We recently connected with Anna Bielientsova and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Anna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I truly believe in the power of photography and have countless stories of how it has changed lives, including my own. Fifteen years ago, when I first picked up a camera, I never imagined how much it would impact me, nor did I anticipate that it would introduce me to so many incredible people and allow me to witness so many beautiful stories. For me, a photoshoot isn’t just about taking good pictures. It’s about creating a unique experience for each client, leaving a lasting mark on their hearts and memories. What really matters to me is not only the result, but also making each session enjoyable and memorable, so clients walk away with not only great photos but also positive emotions from the experience. And I’m a big fan of catching real moments that will stay with them forever. Even when I’m shooting events, I aim to capture emotions – real, unposed moments. These candid shots often tell the most powerful stories and create lasting memories that my clients can cherish for a lifetime.
One more important thing – being a good photographer is not only having all the skills and knowledges. Its also about being a friend, psychologist, director, stylist , guide… After all years being photographer , I realised one very important thing- when a person looks at a photo, they don’t care about the lighting, composition, camera settings, or how skillfully these elements are combined. What truly matters is the moment captured, whether they like how they look, and if they received what they desired. My mission is to find out all their wishes and make them come true.

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

Hi! I am Anna Bielientsova, a passionate photographer and content creator. My journey began 15 years ago with my friend, who was borrowing her dad’s professional equipment and creating very conceptual shootings for each other. Since then, I was always that friend with the camera, taking pictures for everyone around but never seeing it as more than just a hobby. Until one day, my best friend asked me why I’m never showing my photography to anyone , planting a seed in my mind.

After this conversation I created my photography page and « officially » became a photographer. At first, I was combining photography with my office work, balancing between. However, after one particularly tough day, I decided to leave my job and start my photography business.

So it was In January 2020, I took some workshops to improve my knowledges, did some shoots for my portfolio, and after investing a lot of money in equipment and a lot of time studying, I found myself locked down for almost a year because of COVID. Maybe it wasn’t the best time to change my life, but I never felt so happy and fulfilled, finally doing something that mattered and where I could really use my hypersensitivity and empathy.

After two years of working under the difficult conditions of an open-and-closed city due to COVID, I finally stabilised, my clients were coming back to me and recommending me to others, and I was finally doing well.

Until one day war came to my homeland, and I ended up 2,000 km away from home, rebuilding everything from scratch. But this time, my camera was my guiding light. Within two weeks, I did my first shoot, and photography brought me back to life again.
Thanks to my art, I never feel lonely and have the opportunity to fulfill my life and explore the world. Moving forward, I aim to use my work to inspire others, to show that even in the darkest times, there’s always light if you know where to look. Photography has taught me to see the world differently, and I hope to share that vision with as many people as possible.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

First of all, for me being an artist its about feeling and seeing life differently, “romanticizing” it. It’s about seeing the extraordinary in very ordinary things, finding inspiration in the most unexpected places, and creating something new. The most rewarding thing is the happiness I derive from this process.

It’s like exploring the world through a unique lens. Each day presents new opportunities to transform everyday moments into captivating stories. This creative journey allows me to connect deeply with my surroundings, appreciate the subtleties of life, and express my inner world in ways that resonate with others.

Like actor lives different roles on the scene, I have possibility to live different moments with my clients, meanwhile exploring different sides of me. Also my photography gives me an ability to speak about important things through my art.

Ultimately, i believe that art enriches our lives by bringing a sense of wonder, beauty, and depth to the everyday world.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Actually, I think there are no non-creative people; we’re all creative in some way. But for people who don’t know anything about photography, there’s a misconception that it’s easy to be a photographer—you just need to push the button. Well, it’s far from true.

First, the work begins with marketing to create a field where clients find and choose you and your vision. Then, it’s about all the preparation, where you need to understand your client’s desires and do everything to make them come true. This can take from one hour to days of discussion and planning. After the shoot, there’s still the task of selecting and editing the photos. It can take from a few hours to a few days (depending on the project).

Speaking of time, you need to be extremely organized and build your schedule to have time for everything. Most of the work is on weekends and holidays. While everyone else is having fun, for us, those are the busiest workdays. But for me is more a plus – personally, I’ve gotten used to it and enjoy it.

Another point, which is not so obvious, is the physical aspect. Although equipment is lighter than it was years ago, it’s still like working with a 3-5 kg dumbbell for at least 30 minutes, which requires a lot of strength. You especially feel it during events when you need to be everywhere to capture from all the angles, holding the camera in your hands for several hours or even the whole day.

And for sure, a photographer should be ready to create under any conditions—unpredictable weather, lighting, and be able to find solutions quickly for any problem that can affect your shoots.

To sum it up, being a photographer is not easy and has its challenges. But for sure, it makes you grow and develop not only professionally but also personally. And when you truly choose to be an artist, have a passion for it, and enjoy what you do, i believe, that you have no other options, than to succeed!

Contact Info:

• Website: anyabelentsova.gallery.photo
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anya.belentsova/
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/anna-bielientsova

Image Credits
Anna Bielientsova