Uroš Rojc is one of those who believe and dare. Despite the fact that he is not a professionally trained photographer and comes from a small village between Nova Gorica and Ajdovščina, he is one of those who has already traveled a lot and completely enchanted with his work. That this is the case is due to years of practical work, amateur self-study and persistent pursuit of one's goals.
You recently returned from Warsaw, where you worked as a photographer for the sports store AveBMX. How, when, why?
I got a real taste of Warsaw for the first time when I decided to spend the 2010/11 academic year doing practical training abroad. A year later, AveBMX offered me the job of official BMX photographer, which I happily accepted and finally settled in the city. I spent almost three years with AveBMX, an organization working to develop BMX culture in Poland. The work was varied and almost never boring, as I photographed at their official competitions, trips with a sponsored group of "riders", and I also photographed sales products for the needs of their online store. The work was tiring, but I did it with pleasure, because it gave me a lot of latitude, which is still very useful to me these days.
You say that living in the Polish capital has brought you many creative opportunities. In which media can we see your work?
In Poland, my work was published in the magazine Bunnyhop, catalogs of companies such as DartBMX, and on the web portals The Come Up and Ride UK, and one of the photos even made it to the finals of the Red Bull Illume image quest 2013 and was printed in their honor book. A documentary about my life was also recently released. It was shot by my former colleague Mateusz "Usz" Kanownik, who believes that as a person who believed in his dreams and made them come true, I am an inspiration to everyone who, like us, was taken over by extreme sports photography.
Watch a documentary video about Uroš Rojac, which was filmed by his friend and former colleague Mateusz Kanownik.
Why did you decide to come home… where does the road take you next?
I just started missing home, friends and family. I believe that there are many opportunities for work in Slovenia as well, if you only know what you want and want. In the future, I want to work at home and abroad and continue my mission in promoting extreme sports through photography.
Why extreme sports?
They have followed me my whole life since my dad put me on a windsurf board as soon as I could raise a sail. Before that I skied, swapped skis for snowboards and finally cross country cycling for a BMX bike. I simply love extreme adrenaline sports and I can't imagine life without them.
Where do you see yourself in a decade?
Definitely still in sports photography, but I'll definitely be doing something else. Perhaps I see myself in the role of a photography teacher and creator of innovative products. There are many ideas and everything is possible.
You say you are a persistent self-taught…
I have completed two years of education at the higher school for photography in Sežana, but I have not completed my studies. I am one of those people who only learn what they are really interested in. I believe that I have gained the most in my profession through practical training through work and photography workshops and through self-learning with the help of the online world.
"There are many ideas and everything is possible".
What would you say to all young aspiring photographers who are just starting their photographic journey?
Although we seem to live in difficult times, there is always a way to achieve your goals. However, since nothing comes by itself, I believe that the work must radiate an identity that the creator forges for himself through a great investment of love and hard work.
See more of Uroš's photos!
