We were lucky to catch up with Olya Helga recently and have shared our conversation below.

Olya, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.

Absolutely. One of the most meaningful innovations in my career was creating Photo Art Therapy is a ritual I call “The Journey Back to Your True Self.”

I’ve always been deeply interested in self-development and a more spiritual, conscious way of living. At some point, I realized that photography which had always been my main creative medium could become a healing tool, not just a visual one. That’s when I began to merge my artistic work with the inner work I was doing personally and started offering photography as a form of transformation.

This wasn’t just about taking beautiful portraits. It became a space for women to reconnect with themselves, to see their own light, to feel seen without masks. Photography became a mirror not of appearances, but of essence.

It was a shift from just creating images to holding space for people to return to their truth. And that shift completely changed the energy of my work and the results for my clients

Olya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a photographer, creative director, and founder of Authentic People, a production agency and creative platform focused on meaningful, soulful visuals for both brands and individuals. My work combines art, emotion, and intention.

I started my journey in photography over a decade ago. What began as a passion for capturing beauty naturally evolved into a deeper mission to use visual storytelling as a way to connect, transform, and inspire. Over the years, I’ve worked with international brands, directed campaigns, and helped shape visual identities that feel elevated, intentional, and emotionally real.

What sets my work apart is the philosophy behind it. I see beauty as a spiritual experience, and every image as a gateway to something deeper, a memory, a truth, a forgotten part of self. This perspective led me to create Photo Art Therapy, a guided session I offer to women where photography becomes a healing experience. It’s about being seen, accepted, and remembered as your true self.

At Authentic People, we offer creative direction, photography, production, and visual storytelling for conscious brands and individuals who want to create from a place of truth. We don’t just produce content. We create experiences, feelings, and stories that connect.

What I’m most proud of is the impact this work has had on others. I often hear from women who say they felt truly seen for the first time, or from brands who felt their soul was finally reflected in their visuals.

For anyone discovering my work, I want them to know this: my art is a space of authenticity. You don’t need to perform or perfect anything. Just show up as you are, and I’ll meet you with vision, light, and a deep respect for who you truly are.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me has always been energetic alignment and authenticity. When I fully show up as myself and embody what I offer, the right people naturally find their way to me. I deeply believe that your energy is your greatest magnet when your work is rooted in truth, soul, and integrity, it speaks louder than any strategy.

Most of my clients come through word of mouth, personal connections, or simply through witnessing my work and feeling a deep resonance. I focus on creating from the heart and letting the energy do its work.

That, to me, is the most natural and sustainable form of growth.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is witnessing transformation, both in others and in myself.

Art has the power to reveal truth, to soften defenses, and to reconnect us with something deeper. When I see someone look at their photo and say, “I’ve never seen myself like this before,” or when a woman feel more alive, more confident, more whole after a session that’s everything.

Being an artist allows me to turn my vision into form, to capture the unseen, and to create moments that stay with people long after the experience ends. It’s not just about beauty it’s about meaning. About soul. About creating something that moves, that heals, that reminds us who we really are.

That feeling of creating from truth and being of service through art – is the most fulfilling thing for me..

Contact Info:

• Website: https://olyahelga.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olyahelga.photography/
• Other: https://authentic-peoples.com

Image Credits

Darina Deryzemlia
Elina Fedorova