I started my photography practice 17 years ago. First several years, I worked as a studio photographer. You know, a normal photographer, when you order a portrait, come to the studio, the photographer sets up the light and does a portrait and then does some retouch, and it's done.

After several years, my husband and I moved to Switzerland. And because I didn't speak the language, I gravitated toward fashion photography - people always spoke English on set, and I met a lot of amazing creatives and got myself in some top magazines too.

But when COVID hit, my business completely stopped. Small brands and boutiques that I loved to work with were hit the hardest. So I started to work more for the gallery and accept commissions. Most of them were other artists and designers.

I can the full circle, but I never forgot what fashion editorial taught me - I use it all the time in my portraits. So I would say my process is:

• Creating a custom aesthetic and creative vision of fashion editorial
• Adding an understanding of people's faces and body language as a portraitist
• And adding a pinch of mood with magic light, places, and props.

In photography, I like two things: first is seeing constant progress in how I master light, mood, and expression; second - being an artist of my community and a person who people turn to when they need to express, live through or commemorate something really important.