Daily Inspiration: Meet Ekaterina Gorbacheva

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ekaterina Gorbacheva.

Hi Ekaterina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I feel like a photo camera has always been a part of my life. My mother took photography very seriously during her university years, and even though her career later took her a different direction, she never abandoned her passion and made sure I grew up with a reverence to preserving moments and an easy access to a camera at all times.

I started taking photography classes myself in the early 2000s, right when the switch from analog to digital was happening and began shooting professionally in 2009, mostly doing portraits, fashion and equestrian events, since I was also training horses at the time and obviously was bringing the camera into whatever was important in my life at the time. That’s in many ways how I ended up having a career in music photography as well. In 2012 I moved to Los Angeles to attend Musician’s Institute and obviously the camera followed. I took photos of my friends at school, promo stuff for the projects I was involved in, then started getting invited to shoot events through other musician friends, local promoters and etc… Later had to do product photography for different musical equipment companies, like Strandberg, Abasi Guitars and Horizon Devices, BTS for recording sessions and music videos, event stuff for premieres and award ceremonies, worked with different publications, went on tours and etc… The latest being joining my friends from Ne Obliviscaris for their latest US tour and photographing the legendary Japanese band Boris on their North American tour. By now it’s been more than a decade of my working in the music industry and even though I have achieved a lot, there are always more goals and ideas I want to try.

On top of music, during Covid I got into automotive photography, because there were no shows, events or really much anything involving shooting with people. And since I have shot for MotorTrent, Motor1, was featured in Hyperbeast and worked with Race Service.

My latest interest has been in cosplay photography and covering events around video games, anime and general nerd culture. I have always been quite a nerd myself, started playing video games probably when I was 3-4 years old and never stopped. So it’s been a very fulfilling journey connecting everything I like, making it into a career, and making sure that music, video games, anime and people I like and admire are all a big part of my life. I’m really looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me next.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. I think the biggest struggle for a creative that I still find challenging is time management. And it’s a very multi faceted challenge. On the one hand it’s the good old life / work balance. Especially when you are self employed and certain aspects of your work can be done at home, like editing, replying to emails or creating marketing campaigns, it’s really hard to navigate. Then it’s the choice of which gigs to take. I often say that from all the gigs I take, some are for money, some are for bringing more work and some are purely because I want to. It’s best when at least two of these reasons coincide, but it’s important to make sure you don’t waste your time on things than bring neither. And on that note, being in LA presents a unique challenge of just choosing where to go and what to do, because there are some many things happening at all times.

Another big challenge I have found is being a woman in a male dominated industry. It’s a lot harder to be taken seriously or to make your skills be actually acknowledged. And if you make a mistake or get dragged into some sort of scandal, it’s a lot harder to recover or prove your innocence. It’s much easier now that I am older and have a more or less established name, but it was a serious obstacle in my early 20s when I was just starting.

And last but not least, I think everyone is feeling the effects of the current economic situation. The budgets are getting smaller, the equipment is getting more expensive and people not familiar with production, who often make the decisions, see AI as a superior substitute to someone’s skill, experience and creativity. I also do see a tendency of trying to make artists sign off right when working for bigger corporate entities. But nonetheless I do not think the situation is that bleak. There is still plenty of work, plenty of people caring about skill, quality and artistry and plenty of jobs that can’t be taken away from creatives.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I do a lot. What I pride myself in and what has been hammered into me back when I started taking my first photography classes is knowing my gear and basic rules enough that I can solve any photographic need. But on that note I mostly specialize in music photography, including live shows, promo, music gear and BTS, general events including parties, premieres, red carpet events and weddings, portraiture including promo photos for musicians and actors, lifestyle, headshots, cosplay and night / cyberpunk style photography and automotive photography.

I am best known for my darker style, work with negative space and color and the high level of quality and polish of my photos and general cinematic look. I do think that my editing style is as important as my shooting style. On top of that I am known for often using prisms, specialized or funky gear and other effects in my work. Always real and analog though. I am also often sought after for my ability to work with both artificial and natural lighting to create stunning and eye catching photographs and ability to work in shifting and chaotic environments, something that a decade in music industry has made me very accustomed to.

The general quality of my work is probably what I am most proud of. In the current fast paced world I refuse to put out mediocre work or compromise on quality. I hold myself to a very high standard and am proud of that.

What sets me apart from others is that my work is always distinguishably mine. I never try to force it or fake anything, yet just by putting my heart and soul into my work it always stays recognizable even though different styles and genres of photography. There is a feel and a vibe to it that is unmistakably me. And I am sure if you look at my portfolio you will see what I mean.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I think this is a questioned better asked to my parents. But I know I have always been very independent, introverted and very curious, something that is still very true while I embark on my creative journey. Always looking for more challenges, new ways to grow, new things to try and never really caring for trends or common practices. What is important for me is if it serves my purposes and gives me creative satisfaction and allows me to serve and communicate better with my clients and their needs.

On top of that I have always been very technical, being raised by very math and physics oriented parents. So it’s both important and easy for me to understand how things work, how to create certain effects and how make ideas into reality. And I like having and accumulating knowledge of the topic important to me.

And last but not least, I have always been a big and very passionate nerd, be it pop culture, horses, photography. When I care I truly care and it’s hard not to notice.

Pricing:

• Individual Shoots – Starting at $500
• Photo Live Show Coverage – $500
• Events – $200 – $300 per hour
• Weddings – starting at $4000
• Cosplay Shoots at Conventions – $200 for an hour shoot

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ekaterinagorbacheva.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekaterinagorbacheva.art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ekaterinagorbacheva89
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterinagorbacheva/