arsvie logotype
me portrait about page
about me as photographer

Hi, there! 

I’M ELENA

A photographer, creative adventurer, online educator and woman in business cheerleader. 

I’m taking photos since 2007 

  and I love it!

old vintage camera

From self-exploration to creative self-expression 

My photographer’s journey started when I turned fifteen and got an Olympus analog camera as a Birthday present.

 I carried it everywhere, taking portraits of my family, friends, and myself. That simple camera became a visual tool for self-exploration through the portraiture. Personal aspirations, untold stories of the past, hopes, and dreams all mixed together added value to every portrait. I was amateurishly trying to show that in my fashion-inspired photos. And I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t until many years later 

I found the courage and admitted to myself that I wanted to turn my photography passion into a professional career. 

It finally happened two years after graduating from Saint Petersburg University of Culture and Art, where I got my master’s Degree in Art.

At that time, digital photography was on the rise,

offering more opportunities that were scattered everywhere. It was challenging to choose what to focus on. So, I started my photography career, concentrating on something that interested me the most – street lifestyle and landscape photography. Slowly expanding my camera gear and gaining more experience awoke my curiosity about working with portraiture. 

I switched to taking individual, family, and couple portraits and eventually launched my wedding photography business. 

Remembering my early photo experiments with portraits and applying newly acquired knowledge and compositional rules, taking photos became my way of artistic self-expression and career.

how i launched my photo business

One camera, multiple destinations

In 2013, eager to explore my new interest – traveling solo, I planned and went on an open-minding adventure with one camera, a collection of one-way tickets, and one suitcase. I traveled in Finland, around Spain, and eventually settled in Cancun, Mexico, for nine years. There, I strengthened my appreciation of nature and extended my photography portfolio by adding underwater and boudoir sessions.

Building a photography business in a new country and culture pushed me to learn new skills (for example – WordPress) that I never thought I could understand.

solo travel in europe
destination photographer at the beach

My adventure with a small budget turned into an immense personal growth journey, allowing me to meet people from different countries and expand my picture of the world. I’ll be forever grateful for that! 
Since 2022, I have lived in the Atlanta area, GA.

Cheers for the Big Adventures!

In 2013, eager to explore my new interest – traveling solo, I planned and went on an open-minding adventure with one camera, a collection of one-way tickets, and one suitcase. I traveled in Finland, around Spain, and eventually settled in Cancun, Mexico, for nine years. There, I strengthened my appreciation of nature and extended my photography portfolio by adding underwater and boudoir sessions.

Building a photography business in a new country and culture pushed me to learn new skills (for example – WordPress) that I never thought I could understand.

My adventure with a small budget turned into an immense personal growth journey, allowing me to meet people from different countries and expand my picture of the world. I’ll be forever grateful for that! 
Since 2022, I have lived in the Atlanta area, GA.

Cheers for the Big Adventures!

solo travel in europe
destination photographer at the beach

From cenotes to the vast open sea, I grew my courage muscle one step at a time 

swimming with whale sharks

The first time I encountered underwater photos, I was utterly captivated. There was something truly enchanting about it!

Eventually, I invested in underwater equipment and did my first photoshoot in a cenote, those stunning caves with fresh water found in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

underwater sessions

It was then that I realized my initial fascination was accurate. Later on, in 2020, I had the incredible opportunity to join Christina Cindrich, a four-time Emmy award-winning TV producer, on an underwater photoshoot for her show, where she was swimming alongside majestic whale sharks. And a year after that, I was hired by The New York Times for an underwater photography assignment.

It’s been quite the adventure, with a fair share of ups and downs, but accepting challenges usually brings the most satisfying results.

underwater photographer
swimming with whale sharks
underwater sessions

The first time I encountered underwater photos, I was utterly captivated. There was something truly enchanting about it!

Eventually, I invested in underwater equipment and did my first photoshoot in a cenote, those stunning caves with fresh water found in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

It was then that I realized my initial fascination was accurate. Later on, in 2020, I had the incredible opportunity to join Christina Cindrich, a four-time Emmy award-winning TV producer, on an underwater photoshoot for her show, where she was swimming alongside majestic whale sharks. And a year after that, I was hired by The New York Times for an underwater photography assignment.

It’s been quite the adventure, with a fair share of ups and downs, but accepting challenges usually brings the most satisfying results.

underwater photographer

Hold  the craft   closer to your Heart

During my fifteen years in professional photography, I worked in different genres and cultures, communicating with people in three languages. This diverse experience made me conclude that sincere communication leads to authentic connections; passion for the craft is visible and understandable no matter the language, speaks through the visuals, and can be transmitted across continents.

When you stay true to your artistic spirit and always hold the love of the craft in your heart, you will be able to overcome life’s storms and, every time after, continue creating on the advanced level. 

camera on the table
my portrait contemporary

Nowadays, I specialize in product, food, and still-life photography that offers infinite potential for creative exploration. I also launched “Online Education for Beginners and Inspired Enthusiasts in Photography,” comprising articles, videos, courses, and online consultations.

During my fifteen years in professional photography, I worked in different genres and cultures, communicating with people in three languages. This diverse experience made me conclude that sincere communication leads to authentic connections; passion for the craft is visible and understandable no matter the language, speaks through the visuals, and can be transmitted across continents.

When you stay true to your artistic spirit and always hold the love of the craft in your heart, you will be able to overcome life’s storms and, every time after, continue creating on the advanced level. 

Nowadays, I specialize in product, food, and still-life photography that offers infinite potential for creative exploration. I also launched “Online Education for Beginners and Inspired Enthusiasts in Photography,” comprising articles, videos, courses, and online consultations.

camera on the table
my portrait contemporary

Get to Know Me

1. The Title of My Autobiography Would Be:

a work in progress

2. You May be Suprised to Learn:

I’ve lived in 4 countries

3. The Quality that Makes me Successful:

always learning

4. When I’m Not Working, You can Find Me:

walking, exploring new places, reading

5. The Best Advice I can Offer You:

never give up

6. My Most Rewarding Experience to Date:

helping others succeed

7. If I wasn’t a photographer, I would be A:

interior designer

8. My dream trips are:

France&Antarctica

ArsVie Photo Studio

arsvie photo studio atlanta

ArsVie Photo Studio

It’s my space full of natural light and an extensive collection of props. This is where ideas become visual stories through a playful process of creative transformation.

It’s where I navigate through compositional rules, engage with light, and convert words into images.

It begins with the sequence “Light-Camera-Action” and continues until the result is an image that speaks a thousand words. The one that starts a dialogue with a viewer evokes emotions and transmits values. My studio allows me to explore the boundless vastness of imagination that nurtures my creative flow.

It’s my space full of natural light and an extensive collection of props. This is where ideas become visual stories through a playful process of creative transformation.

It’s where I navigate through compositional rules, engage with light, and convert words into images.

 

It begins with the sequence “Light-Camera-Action” and continues until the result is an image that speaks a thousand words. The one that starts a dialogue with a viewer evokes emotions and transmits values. My studio allows me to explore the boundless vastness of imagination that nurtures my creative flow.

arsvie photo studio atlanta
photos about being brave

ArsVie Studio

IMPROVING YOUR BUSINESS REQUIRES A PERSONAL GROWTH

Positive change is transformation and growth. Branding photos can become a meaningful change that your business needs to expand. Allow yourself to shine in front of the camera, and that light will attract the people who need it to grow.

Life is about an exchange of knowledge, light, and love. We share what we have so others can grow, and we receive it back as a gentle kiss from the Universe.

Your personal branding photos are a soft touch of glamour that invigorates and infuses you with the courage and confidence needed to move forward in your business.

A look back

timeline arsvie beginning
timeline arsvie

CREATIVITY

CURIOSITY

COURAGE

Get ready to be inspired as I discuss how staying curious, being creative, and saying “YES!” to adventures that involve exploring what’s behind the comfort zone helps develop courage, embrace one’s true self, and navigate life’s challenges.

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