Today we’d like to introduce you to Roksolana Lebid.

Hi Roksolana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I was born in Ukraine, spent my formative years in Italy, and have called New York home for over 13 years now. My life’s journey has been quite vibrant and diverse. I belong to a generation that grew up without the internet or even a landline phone. Instead, I would write letters to friends and immerse myself in books, which were my primary sources of knowledge. I believe this upbringing fostered a richer imagination in my peers and me.

Creativity has always been a part of me, and I have a passion for exploring various interests. When I relocated to Italy as a teenager, I discovered my love for art, which led me to attend an art college specializing in Fashion Design. However, life took a different direction when I moved to New York, where I had to adapt quickly and take on various jobs, eventually becoming a Dental Assistant and learning everything there is to know about dentistry.

A few years later, I welcomed my daughter into the world and took a brief hiatus to focus on her upbringing. However, the high cost of living in New York necessitated my return to work. I found a position as a receptionist at the daycare my daughter attended. Then, when the pandemic struck, I picked up a professional camera out of sheer boredom and discovered a newfound passion for photography. What began as a hobby quickly transformed into my full-time career.

I am fortunate to have loyal clients who travel from upstate to work with me, and I am deeply grateful for their trust and support. This flexibility allows me to spend more time with my family. Yet, I craved further growth and exploration. So, I continued painting, learned to play the piano, and wrote a short story that evolved into a published book titled “Luna and the City of Shadows,” which came out in October 2024. Currently, I am hard at work on my second book, “Before The Light,” which serves as a prequel to the first and boasts 62,000 words so far.

I firmly believe that there are no limits to what a person can achieve in life, and I am excited to see what the future holds for me.

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?

Life is like a rollercoaster ride. Just when you think things are going smoothly, challenges are likely to pop up. The key is to never lose hope and keep pushing forward.

I remember my first year as a dental assistant, completely inexperienced and overwhelmed. It felt like an uphill battle every day—tears were a common occurrence as I faced my fears of disappointing others. My boss was tough on me, often pointing out my mistakes, but I refused to give in. I kept my head down, learned from my errors, and eventually earned their appreciation.

A similar journey unfolded with my photography. Starting out as a complete unknown in a city filled with talented photographers was intimidating. I dedicated myself to working for free, putting in seven days a week, and sacrificing precious time with my family. I poured a significant amount of money into my craft, and it took nearly three years to see any return on that investment. But I persevered, and I finally reached the goals I had set for myself.

Now, I find myself facing new challenges as I promote my book. I spend countless hours crafting social media posts, making reels, and designing collages to grab attention. Although the effort doesn’t always yield immediate results, I remain determined. I believe that one day, my hard work will pay off.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

As I was a novice photographer, I delved into various genres, ranging from videography and event photography to outdoor and studio sessions, in search of what ignited my passion the most. Ultimately, I discovered that capturing maternity photos resonates with me deeply. There’s a unique essence in these moments, an unconditional love that translates beautifully through the lens. This genre allows me to blend my photography expertise with my artistic flair and fashion design background. I enjoy creating stunning gowns from simple fabrics, embellishing them with accessories, and enhancing the final images with digital backgrounds during post-production, resulting in a distinct piece of art. This creative approach sets me apart from many photographers, which is why clients travel from different states to work with me.

As a writer, I focus on contemporary fiction. While many readers seek to escape reality, my goal is to convey messages that encourage embracing it. I aim to inspire personal growth and offer support to those who feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Through my writing, I craft a unique form of art, painting vivid worlds born from my imagination, which is truly exhilarating.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?

As the saying goes, “No pain, no gain.” If you don’t take risks, your chances of achieving your goals are slim. My biggest leap of faith was moving from Italy to the USA with nothing but hope and without speaking the language. It felt like an enormous challenge, and honestly, it was daunting. I spent months sleeping on the floor of a cramped, old apartment, with a train rumbling overhead. I vividly recall a day when I needed to do laundry but found myself without any money. I ended up breaking open my piggy bank, which was filled with nothing but pennies and a few nickels and dimes. I took those coins to the laundromat and exchanged them with the attendant for quarters. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming urge to scream and run back to Italy to be with my mom. But deep down, I held onto my belief in myself. I knew I could overcome this. And I did. Most of the risks I embraced along the way led me to success. So yes, I wholeheartedly encourage taking risks in life. Sure, sometimes things don’t go as planned, but that’s simply part of the journey. Life isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://taplink.cc/roksolanany.photography
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roksolanany.photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roksolanaphotography/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/bookstagramluna/

Image Credits

Photos taken by RoksoLana NY Photo