My approach
Here I explain in detail how a photoshoot with me works and why my photographs look the way they do.
If it matters to you to be yourself rather than to pose — this text is for you.
Hi, I’m Anastasiia, a photographer of living people
What does that mean?
When people come to a shoot with me, I don’t work with them like with models — “put your hand here, your leg there.”
“But wait, Anastasiia, ” you might say,
“I don’t know how to pose,
I don’t understand where to put my hands and legs,
won’t you tell me what to do?”
Of course I will.
But I’ll do it based on your natural movements, your vibe, and your comfort.
If you’re camera-shy — I’m here to help
Some people need a shoot to loosen up, others — to slow down and get in touch with more vulnerable parts of themselves.
Everyone comes with their own needs and intentions — and I guide the shooting process according to your request.
I photograph a person, not an object
I work with a real person, not an “object” in the frame.
The foundation of my work is personal contact — that’s why I prefer to have a coffee together before the shoot. It helps us tune in, get to know each other, and makes the shoot feel lighter and more relaxed.
Let me show you with examples
- Sometimes I say: you don’t need to do anything special. Just exist. You don’t need to decide anything.A photoshoot is, in many ways, about directing attention.
And that’s where I moderate the process. - My task is not to tell you what to do, but to create conditions where you relax and forget about the camera — to gently but confidently guide you through the process.
- And this is where the most interesting part begins:
you feel comfortable and curious, and I catch your natural states with the camera.And yes — if you’re slouching, I’ll remind you to gently stretch the crown of your head upward. Don’t worry 🙂
I tell you what to do, but not how to do it
I don’t like the idea of turning you into a template. A photoshoot is about you.
- I work with your body mechanics: I ask you to repeat your own natural movements.
- I flexibly adjust the tone to the vibe of the shoot — we can stand on our heads, or we can slow way down.
- I help you enter a state: “Who is this photo for? Imagine those people…”
→ this is especially relevant if you need photos to promote your services or for a CV.
What people usually come to me with
- “I want photos, but I don’t know how to pose.”
- “I want photos, but I’m not photogenic.”
- “I’ve never had a photoshoot before.”
- “I have a crazy idea.”
- “I want to relax and step out of my usual image.”
- “I want to get to know myself.”
- “I want to have a really good time.”
For me, a photoshoot is joy and pleasure.
I love working with topics that matter to you, and I love unusual and complex requests.
A curious thing about looking into the camera
You probably know that feeling when you try to make a “normal face” and stare into the lens for too long — to the point where your cheekbones start cramping.
That’s why faces in photos sometimes look so strange.
Here’s the thing: emotions on the face are very hard to freeze.
You smile — the muscles tense and relax again in a split second.
But when we try to hold an emotion on our face, it turns into a mask.
It’s always visible in photos.
The gaze also becomes glassy if you stare into the lens for too long.
But! That’s actually unnecessary.
Yes, during a shoot you don’t need to constantly look into the camera.
I often ask a person to look in another direction, and then say: “Now look at me.”
And at the exact moment when the gaze shifts — I take the photo. That’s it.
This way the image keeps a natural impulse.
I believe that a photographer is, in many ways, a host
I can make you laugh to get a photo with a real smile.
I can ask you to do something, to repeat your own movement.
And it will always be about you.
Book a photoshoot
To get in touch with me, please fill out the contact form below — I’ll get back to you shortly.