I am a Mother and a Photographer
Hello there, I'm Yuliya. I am a photographer behind Faces of The Earth, and a loving mother of two little humans. I am also a sensitive person, who feels deeply and is fascinated with life. My love for photography was born from my passion for traveling, exploring the diversity of cultures across the world, meeting all the different humans on my way and hearing their unique stories. I always loved using my camera to capture people in their most raw and authentic self-expression, doing things they love the most, those things that lit up that fire in their eyes. I believe each human brings their unique melody into the world, contributing to the collective orchestra. And photography is able to capture this unique melody and to preserve it forever. Japanese woman serving tea during the ceremony, with her face showing the most neutral expression and her eyes giving out a smile. Young couple dancing improv during the festival in Guatemala, with their movements completing each other's thoughts. Nicaraguan grandfather crossing the road with his cow in front of my van, with his jolly skip showing off his young and playful spirit. They are the Faces of The Earth.
Photo credit: China Carracedo Photography
Since becoming a mother, I have strong passion for capturing women on their journey of pregnancy, birth and motherhood. This transition from maiden to mother has left me forever changed and in awe of the unspoken strength of women and the mystery of life itself. I believe it is important for women to be witnessed during these rites of passage. And it is important to have these sacred times of our life documented, so we can reflect on them in future and relive our most precious memories through the visual stories. Photographs have the power to take us back in time, allow us to relive our memories in every beautiful detail.
Photography can also be a very therapeutic experience, as we are being gently witnessed and reflected at in the most beautiful way. Whether it's stretching our tired back during the final days of pregnancy, holding our partner's hand during birth, or breastfeeding our child in our old armchair. Photography is able to turn what we can perceive as mundane into pure art and aesthetic masterpiece, and reflect our true beauty back at us. I am here to be the witness and the reflector.
There is tremendous beauty hiding in every day activities, in authentic self-expression and the way we naturally relate with the world. While I dedicate some time to taking beautifully posed pictures during each session, I want to focus on the authentic moments and the essences of each human's personality. Prior to the session, I schedule discovery call with my client and optional meeting to get to know them personally and to build trust. This is an essential step for us to get comfortable with each other and for the client to feel natural in front of the camera. During the session, I encourage my clients to engage in the activities that are most natural for them and their family. This way they can focus on building memories during the session, doing things they love the most, being in their body and with their loved ones, while being gently witnessed and having their memories captured for them.
Because it is not just about taking beautiful photos, it is about capturing the feeling and building memories.
It is an honor to be invited into someone's personal space, into their home, and to be able to witness their relationships, their shared sacred moments. I fully understand that and I approach each session with my deepest respect and gratitude.