We were lucky to catch up with Alina Medvedeva recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

I am sure that everyone tried dozens of Instagram tags (at least in their minds), I was not an exception. Before finding my own, I have tried numerous, but non of them aligned with what I had wanted. Finally, something from not so distant past came up to my mind. Immediately I had a thought: “That is the one! The name for my instagram account AND for my company). It is alinamalina.nyc by the way. Here, Alina – is my first name, and we all know what ‘nyc’ means. There it is, the word so simple, but so meaningful to me, – Malina. It sounds and looks almost like my first name, and many people mistake it for my last name. In fact, this is a Russian word, which translates as ‘raspberry’.
The story behind it is simple yet special: when I was a child, my mom gave me all kinds of cute, rhyming nicknames, and “Malina” was the one that stuck. It’s a nod to my childhood and my family’s tradition of endearing names. Through this name, I carry a little piece of my past into my present and future.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Alina, a videographer, photographer and content creator based in New York City. My passion lies in capturing life’s raw, authentic moments—whether it is street style, weddings, or creative content for brands. I love storytelling through visuals. My goal is to shoot my own movie eventually, and this is the perfect field to express myself as a future filmmaker. Every project is an opportunity to freeze time and share unique emotions.
I help clients connect with their audiences by creating visually compelling content. I bring a personal touch and attention to detail, mostly using cinematic techniques in almost all of my projects.
What sets me apart is my ability to merge technical skill with creative vision, ensuring every shot feels alive. I am proud of building genuine connections with my clients and producing work that resonates with our vision.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In the past, I worked a job that drained my energy every day and stifled my creativity. I often felt stuck, questioning whether I could ever pursue my passion for visual storytelling. But deep down, I knew I was meant for more than a soulless meaningless job.
I had to face uncertainty and doubt, but I kept reminding myself of my dream to become a creator. I started learning more, practicing, and building my portfolio.
Eventually, my persistence paid off. I landed my first few projects, and with each one, my confidence grew. Today, I am proud to call myself a photographer and videographer. This journey taught me that resilience is about believing in yourself, even when the odds seem stacked against you, and others do not believe in you because for them it is not a real job. I am infinitely thankful to the ones that stayed with me and supported me along the way.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to tell stories and emotions through my work. There is something truly magical about capturing a moment, a feeling, or an idea and seeing how it resonates with others. Whether it is a photograph, a video, or a piece of visual content, knowing that it can inspire, connect, or bring joy to someone is incredibly fulfilling.
I also love the freedom of self-expression and the opportunity to constantly grow and experiment. Every project is a new adventure, a chance to push boundaries and learn something new. And, of course, there is something deeply rewarding when others acknowledge me as an artist and appreciate the thought, effort, and passion behind my work. It reinforces that what I am creating has value, which motivates me to keep pushing forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: alinamalina.my.canva.site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alinamalina.nyc/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alinamalina.raspberry/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/raspberry.prod/

Image Credits

Alina Medvedeva