Today we’d like to introduce you to Svetlana Peskova.
Hi Svetlana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Saint Petersburg, Russia. We moved to the United States in 2011 and made Miami, Florida our home.
I started photography in 2012, but it was more of a hobby at that point. My main subjects were my children and my relatives. Unfortunately, the feedback I was getting from everyone was that regardless of my talents, it wasn’t a stable profession and that I should concentrate on finding something that would bring in a stable income. It is regrettable that our society as a whole mostly deems artists in the concept of “starving artists” and that something like photography, while a wonderful source of expression, is no job at all. So I worked a regular job, which was in accounting but continued taking pictures in my free time, dreaming in secret, but also knowing that one day photography would become my primary work, business even!
In 2019 a personal tragedy has divided my life into before and after. The most important person in my life, the father of my children, passed away. It’s sad to think that that event is what pushed me to completely change my life, to realize how much value we let slip away unnoticed or too busy to enjoy and utilize, as we lead our everyday lives, and so I began living each day as if it were my last.
In August 2020, I quit my job as an accountant and, leaving sunny Florida behind, I moved my whole family to the beautiful city of Austin, Texas – a city that inspires me every day! It is in Austin that I started working as a photographer.
I strongly believe that by doing what you love, you can achieve everything, or at least a lot of what you aspire to. The inspiration is within ourselves, we just have to listen closely and feel deeply! Think less, feel more, don’t listen to what society dictates, trust yourself, do what you love – you’ll get there!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
For me, the most challenging part is constantly coming up with creative new ideas, products and locations that get my customers excited year after year. I’m constantly location scouting whenever I am out to find places that I think people I photograph would like. The people who hire me have very high expectations so I am always thinking about ways that I can surpass their expectations.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am portrait photographer. The portrait photography is an exciting process: it has many aspects, many pitfalls, it develops you not only from the side of photography but also from the side of communication that occurs during shooting. You communicate with interesting people, learn their stories, gain life experience. I love people, everyone has their story.
For me, photography is the most powerful tool for getting to know the world and the people who fill that world. I often getting to know a person because I am interested in him because I want to make a portrait of him.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Shoot for yourself, not for others. If you shoot with the aim of creating something similar to other popular images, collecting likes or comments, then you are not on the right track. This applies to all forms of art, especially when you are a beginner. Your main viewer is yourself.
Shoot what you love. Focus on the things that inspire you. It should bring joy to you in the first place. People will notice and appreciate your creativity and personality.
Pricing:
- Portrait photography: 1.5 hours -20 edited pictures- $300
- Events: 4 hours- from 70 to 100 edited pictures $450
- Families : 2 hours-50 edited pictures $300
Contact Info:
- Email: svetlana. p.photography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/svetlana_peskova_ph/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/svetlanapeskova.photography/
