How a Self-Taught Photographer from Gradiška Made It into Global Media

Editor’s note: This article is part of the HEDONIST archive and was originally published in 2020, in the first print edition of the magazine.

Berić’s view, seen through the lens, leaves no one indifferent. The moments he captures with his digital camera have been noticed by editors of photography platforms like 500px, as well as prestigious outlets such as National Geographic and Italian Vogue, which have published his work in their print editions. His photographs have also appeared in regional publications like Dani and FBL (Fashion Beauty Love).

This self-taught artist tells HEDONIST that he has been in love with photography for as long as he can remember - a claim supported by the stacks of photo albums in his home.

“Photography is my love and great passion! I experience it like any form of art. It’s a way of expression, of sending a message, an escape from everyday stress. Just as people paint or create music, I express my view of the world through photography. I find inspiration in dreams, books, films, and the work of other artists… I see frames in everything. Literally everything,” says the popular Kodžo.

Even he cannot pinpoint when exactly this passion took over. His interest dates back to his high school days, when he couldn’t afford a camera, so he began painting with tempera and later renting analog cameras. Every trip, concert, or festival became an opportunity to capture interesting moments.

“Back then, it was more uncertain. With an analog camera, you have fewer attempts, and you don’t know what you’ve captured until the photos are developed. You shoot a roll of film, go to a photo shop, and wait impatiently. Some shots don’t turn out as expected, while others surprise you. You really have to work hard to get what you imagined. With digital cameras today, it’s different than 15 years ago. But even now, only when you see the final image do you know if it’s right,” he explains.

He acquired his first analog camera through a barter - trading an aquarium with fish for it. Today, he remains loyal to his digital camera, often using a lens that is over 30 years old. He strives for his work to retain the feel of analog photography, with minimal editing or post-production.

“Painting and photography have a lot in common, and you have to follow certain rules. I never attended a photography school or course, but I guess I had a natural sense of aesthetics and some talent. Over time, I realized I had been following those rules instinctively. I learned the most from colleagues and especially from critiques by other photographers. I don’t run away from criticism - there’s a lot to learn from it,” Berić says.

The work of this professional pizza maker, currently employed at a spa resort in Slovenia, was first embraced by his hometown audience, then by a wider public. Through smaller recognitions, such as Photo of the Day or Month on the portal fotografija.ba, he expanded his portfolio. His work reached globally renowned photography platforms, passing rigorous editorial selection among more than 20,000 authors. He has been published in print editions of National Geographic and Italian Vogue. His artistic expression also led to notable collaborations, including with fashion designer Marko Feher, as well as work on various catalogs.

He has presented his work in two solo exhibitions, with invitations coming from Trebinje and Banja Luka. He is particularly proud of the exhibition “Three Years of Dreams” at the Homeland Museum in Gradiška, which he says was realized exactly as he envisioned.

“The exhibition exceeded expectations and was very well attended. It was initially planned to last about ten days, but due to high interest, it ran for a month and a half. That was my first real contact with the media, which was quite stressful,” Berić recalls with a smile.

He explains that good photography requires effort, work, and persistence.

“It also demands constant movement. It pushes you to go out, not to stay indoors or in cafés. You have to be on the move - it’s like a kind of sport. I get on my bike, ride for kilometers, and scout locations. You can’t predict what awaits you. I never know when a rainbow or a thunderstorm cloud will appear. Sometimes the shot finds you. My favorite photos are the ones that happen spontaneously,” he says.

Although he once tried to leave his hometown behind, he always returned. By his own admission, he created his best work in Gradiška, showing a unique sensitivity. Landscapes featuring the Sava River, the bridge, or decaying buildings stand out in particular.

“Light is the most important thing in photography - it’s literally ‘drawing with light.’ I love landscapes the most. Mystical landscapes, unpredictable conditions, fog, sunrises and sunsets, the way light breaks. That’s why I often shoot early in the morning or during the golden hour at sunset, when the colors are magical. I wait for the right moment for hours. In Jajce, for example, I woke up at 3 a.m. to photograph the waterfall. It took hours before I captured the angle I wanted, with the perfect light,” Kodžo explains.

He has also worked in conceptual and portrait photography, including nudes, and has photographed food due to his profession. His interests shift depending on his current creative focus, while he avoids commercial photography, such as weddings, except when doing favors for friends.

“The greatest success is when I create a photograph exactly as I imagined it. That makes me happy - but it rarely happens. I’m never completely satisfied,” he says.

He Doesn’t Care About Likes

Višeslav Kodžo Berić’s photographs are available on his Facebook and Instagram profiles, as well as on platforms like 500px, where he has reached over a million views.

“I don’t publish photos for likes. I find it unbelievable that someone would do anything just for likes - unless it brings them income. I belong to the ‘old school,’ and I don’t really like social media. I don’t have a clear answer for why I still post my photos, except that it’s simply what I feel when I look at them. Like when you hear a good song that gives you chills - you want to share it because maybe someone else feels the same,” he says.

Business Opportunities

The “pictures that speak more than a thousand words” have also brought Berić lucrative business offers. Among them was an opportunity to work as a photographer on an Italian cruise ship, which he declined at the time because he was running his own restaurant. Some offers he did accept, and he has mostly sold his photographs abroad.

• Written by: Ognjen Matavulj / HEDONIST
• Originally published in HEDONIST Magazine, Issue 01, 2020