I love photographing people in their own spaces. When we shoot where a person lives or works, everything around them becomes an extension of their personality. A portrait immediately gains volume — a story appears. We don’t just see the person, but the way they manifest in the world.
In this case — her manifestations.
Katya is a talented, distinctive artist who lives and works in Novi Sad, Serbia. She invited me to photograph her in her studio — the place where she creates her paintings.
Katya’s website is here.
Katya
Katya is a talented, distinctive artist who lives and works in Novi Sad, Serbia. She invited me to photograph her in her studio — the place where she creates her paintings.
Katya’s website is here.
Before the Shoot
Before the shoot itself, we spent almost an hour talking and drinking coffee. This is an important part of my process: I always ask about previous experiences — what someone liked, what created tension, and what they expect from the shoot. It helps me see the person more fully and understand what to pay attention to.
Connection with the subject is the foundation of any shoot.
We also talked about artist statements — and how difficult it is for many artists to write about themselves. Katya said that my texts are not just an addition to the photographs. They’re a separate genre.
And it’s true: I often accompany my shoots with writing, because it lets me expand the volume that sometimes doesn’t fit into the frame.
For me, photography is only one facet of a story.
And the story matters.
Between a Sister and a Lover
I asked Katya what kind of vibe she wanted from the photos. How she wanted people to see her.
And she told me a story from art school: when they studied drawing the nude, their teacher said,
“You should draw the nude in a way that feels somewhere between a sister and a lover.”
That explanation stayed with me so deeply. Because in a way, it formulates how I see and photograph women — and I happily carried that phrase with me after the shoot.
Purpose of the Shoot
These photographs are important for exhibition curators, portfolios, publications, and online features. Artists need images of themselves and their work — especially when their paintings are purchased by people who have never met the artist in person.
We’re drawn to personalities. The creator and the creation are always connected.
The main task was to show Katya at work — as she is, without unnecessary staging, in the real environment in which she creates her paintings.
Process
Katya said, “You tell me how to sit, where to put my hands.”
And as always, I asked her first to sit however she naturally felt comfortable. I start from a person’s natural posture — and then gently suggest what to do next.
We started with her hair down, but quickly realized it was distracting. Katya usually works with her hair tied up, and in photos this looked much more honest — this is what her creative process actually looks like.
During the shoot, we didn’t rush and took pauses. I wanted to catch Katya’s rhythm so the photos reflected the real process.
About the Light
The studio is actually an apartment with a standard, not-very-tall window. The light fell beautifully only if you sat on the floor, while the paintings — standing vertically — stayed in shadow in their upper part.
I wanted to convey the feeling of a bright studio, so during editing I slightly lifted the brightness in the upper part of the frame — just a little, enough for that feeling to appear without losing naturalness.
About Editing
When I edited the photos, I tried to preserve the colors as much as possible, without correcting or recoloring anything — because the main goal here was to show the paintings as they are, not to show off my ability to apply a beautiful color filter.
Room for Experiments
I brought a flash to the shoot, and at the end I offered Katya to take a few shots with it.
It’s incredible how radically the overall vibe changes — suddenly Katya looks like she’s at a gallery event, appearing in a stylish arts column featuring her own works.
What Katya Said
Here’s the English translation:
“Ooooooh my god, so fast!!! Thank you so much! I’ll check right now ❤️ Finding you feels like discovering a treasure 🤍”
“Gooooood this is amazing!!? 🤤
10 out of 10, right at my fingertips
Just cosmic 🪐
You were right — the flash is unreal
Everything is perfect
I’m wildly impressed ❤️”
“Thank you, you’re a real magician ❤️”
The First Shoot in a Subscription Format
This shoot was also my first one in a subscription format — when we meet once a month for a shorter session than a classic shoot.
This helps build a relationship. As a result, the person feels more relaxed in front of the camera, doesn’t get as tired, and the photos are always regular and up-to-date.
This format is great for anyone who needs consistent content for social media — and for those who feel shy in front of the camera.
Very atmospheric, beautiful photos!