A bit of backstory:
Working with Ksenia has been one of the clearest examples of how a client’s trust can lay the foundation for exciting and, dare I say, life-changing results.
Beautiful photos are great — and I know how to create them.
But I also have a knack for quickly “reading” people. Those who are open to my feedback and willing to experiment with their image often end up changing not only their appearance but also their whole outlook on life.
Ksenia came to me with an interesting request:
“Photos are VERY hard for me. I always feel vulnerable and unnatural during shoots. Most photographers who’ve worked with me saw me as this feminine, overly sweet blonde — but that’s just not me.
What I’m hoping for from this shoot is to find a balance between how I look and who I really am”.
Ksenia wrote:
“I came to you because your photos capture not just images,
but the personalities and stories behind them. These people are real. It seems to me that only someone truly brave, honest, and sensitive can see like that.”
The first thing I said to her when I saw her in the studio makeup room:
“I think you need a short haircut.”
The second:
“Let’s try photographing you in my clothes.”
And so, we did!
The shoot went so well that an hour in the studio didn’t feel like enough, so we decided to continue outside. We bummed cigarettes, ran through the rain, laughed, and warmed up with coffee in a local pastry shop while chatting endlessly.
The more I listened to her story, the more I marveled at how so much strength and determination fit into this delicate blonde.
She’s completely self-made, with an impressive career and education, and has overcome life challenges most people can’t even imagine.
There was nothing “sweet” or “cutesy” about her.
Ksenia admitted that she hates being photographed, but she chose to have a session with me after coming across my blog. She realized we shared a lot of the same values and mindset (spoiler: she was right).
Ksenia’s reaction to the results exceeded all expectations:
It truly captured her
with all her inner strength and drive
But we didn’t stop at just one shoot
(remember that advice about the haircut? You guessed it!).
A few months later, we decided to photograph Ksenia again, but this time with her new look (she admitted that she had booked a haircut right after our first session.
I saw a completely new Ksenia — no trace of the old dramatic notes remained. Instead,
there was boldness, freedom, and energy.
Capturing all of this in the photos became our goal.
Ksenia’s words:
“Honestly, I think you understood the image I was seeking faster than I did myself.
As long as I can remember, I’ve always been seen as this 'cute girl.' And while there’s nothing wrong with that, damn, that’s not who I am, and I’m pretty tired of living up to others’ unfulfilled expectations.”
“Meeting you was about much more than just photography.
It was about being honest with myself, having courage, and reflecting deeply.Within seconds of meeting me, you suggested a haircut. Ten minutes later, you gave me your clothes and earrings. And the second shoot? That was *%!”!.
I would never have dared to try this in my life.
Red. Leather thigh-high boots. A leather coat.
And yet, I felt completely natural and confident in it.”
“Our meeting came during one of the hardest periods of my life in recent years.
For me, you became the energy that helped me push off from rock bottom.
Thank you for introducing me to myself.”
P.S.
In six months, Ksenia’s colleague Dasha had her own shoot with me (more about that here).And after one of their company events, Dasha sent me this message:
(published with permission from the girls)
…and there was a third shoot!
I’m so grateful to Ksenia for her trust and willingness to share her story!
Since then, we’ve become friends, acquired matching earrings, shared countless confessions, and I even got to live with her amazing, grumpy cat for a while.
But that’s another story…
And now I invite you to join your personal experiment!
Discovering yourself, your strength, and of course, your beauty.It won’t hurt (I promise) — but it will definitely be interesting!
Trust me