Today we’d like to introduce you to Vera Pashkevich.

Hi Vera, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
It’s a bit of a winding story. I suppose it all started when I was a wide-eyed 16-year-old in Germany, watching my family prepare to separate and for my mother and I to make an international move. I didn’t like the idea of leaving the only place that had ever felt like home without taking a piece of it with me.

I remember scraping my meager teenage savings to buy a tiny, unassuming camera. I spent my last days in our quiet city roaming the cobblestone streets, capturing every corner store, cathedral, park bench, and familiar face I could find. Something sparked, but I didn’t know what it was yet.

Fast forward to a serendipitous move next door to a wildlife photographer who took me under his wing, a non-traditional college experience studying art history while honing my portrait skills, and countless late nights losing time in darkrooms. Before I knew it, Vera Pash Photo was born.

Over a decade later, I’m still here, living and breathing photography in the Pacific Northwest. My work has evolved into an eclectic mix but I consider myself a generalist ‘documenter of humanity’. I try to make personal creative work, both in the form of conceptual photography and drawing/painting, and bring that creative touch to every client that I work with.

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?
The road to where I am today has been anything but smooth. Despite my stubborn refusal to become another starving artist, there have been times when my business teetered on the edge of instability.

In my twenties, I juggled waiting tables with chasing my dream, then took a detour as a curator to stay connected to the art world. It was only after those experiences that I felt ready to dive into photography full-time.

Even then, the initial investment in gear was a daunting hurdle. I had to get imaginative, borrowing and bartering for years before I could truly call my equipment my own. But all of those challenges paled in comparison to the upheaval brought on by the pandemic.

As the world ground to a halt, so did my bookings. Clients began asking about cancellation policies and requesting refunds, leaving me feeling lost and empty without my work. I wish I could say I was one of those resilient souls who used the lockdown to create an abundance of inspired art, but the truth is, I struggled.

It was my community that came to my rescue during those dark times. From my accountant-turned-guardian-angel who volunteered to fill out PPP paperwork on my behalf, to a coastal retreat offering me a soul-nourishing residency, to Artist Trust helping keep the bills paid, and my endlessly supportive creative friends and clients who invested in “whenever the day comes” shoots – I wouldn’t be here without them.

Through it all, I’ve learned that the path to financial stability as a creative is rarely linear and that sometimes, it takes a village to keep an artist afloat. I’m grateful for the challenges that have shaped me and the incredible people who continue to hold me up along the way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At the core of what I do is a deep love for capturing the human experience in all its beautiful, messy glory. I specialize in documenting the intimate, spontaneous moments that make up our lives – from the tender exchanges between newlyweds to the wild, uninhibited energy of adventure sessions in our beautiful landscape. But most of the time, I photograph regular people who entrust me with a vision they need to fulfill.

My work is an eclectic mix, reflecting my own multifaceted interests and experiences. I have two main branches: my personal artistic projects, which often take the form of conceptual portraiture, and my professional brand, which encompasses personal branding sessions, families, weddings, and lifestyle/editorial work.

What sets me apart, I believe, is my unrelenting passion for dynamic storytelling through imagery that has held firm throughout my many years in this industry. I’m not interested in following trends or fitting into neat boxes. Instead, I strive to create atmospheric, emotionally charged portraits that reveal the essence of my subjects and the environments that shape them.

But more than any specific style or technique, it’s the relationships I form with my clients that truly define my work. I take great pride in fostering a space where people feel comfortable opening up and being their authentic selves, without any pretense or pressure. It’s those genuine connections that fuel my creativity and keep my heart invested in this work, even after a decade behind the lens.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
While most people know me as a photographer, there’s a surprising facet to my life that often catches folks off guard: I have a “day job” in the tech world. But before you start picturing me as a cubicle-dwelling, code-crunching stereotype, let me assure you – it’s actually pretty cool. And not like that at all.

It all started during the pandemic, when my usual creative flow was disrupted by the global upheaval. As I wandered aimlessly through those uncertain days, I stumbled into a gig writing for tech through a consulting firm. At first, I was hesitant – I felt so underqualified and wasn’t expecting to find a second passion. But as I dove into the work, I found myself consistently challenged and engaged.

The best part? This unexpected sideline adapted seamlessly to my photography business, allowing me to prioritize my art. And along the way, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some truly wonderful humans – colleagues and clients who have become an integral part of my journey.

And who knows? Maybe one day I’ll find a way to merge these seemingly disparate worlds, creating a new kind of art that blends the soul of photography with the marketing savvy of writing for tech. But for now, I’m content to keep exploring, keep learning, and keep finding beauty in the unexpected places along the way.

Pricing:

• Portrait sessions starting at $525
• Starting cost for for elopements: $1625
• Starting cost for wedding photography: $3195

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.verapashphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verapashphoto/?hl=env
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeraPashPhoto
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verapashphoto/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@verapashphoto