Can you give us a bit of background on how your career evolved?
My career as a photographer started relatively recently, seven years ago. It so happened in my life that I am not the only photographer in the family. My husband has been a professional photographer since his university days. He always took pictures of family holidays, children, took the camera on trips. So, his example inspired me and my eldest daughter to take up photography.
How did you discover your passion for photography?
A few years ago, my husband and I got into stock photography. I assisted him on the set, helped him come up with plots, worked on the design of the composition, but did not dare to pick up photographic equipment on my own. Once, during a summer vacation, I suddenly had a distinct desire to try to make beautiful shots. It was scary and difficult to start, but at the same time interesting. I wanted to prove to myself that I could handle it. Thus began my career as a photographer.
How hard has it been establishing yourself in the industry and what are some of the largest things you’ve faced?
I came into photography as an adult, having a huge experience of working with people behind me, because I worked in the field of education. However, it was very difficult for me to promote myself as a photographer. My indecision, a tendency to perfectionism affected. While other masters took orders from clients, for a long time I refused commercial shootings because I considered myself not a competent enough photographer. A lot of effort had to be spent on promoting myself as a photographer in social networks, on expanding the client base.
How has photography influenced or changed you as a person?
Since the beginning of my work as a photographer, I have revealed myself as a creative person. I realized that through photography I can convey to people my vision of the world, my attitude to beauty, to art. Participating and winning in various photo contests, I felt that my creative vision was interesting to the audience. It's inspiring!
Tell me about a time you had a very stressful day at work and how did you handle it?
Since I am engaged in creativity, my working day can last up to twenty hours a day. Especially if shooting outdoors because the weather conditions are unpredictable. Recently, together with a model, I traveled far out of town, to the lake, at night, in order to have time to shoot beautiful shots at dawn. We worked in cold water for several hours. In order to somehow warm up, they drank hot coffee from a thermos and arranged a jog along the coast. And immediately after filming, I began processing photos. The working day stretched until late at night. But I did not notice fatigue, as I was very passionate about the process. On this day, everything worked out for me thanks to my husband, who helped me organize the shooting, took care of household chores and did not forget to feed me a hot lunch.
What do you think the biggest misconception about you is?
It seems to me that the biggest misconception about me is that I never doubt. In fact, I am a perfectionist and therefore I always think about whether I took a good photo or if I can do even better. Every time I look for new shortcomings in my work and I am very worried.
From your point of view what makes a shoot successful?
For the shooting to be successful, you need to do a lot of organizational work. Make a checklist, assemble a team of professionals, assistants and be sure to clearly follow the work plan. And of course, you need a good, creative idea!
How did you move specifically towards portrait photography? Why portraits in particular?
As I said before, I started out as a food photographer. Having reached a high professional level in product and food photography, I decided to work with people. I wanted to try a new genre for myself - a portrait. In my opinion, this type of shooting is the most emotional and involves joint creativity between the model and the photographer.
You are a creative mind with an exceptional eye for detail, are you able to talk us through your process when creating your art?
I am constantly in creative search. All my emotions, impressions and experiences from films I have watched, theatrical productions, from painting, sculpture, architecture, from music I have heard, from travels, I transform into my ideas for photography. I pay special attention to details: color, light, composition, accessories. I carefully think over each image and write down everything that can help bring the idea to life, every detail, every little thing. I am also very attentive to the choice of specialists with whom I cooperate: make-up artists, stylists, hairdressers. It is important that the whole team share my aesthetic preferences, and work smoothly and clearly follow the plan.
What would be your advice to models looking to expand their portfolio?
To expand their portfolio, I would advise models to go to castings for different photographers more often, participate in various creative TFP projects even for free, prepare high-quality snaps and send them to different photographers working in different genres.
Where can our readers keep up with your work and get connected with you?
I actively maintain my account on Instagram and Facebook, post my work, send out and publish in various fashion magazines. Be sure to participate in photography competitions. Always open for interaction in everything related to photography and creativity
Photographer: Tasha Cherkasova @tasha.perm Model: Anastasia Feklistova @ma.intermodels @n.feklistovaa
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Julia Kopytova @juliakopytova_mua
You can read The MAIN ISSUE Vol. 30 here: