We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Irina Guseva. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Irina below.

Hi Irina, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most significant project in my life so far has been my photo studio. I can confidently call myself a professional photographer, as I’ve dedicated most of my working life to photography. Naturally, I always dreamed of having my own studio, a space where I could create unique setups, experiment, and feel like I truly had a place of my own. For a long time, though, it was just a dream. I worked full-time as an accountant while doing photography on the side, never seriously considering it.

Everything changed one day when I came across an advertisement for a photo studio for sale in my city. Suddenly, my thoughts wouldn’t let me sleep, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It felt like a lightbulb switched on in my mind—I knew that I had to make this dream a reality, no matter what. My husband helped me a lot through this. Even now, I still don’t know how I took such a big leap. We barely had any savings, and we didn’t fully understand how to run a business. But that’s the power of passion and determination.

Miraculously, we found the perfect space, though it needed a lot of work. The building was run-down, with exposed brick walls and three huge holes where windows should have been. That’s where our journey began. Thanks to my husband’s incredible support—he did most of the renovations himself—we finished the repairs fairly quickly. Then it was time to focus on the decor. I had no prior experience with interior design, but I became so absorbed in it that I spent days and nights in front of the computer when I wasn’t painting walls or shopping for building materials.

This project taught me so much and gave me hands-on experience in areas I had never explored before—construction, interior design, decor, art, entrepreneurship, and more. The studio didn’t just become a commercial success; it thrived creatively too! We became one of the top studios in our region, often setting trends. It was incredibly exciting.

This project showed me that I’m capable of so much—learning new things, taking on hands-on work, experimenting, and taking risks. Most importantly, it allowed me to watch my dream come to life and find joy in that process. Through the studio, I met many creative and inspiring people and enhanced my photography skills, having the freedom to shoot the way I wanted, whenever I wanted.

But now, it’s time for a new chapter. My family and I have moved to the USA to start fresh. I miss my studio deeply, but I’m confident that exciting new projects await me here. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Irina Guseva. I’m a photographer and the creator of my own photo studio, which allowed me to wear many hats: decorator, stager, interior designer, artist, photoshoot producer, and entrepreneur. Describing everything I’ve done over the years with just one title is challenging. Recently, my family and I moved to the beautiful state of Washington in the USA, where I’m starting fresh. I’m no longer running the studio, but one thing is certain—my passion for photography remains unchanged.

I’ve been involved in photography for over 15 years, evolving from taking pictures of friends and flowers (which I still love) to getting formal training and working professionally in various genres. I’ve always enjoyed noticing the beauty around me and creating with my hands. Photography combines these interests perfectly. I draw a lot of inspiration from nature, especially plants and the ocean.

As a child, I dreamed of learning how to draw beautifully. Since opportunities were limited, I taught myself, sketching with a graphite pencil. I loved drawing landscapes and studying human anatomy guide for artist, but it was a slow and challenging process. I often thought about how wonderful it would be to capture what I saw more quickly. That’s when photography came into my life. Ever since then, I’ve seen the world through the camera lens. Whenever I see something beautiful, I mentally press the button — or actually do if I have my phone or camera on me.

What fascinates me most about photography is the ability to capture a moment in time. Just imagine: you capture a random moment that will never be repeated. It remains on film or the sensor as the result of millions of random factors and events coming together in one time and place—like light, the direction of the wind, a person’s state, movement, emotion, and so much more. That’s real magic! That’s why every shoot is special, knowing that each moment is one-of-a-kind. I know: there’s always something unique captured in my frames.

After experimenting with different genres, I discovered my true passion—celebrating femininity in all its forms. Whether it’s an individual portrait, a motherhood session, or a family shoot, women are at the heart of my work. For me, photography is an art form above all else. I am deeply passionate about art, cinema, and interior design—visual aesthetics that inspire my work. I love noticing the details in interiors and fashion in films or photographs, as well as the incredible shapes and colors in nature, which I believe is the greatest artist. It’s important to me to show the aesthetics in my work—the way I see things—so I can share that vision with others. I dream of taking part in the production of an aesthetically beautiful movie!

love neoclassical music and film soundtracks (Hans Zimmer is my favorite composer). Music stirs up so many emotions in me that I sometimes even cry from its beauty. Whenever possible, I incorporate music during my shoots to create the right atmosphere.

For me, true beauty lies in simplicity. I enjoy photographing people in timeless, comfortable clothing, in a calm state, and in environments that enhance their beauty rather than distract from it. This approach allows me to reveal their essence. I prefer to use natural fabrics, light makeup, wind-tousled hair—and, of course, flowers. Flowers are an essential part of my portraits, adding character and mood. I find this both aesthetically pleasing and creatively engaging.

I often incorporate flowers in my work, as I enjoy drawing parallels between their beauty and the women I photograph. Each portrait celebrates both femininity and the fleeting beauty of life, encouraging reflection on the balance between what lasts and what is temporary. Through this connection, I aim to showcase the grace of my models while reminding us that every moment, like a flower, is precious and worth remembering.

I photograph everything from individual portraits to weddings and maternity sessions, but portraiture remains my favorite. In my work, I delicately highlight softness and beauty, capturing love and warmth.

Most of the people I photograph are not models and often have no experience with professional shoots. I often hear, “I don’t know how to pose,” but the truth is, you don’t need to. After the session, many clients tell me how natural the experience felt. I don’t force posing; instead, I observe and guide them gently through the process, always focusing on their comfort. I talk with my subjects throughout the shoot, offering soft suggestions on posture or gaze, but in the end, the goal is for them to feel comfortable. I’m not trying to turn them into someone else—I want to capture their true essence.

At the moment, I’m focused on improving my English, as communication during shoots is important. I’m working hard to become more fluent because I dream of working with people from all over the world, and I’m excited for what’s to come!

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

I received an education as an accountant and economist, completely unaware of what lay ahead. As I began to discover my creative abilities, I realized how much it captivated me. Then came the moment when I simply couldn’t stay in my main job because all my thoughts were consumed by photography; I wanted to try so many things and learn so much. I must admit, at that time, I didn’t think about whether I could make photography my main profession or if I could earn a living from it. I just wanted to give it a try.

When I found myself with no free time at all—because I was busy retouching photos after work and shooting on weekends—it was time to leave my main job. I again have to thank my husband, as he has been and continues to be my support in all my endeavors. It’s incredibly important to have someone who believes in you by your side.

I went to study while also trying out all types of photography, gradually beginning to understand what I liked most. For many years, I shot weddings. Then I discovered photography as art when I attended a course with a well-known teacher in our city. She introduced me to the world of conceptual photography, discussed photo projects, and how to turn photographs into art. I think this helped me shape my perspective and my way of sharing my inner understanding. Around that same time, I realized which themes interested me the most and what I was searching for in photography. I continued learning from various photographers and read extensively not only about composition but also about retouching, exploring the topic from different angles.

After my modest dream of having my own photo studio became a reality, I discovered an incredible world of creativity. I no longer had to take any job; I could focus on what truly interested me. I could create ideas straight from my mind in the studio. It was wonderful!

Moreover, it was important for me to treat each client like a friend, striving to create the most welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. As a result, people became my regular clients, recommending me to their friends and sharing my photos on social media. This is how I built a stable client base, and I genuinely enjoyed working with them, as I already knew them and their families! I didn’t need to engage in aggressive advertising; my work spoke for itself. Everything started with wedding photography, followed by maternity, family, and individual shoots—people stayed with me. And this is my pride. I love getting to know people and helping them preserve precious moments in memory. Is this the key? To do what you love, put in maximum effort, and maintain warm relationships with clients. Now many of my clients are already my friends, and I value that greatly!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe that my attitude towards my work and, of course, towards people is essential. Creating a comfortable environment is very important, as it allows me to take great portraits. Everyone needs time to adjust to their surroundings and open up, and I want my clients to leave with pleasant memories of the process. After all, it’s unlikely you would want to return for another photo session if you felt uncomfortable, right?

I take my work very seriously. I prepare for each shoot by asking my clients many questions to gather as much information as possible about their expectations and desires. We discuss what outfits they will bring, what kind of makeup to have, and so on. In this sense, I also act as a stylist, which I truly enjoy.

I am committed to meeting deadlines and delivering photographs on time. If there’s ever any uncertainty, I make sure to reach out to the client to keep them informed. Most importantly, I love what I do! I don’t work on a high-volume basis, allowing me to focus on each client and their unique needs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://irinaguseva.photography/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irinaguseva_photography/

Image Credits

Katerina Marchuk
Marina Skripkina
Polina
Valentina and Daniil