my creativity.
I had a friend that was very into photography and she would make me pose for her. She would dress me up, do my hair and makeup and take photos of me. I liked the result so I wanted more hahaha. I was very self-conscious about my looks and shy but when I saw the photos I saw myself as beautiful for the first time. I started working with a few photographers when I lived in Spain but nothing alternative just random stock photos and some fetish work.
When I return to Romania a few years ago I started learning photography and bought my first DSLR. Since I didn’t had the kind of models that I wanted to shoot I took photos of myself.
I started to post my photos online about 3 years ago, I made a page under the name Eternium Photography, the page was mostly (not so good) photos of me and other people, buildings, nature and experimental stuff.
3. You were previously known as Magda Eternium but changed it to Magda Corvinus. What’s the story behind your model name and why did this change happen?
About a year ago I realized that I want to do stuff that interests me more and I started to focus on alternative modeling so I made the page Magda Eternium.
I changed the name to Magda Corvinus simply because it represents me more. I made the page all about myself, my photos and my style. I choose Corvinus because I love ravens, vampires and I love the Underworld franchise, so there’s not a very deep meaningful story behind it.
Magda is just my real name.
4. Why did you choose the alternative side of modeling?
First of all because that’s who I am. I’ve always been the ‘weird girl’ dressed in black, listening to ‘satanic music’ hahaha.
I’m not the regular type of beauty, I’m not that tall, I have tattoos, piercings and I don’t really like mass media’s type of beauty.
I remember I was told by a photographer that I could be a model only if I didn’t get any more tattoos (I had one on my back at the time) and took all my piercings out. I was so disappointed until I learned about alternative modeling. I now can be whoever I want, express myself freely and that’s just amazing to me.
5. Can you give us a brief description of the alternative scene in your country?
I currently live in a small town and don’t really go out too much. I sometimes go to concerts or events but unfortunately they aren’t as many as I would like. In larger cities we have goth parties and events weekly and monthly. We also have a few good festivals during the summer. The alternative scene is relatively small but I feel it’s growing and internet is a great way to stay in touch, inform and educate people about the scene.
6. You have a great variety in your portfolio from victorian to punk. What is your favorite style to shoot?
I think people are very complex beings and I myself make no exception, I like different styles and I try to show that trough my photos. I can honestly not tell you what is my favorite style to shoot because it all depends on my mood. I do however keep a close connection to classic/traditional goth style.
7. I noticed that you are the photographer of your pictures as well. Do you prefer doing your own pictures over working with another photographer and why?
I have to admit I’m a bit of a perfectionist and there aren’t many photographers in my area that I like. I want to be in control of the shoot and I absolutely love to be involved in every aspect of it. I also consider this as a learning process, this way I learn more about photography, editing, styling, makeup, fashion, posing etc. I also find it more rewarding if I do it myself.
I have to give credit to my boyfriend as well, he helps me with the photography when I can’t do it by myself, especially outdoors.
8. Do you have a favorite photoshoot, one that left you with good memories?
I sometimes enjoy working with other interesting people so I have good memories from when I had visits from friends and we played around with clothes, makeup and all that.
9. Any concepts for future shoots that you’re just dying to try out?
Most of my photoshoots are spontaneous but I do have concepts in my mind all the time. I would love to work with different alternative brands, it would sure make it easier to make some of these ideas real because many times the problem is that I don’t have the clothes and accessories for them.
I do however try to improvise and manage with what I have.
10. Does this mean you are open to collaborations with shops and designers?
Yes, I would love to do collaborations with shops and designers. It would make my work so much more interesting and I would have the chance to play with different clothes and accessories. It’s difficult to be in this world and have a very limited budget and opportunities.
11. Where do you go for inspiration? Do you have an idol or someone you look up to?
I get inspired by too many things to count and I do follow most of the models and photographers from the scene. I do want to mention Dita Von Teese, Threnody In Velvet, Kat Von D, Lady Amaranth, Katrin Lanfire, Razor Candi and Mahafsoun as some of my favorite people to stalk online .
I also try not to copy anyone and be somewhat original and that’s not an easy thing to do.
12. What do you consider your biggest career highlights so far?
I think I’m relatively new to this and I don’t have any important highlights but I was very excited to get to be in the latest issue of Gothic and Amazing magazine. I found out that I’m going to be in the new calendar and this interview is also important for me.
I’m also an ambassador for the Althemy website and I was the lady of the month for August.
13. How do you dress in your everyday life?
Not very different from the photos, in fact I do sometimes post my outfit of the day. I don’t consider to be in a costume when I shoot, they are just clothes from my daily closet, maybe just a bit fancier. I love leather pants, boots (usually New Rocks or winklepiker style) and witchy jackets.
I do however work from home so when I don’t get out of the house I have simple clothes, usually dark grey t-shirt and leggings. I like to feel comfortable.
14. Name 3 things you can’t live without!
My laptop because I have everything on it from work to entertainment.
My camera, because I can’t go on without doing the things I love.
My prescription glasses because I get headaches If I spend too much time without them.
15. What can we expect to see from you in the future? Any special plans?
Not anything in particular (yet) but you can expect an increase in the quality of the photoshoots. I am still learning and I do want to improve in all the aspects that go in my photos so my main objective is a better quality of makeup, styling and edit.
16. Thank you for chatting with us Magda! To end this interview, do you have a message for your fans and our readers?
Just thank you all so much. I do love what I do and would do it even if nobody was watching but I have to admit that being appreciated for your work is one of the best feelings in the world.
And thank you Gothic and Amazing for the support and for doing all this, giving us a platform to show that there’s so much beauty in darkness.
