Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Vitoshka.
Diana, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I am often asked about how I got into photography. It has been a long and spiritual process for me. It fulfills many purposes; it is a platform of communication and allows me to understand myself better. It lets me give and exercise my values, as well as receive things such as closeness, voice, and different perspectives. I started photographing landscapes and then moved on to taking photos of people. What I like best is taking photos of people in nature. I tend to see the best in others. I photograph to inspire and nurture the soul.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Every photo is an emotion. I am a perceptive and sensitive person and fully experience everything that goes on in front of my lens. I am continuously astounded at the level of closeness I feel with people when they invite me into their home, or hand me their baby, or let their special moments play out in front of me – a stranger – as I take their photos. I feel privileged for every such opportunity.
The trust, openness, and acceptance I receive from these experiences, as people share with me their personal life and aspirations they want to reflect, are very gratifying. In turn, what I give as a photographer are not just technically executed photos, but rather, the view of someone who accepts and appreciates each person in front of my camera for who they are. In my mind, the most beautiful person is a happy person, and happiness is something I have decided to adopt into my interactions with others, especially as a photographer, in hopes of extending the sentiment. In my eyes and lens, every person is beautiful.
The world is full of suffering and misery. Taking a step back and looking at it in perspective, much of the pain is caused by judgment and lack of acceptance, whether it is desired to prove oneself in comparison to another, differentiate oneself and scorn “the other,” or elsehow cause harm in often meaningless competition.
When someone stands in front of my camera, I aspire to extinguish the suffering. I don’t judge but see and showcase one’s best, so that they can see it too, and then the world can see it as well; so that they forget about being “too little of this” or “too much of that” or “more than” whoever, “less than” whoever, but rather, focus on being and enjoying themselves and the world we live in. Because no mountain is too high or too short; no river is too much or too little of a river; and as a part of the natural world, we, humans, are just that – humans – too.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
This mostly applies to people who are just starting in the field… Look for used gear (Craigslist) or see if a friend may let you borrow theirs for a home-cooked meal? All my gear is still second-hand. Once you have something to work with, create a portfolio; ask everyone around you for a photo. Then you have something to show to potential clients.
Another alternative is to offer some free shoots – and if the client likes your work, they may sponsor the next shoot or recommend you for a paid gig. Something that I think applies equally to everyone is to always utilize all your talents and look for multiple sources of income. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work with people can be seen on my website. My landscapes are available at my 500px.com/DianaUniversePhotography account.
The best way to support my work is to share what you like with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dianauniversephotography.com
- Email: dianauniverse.photo@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/DianaUniversePhotography
- Facebook: facebook.com/DianaUniversePhotography
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