Yanushka

“I want my photography to be raw, weird, and catchy…something that speaks to the souls of the beholders.”

Intercru: Where are you from? Where do you live and work now?

Yanushka: My name is Yana and I was born in Russia and I happily grew up there, but always knew I was meant to be an island girl so I moved to Bali (not on purpose, life changing decisions were made), where I have been living for the past 3 years. This place enriches and empowers. My heart belongs here and I’m lost for words whenever I go explore it. It’s an infinite source of being grateful for each living moment.

How did you get started in photography? How long have you been taking photos?

I got my first camera when I was 14. I loved filming but had never considered that to be bigger than just randomly taking pictures. I properly started digging deeper once I arrived in Bali. I fell in love and it got me into wedding/couples photography. The path was long and painful (synonym for teaching) at times, but I kept on reminding myself that it was all worth it. The process of learning and experiencing is the most rewarding one. You don’t have the right to give up unless you are not passionate about it anymore.

So it’s been 3 years. Right now I’m shifting my focus and have started collaborating with brands. I want my photography to be raw, weird, and catchy…something that speaks to the souls of the beholders!

What is the most important thing for taking the perfect portrait?

There is no such thing as the perfect portrait. I wouldn’t want to put it that way. As time goes by I have a more clear vision of what am I capturing. I think portraits of a person mirrors a creator at some point. I love to be an observer. I pay attention to the smallest of the details, the smiles, and sadness!

I seek for a narrative behind each of my work. I aim for creating an emotion in the viewers so they would freeze for some time when they run into my pictures, take a pause and find their own answers to the questions of life. The message is: if you still breathe, everything is possible.

What kinds of emotions do you try to use in your photography?

Two words that would describe me and my relation to this world - vulnerability and openness. I’m able to see the scars in people’s hearts, postures, the inner tragedy and the willingness to get healed. But I can also see the happy and positive vibes shining through the wrinkles and the corners of their mouths.

I’m very tactile and always up for a hug with the people that I work with. And sometimes with that embrace I’m saying, “You are not alone. I feel you. We are in this together.”

What do you do to find inspiration for your photography?

I’m very passionate about people, the chemistry between us, surroundings, and our place on Mother Earth. Being empathetic helps a lot to embrace the energies of humans, animals, nature, to accumulate and share back.

Also networking is one of the most powerful benefits when it comes to art. Learning, being able to step back and see how far you’ve gone and never stop trying to better yourself is what makes me remain alive.

But remember that there is no light without dark. Being at your lowest is fine. When you don’t feel like creating at the moment just let it go and don’t punish yourself. Instead listen to your inner voice and take care of your mind and body. Do what keeps your eyes shining. If you are still passionate about what you do, the right time will come and you are going to bloom again with new “scents” and approaches.

What is your favorite thing about taking photos?

Every picture tells a story. Interacting and showing versatile parts of human nature. Revealing the complexity in people and making them notice and accept it. Be it good in their opinion or bad, it makes you YOU!

I’m interested in mystery, intimacy, honesty, craziness, vulnerability, melancholy, and genuineness.

I want my work to be timeless, to trust my own gut, and to never stop showing the beauty of us…aliens.

Whether it be photography or any other form, speaking your truth = art.