Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marina Eng. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Marina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I realized I wanted a creative profession quite late—only after graduating from university. My first degree was chosen by my parents; I studied metallurgy management because both my mom and dad spent their entire careers in that field. After graduating, I started working but couldn’t figure out what I truly wanted to do. I tried different jobs—working at a bank, as a secretary, and even in a political party—but none of them felt right for me.

Then one day, an artist, who was a friend of my boss, came to our office and asked to use a computer. She needed Photoshop to work on something. I watched her turn a photograph into a painting using Photoshop filters. It was a magic! And at that moment, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life!

I started teaching myself Photoshop and later went to college to get a second degree in graphic design.

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.

After getting my graphic design degree, I worked in the industry for over 10 years, starting as a design assistant and eventually becoming an Art Director. Alongside that, I had always been interested in photography, even as a child. I remember developing family film rolls with my dad in our bathroom—it felt magical to watch familiar faces and places slowly appear on paper.

At first, photography was just a hobby, but over time I started attending various courses, teaching myself, and eventually began shooting for clients. I explored different genres—fashion, product photography, travel—and even had the chance to visit a metallurgical plant to photograph steelworkers and miners. That was the one time my first degree in metallurgy management actually came into play!

Later, I met an American photographer, Paul Eng, who had moved to Moscow to shoot for magazines like Esquire, GQ, and Men’s Health, as well as commercial projects. He invited me to assist him as both his photography assistant and translator. That opportunity opened the door to the world of professional photography and gave me a behind-the-scenes look at the industry.

Our working relationship eventually turned personal, and after our first daughter was born, Paul decided to move back to New York, his hometown, in hopes of finding more financial stability. However, continuing his photography career there proved difficult—the competition was intense. After years of trying to re-enter the American photography market, Paul shifted his focus to reviving his family’s business: Fong On, a tofu and Asian dessert shop his grandfather founded in 1933.

Paul recreated all the childhood recipes from memory, taught me the process, and now we run a small family business together in New York’s Chinatown.

Even though I had to leave my career as a designer, I never gave up on my passion for photography and kept finding creative outlets for myself. After moving to New York, I completed a course in commercial photography at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) while eight months pregnant. Later, I started doing family photography, opened a children’s art and Russian language studio, and stayed creatively active.

However, when the COVID pandemic began, I had to put all of that on hold. That’s when I shifted my focus to online learning and discovered art photography. Now, I continue to work in this field, steadily growing the list of exhibitions and competitions where my work is featured.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I primarily focus on photographing women, and what interests me most isn’t just capturing their outward appearance but looking deeper into who they are. I try to uncover their essence and, at times, offer them the chance to step into a different role to reveal both their inner and outer beauty. All of my work is carefully thought out—I create sketches in advance, develop a theme, and select models from everyday people.

I rarely work with professional models because I find it more fascinating to reveal the unique beauty of someone who isn’t used to being in front of a camera. I often draw inspiration from classical paintings, and my projects vary—they can be purely photographic or a mix of photo and video, collage, or even an installation.

I want to inspire the viewer to reflect on the uniqueness of each individual, their emotions, and the human experience. Through my work, I hope to awaken empathy and deepen the understanding of the beauty and complexity of human nature.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, it’s incredibly important to stay in the flow of creativity. It gives my life meaning and fulfillment. Seeing that I can create something beautiful, and experiencing the process of creation itself, is the greatest reward.

It’s also a way of exploring myself. Recently, I’ve been working more with self-portraits, which helps me embrace and appreciate how my body and face change with time. For me, it’s a form of art therapy.

I also hope to show my daughters that through creating, we can find inner harmony and a deeper sense of purpose in life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marinaeng.net/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marina.eng.photos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Marina.Eng.Photos