Today we’d like to introduce you to Irina Kuznetsova.
Hi Irina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi ! My name is Irina, I am from Russia . I am a beginner photographer . As a child, one of my favorite things was flipping through our family album – my mom, sister and I would sit together , and our mother would tell stories about each photo. I always wished I had more than just one photo with my dad, who passed away so early. For a long time , photography was just a hobby – working as a travel agent , I brought back beautiful travel shots from my trips . When my first daughter was borm , I wanted to capture every moment of her first steps. My husband gifted me a camera, but my photos still did not turn out as I hoped. I wanted to learn all about those buttons and settings , so I enrolled in a photography course. Three years ago we moved to Cyprus because my husbands job . Leaving my office job made me cosider phorography as a career. I was thrilled when people started to booking my shoots – I found new friends and like -minded people . A year ago , we reloceted from Cyprus to Florida . I hope to succeed here , endlessly inspired by new locations and the multicultural vibe.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The hardest part in my new venture was self-doubt. It took me years to overcome this fear – the mere thought of someone calling my work unprofessional enough terrified me. But now I am in America, here are a lot of people – I hope to find my kind of people, the ones who will be struck by my frame. I always try to craft an unique story for each specific person, never working with templates.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have always been fascinated with capturing emotions , storytelling, and the connection between people in a frame. I constantly have shooting ideas – when I see someone , I immediately imagine how I would capture them : their outfit, the perfect location …. And though I sometimes creat just “pretty pictures” , I would love to focus on lifestyle and family photography in the future. Also I am interested in wedding photography – each wedding is its own beautiful story , like a short film unfolding in real time .
The best work I’ve ever done, in my opinion, is the series I titled *‘Laundry’*. The idea was to depict the daily life of a Cypriot woman 100 years ago. This series was shot in Cyprus, in a charming village called Lofou.
One day, I went to the mountains with my kids, and we stumbled upon this village—it captivated us at first sight! Just imagine a traditional Greek mountain village: cobblestone streets weathered by centuries, houses with wooden gates and shutters, every courtyard filled with clay pots of flowers, a church in the middle of the main square, and the only taverna in the village where locals gather to chat. Surrounding the village are vineyards and olive groves. From the highest point at the entrance to Lofou, you can take in a breathtaking view of the orchards, vineyards, and the entire island stretching all the way to the Mediterranean Sea!
The idea to shoot there came when I needed to create a project for my photography school. I’d always wanted to capture something in a traditional Cypriot style. My friend and her daughter agreed to be the models, and my own daughter played her second child in the storyline.
I spent two days preparing the props—the hardest part was finding an old washtub. I went to the old town and searched an antique shop, where I finally found one that was 120 years old! It wasn’t cheap, but I convinced the shop owner to rent it to me. True to Cypriot hospitality, he not only lent me the tub but also treated me to traditional coffee.
The day of the shoot was intense: a 40-minute drive to the location, then hauling all the heavy props to the olive grove where I’d planned the shoot. At first, everything went smoothly, but then the kids got tired. I had to promise them everything just to get those last five shots! This was a serious project requiring meticulous preparation and a clear vision, and I’m proud I pulled it off.
But the real magic of my work? The people! I travel, cross paths with all kinds of souls, and nothing means more to me than feeling their genuine interest and trust. I’m proud to say I’ve gathered countless friends along the way—and that’s my greatest reward.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love about Jacksonville is how multifaced it is ! You will find urban street art district with cool graffiti and sidewalk cafes right alonside historic streets with classical architecture. And the bridges – no two are alike with their different shapes and vibrant colors !
Pricing:
- People pay me what they feel is right
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @PhotoPro_Lubov
- Facebook: Irina Kuznetsova
