Here is my story...
Let's start from the very beginning...
I grew up in a small Ukrainian town by the sea. I have loved photography since I was a child. When I was 12 years old, my parents gave me a simple Canon digital camera. I would go out and photograph nature, the sky, beetles, and spiders in macro. As I grew older, my lens turned towards capturing stories in rusty door handles, bustling cityscapes, and my cats. In those days, there was not as much information available about how to photograph properly, so I learned by trial and error. Early on, I learned the technical side of photography by assisting a friend and I learned a lot that way.
My cat Fusik
Melitopol, Ukraine
2011
By my first year of university, I already knew that I wanted to pursue photography as a career. But my direction came to me later. I started shooting everything - love stories, individual sessions, fashion, events, and weddings. My love of landscape photography was still there, and I would go on various hiking trips and loved capturing mountains, butterflies, and other natural beauty.
During a hike on the Caucasus Mountains
Georgia
2013
When I moved to Lviv, my photography became more about people. I did individual sessions that I wanted to showcase the beauty of each individual. At the same time, I became interested in architectural photography, as Lviv has a unique architecture. I was also interested in fashion photography. After moving to Kyiv, I continued to do individual sessions and planned to continue doing so in the future. I wanted my work to look like works of art.
Lviv's architecture
Ukraine
2017
But in 2022, my vision of photography changed drastically. After the start of the war in Ukraine, my parents found themselves in occupied territory. I haven't seen them in several years, and I still can't see them. This made me realize that family is the most precious thing we have. I constantly ask my mom to send me old family photos, and I also look through our last selfie, which we took at the train station in Kyiv on February 24, 2022. I remember that I often didn't feel like taking pictures with my parents or taking pictures of them, and I really regret it. This experience solidified my mission as a photographer: to document and preserve the laughter, love, and unique spirit of families through visual storytelling.
My hometown Melitopol
Summer, 2017
That's why I want to focus on family storytelling. I want my shoots to tell the story of a family, like a book. I craft personalized narratives that capture the essence of each family – from the first gurgles of a newborn to the playful interactions of grandparents. Maternity sessions document the anticipation and joy of expecting parents. Newborn shoots celebrate the delicate wonder of new life. Family portraits preserve cherished moments, while elopements and love stories capture the sparks that ignite forever bonds.
I collaborate with each family to tailor their session to their desires, ensuring authenticity and timeless photographs that they'll treasure for generations.
My passion for capturing stories has been recognized in various international competitions like 35awards and Photocrowd. Additionally, my work has been showcased in exhibitions across my hometown. However, the most rewarding recognition comes from families who cherish their captured memories...
