How long have you been a photographer and how did you get your start in the industry?
I was very young when I first interacted with a camera. Thanks to my parents I got the love for photography and for creating something beautiful. My dad was passionate about photography, it was his hobby. And my mom has a great taste in clothes and she taught me to see beauty in simple things. Like many photographers, I started by shooting my friends, they were very happy with the photos I did and so I began to receive my first orders. For a long time I shot only using intuition, I had no technical knowledge nor I didn’t know famous photographers (and I didn’t take example from anyone), but three years ago I decided that I wanted to devote myself entirely to photography, I began my studies and... here I am!
Viktoria, do you remember your very first shoot? How did it go?
If we talk about my first commercial shoot, then I can't remember it. But I remember very well the moment when my dad let me take a camera and I arranged a photo shoot with my friends: at that time we were 12 years old. I still have these pictures, at that time there were no digital cameras so I shot them with an analog camera. We looked so funny trying to copy professional models.
If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career what would it be?
I would tell myself not to doubt myself, to believe that I have the right talent and that I am a good photographer.
Can you please explain some of the feelings you are trying to achieve in your photographs?
For me photography is a way of communicating with the world, a way to show how I see the person I shoot pictures of. I often hear people saying to me “All people are so beautiful in your pictures”: this pleases me and also greatly inspires me because my goal is to show how beautiful people are.
You are going about conducting a photoshoot, could you take us through the typical planning process for your images?
At the moment, during the preparation for fashion shooting, I have to combine several roles: photographer, director, creative director, organizer, and his assistants, financier. From such a number of duties and responsibilities (responsibility to oneself - sometimes even worse), the head is spinning and it is difficult to avoid overwork. But the result is worth it. For these reasons the typical preparation for a photoshoot is a long process for me, to be brief, it all starts with an idea, a search for a team, a selection of garderobe, a search for a location ...
What has been your most successful moment to date in your career so far?
I took part in an international competition for photographers in 2020. I am so happy because I didn’t expect to get such high results. One of my photos entered the Top 100 Wedding photos. And I entered the Top female portrait photographers.
How has photography influenced you as a person and what do you love most about being a photographer?
Photography gives me an opportunity to feel the beauty of everyday life and fall in love with it. In my work, I define myself as follows: a photographer who shoots with her heart. What I like the most about the work of a photographer is that I can make people happier because they are really happy to see the pictures that I take and also the fact this keeps their wonderful moments in memory thanks to my photos.
What would you say is your style of photography?
As for my photography style, I can say that most of my pictures were shot with natural light only. I love hard light and I love playing with shadows, all my photos have a warm natural tone.
Hard light is the bane of my existence, I hate it and I do avoid it like the plague. I prefer the beautiful light of the golden hour or the safe shelter of open shade. They are my warm blanket and my perfect cup of tea. The softness of the light and the colors make me happy every single time. This past year, I found myself shooting more and more in hard light.
Are there any current projects you’re working on that you can tell us about?
I am currently working on some projects. One of which is cooperation with a wedding dress store. I'm so excited! I am sure that with our team we will achieve very good results.
Where can our readers keep up with your work and get connected with you?
Your readers can follow my work and contact me via Instagram (@vicky_photo.it) I also have my portfolio on the Kavyar platform (Victoria Antonova) and recently I started to create my portfolio on the Vogue platform.