Conversations with Inga Nova

Today we’d like to introduce you to Inga Nova.

Hi Inga, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Russia, always drawn to beauty, emotion, and storytelling, but I didn’t pursue photography right away. After a difficult breakup, I realized I needed to move forward, not stay in the pain. That’s when I enrolled in the Photography Department at Santa Monica College and it changed my life.

I spent two years working for a wedding photography company, shooting hundreds of weddings and learning real storytelling under pressure: emotion, timing, composition, fast decision-making. It was intense, but it built my confidence. After leaving, I had to rebuild my entire portfolio from zero, which became a powerful moment of choosing my own vision.

Today, I’m especially drawn to photographing women, couples, and intimate celebrations, moments that feel alive, honest, and filled with soul.

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 road definitely wasn’t smooth. Starting over in a new country with no connections in the creative field was already challenging, but choosing photography meant rebuilding myself completely. The breakup that pushed me into this path was painful, and in the early years I often doubted whether I was good enough or whether I could actually build a career from something so personal and artistic.
Working for a wedding photography company was intense, I was shooting constantly, learning fast, and dealing with high-pressure situations. After leaving, I had to start my portfolio from scratch because I couldn’t use any of those images. That felt like going back to zero again.
But every challenge pushed me to grow. It taught me resilience, confidence, and trust in my own vision. Those struggles shaped my style and my commitment to capturing real emotion and beauty in every person I photograph.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a photographer based in Los Angeles, and I specialize in emotional, intimate photography: women, couples, small weddings, retreats, and meaningful celebrations. My focus is always on capturing energy, connection, and the natural beauty of a moment rather than stiff or overly posed images. I want people to feel seen, confident, and beautiful exactly as they are.
What I’m most proud of is the trust people place in me. Whether I’m photographing a woman stepping into her feminine power, a couple celebrating their love, or a family sharing a milestone, I’m invited into deeply personal moments. Clients often tell me they feel comfortable and safe with me immediately, and that comfort reflects in the images, real emotion, softness, authenticity.
What sets me apart is my ability to read people and guide them in a way that feels natural. I don’t just take photos; I create an experience. I’ve lived in different cultures, rebuilt my portfolio from zero, and learned to tell stories with heart and sensitivity. My style blends simplicity, elegance, and soul. Images that feel warm, cinematic, and alive.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is spending summers at my grandparents’ home. They had a big piece of land filled with vegetables, fruit trees, and endless little places to explore. Every morning I would wake up, run straight to the strawberry beds, pick the ripest berries, and then sit on the porch catching the early sunlight. I’d eat my strawberries, play with the kittens that always seemed to be around, and feel completely peaceful and happy. It was simple, pure, and full of warmth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.inganova.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inganova.photo?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/inga-agafonova
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/inga-nova-217048193/sets/9oe1hknmaxlu?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=1&si=691FEBE63A7D459BBA23D11908477660&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Image Credits
Inga Nova Photography, all pictures by me

Only my picture was photographed by Jayda my friend from Montana