We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nastasia Zibrat a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nastasia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?

When I first started my wedding and elopement photography business, I was struck by the lack of diversity in the wedding and elopement industry here in Denver, and I vowed to do whatever I can to rectify that. I make a conscious, concerted effort to showcase all bodies, all types of love, skin colors, ethnicities and abilities. I am a staunch advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, and make no apologies for that.

When photographers ask me how to book more diverse clients, I will always suggest creating a styled shoot or a model call, specifically focusing on the kinds of clients you hope to attract. If clients don’t see themselves represented in one’s portfolio, they are less likely to book with you. Sure, a Pinterest-perfect portfolio filled with professional models is all fine and dandy, but most people aren’t professional models, and representing the full spectrum of the human experience is so much more rewarding and exciting for me. My clients often tell me that one of the primary reasons they book with me is due to the diversity in my portfolio, and seeing all kinds of couples filled with love and joy helps them feel comfortable and relaxed during our sessions.

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

I’m Nastasia – just like Anastasia, but without the A! I’m a wedding and adventure elopement photographer in Denver, Colorado, but I do photograph families, some boudoir and branding shoots during slower season. My style is vibrant, colorful and full of big emotions. I love shooting documentary style full of candid moments, but I adore an editorial moment as well.

My clients often tell me that I keep them grounded, calm and present, which may be due to my previous background as a music therapist and concert pianist – I work extremely well under pressure, always have a plan B, C, D, and keep a cool head in every situation. If you have an idea that feels “too crazy”, there’s no such thing. If we can legally do it, and if I need to get special permission, we will make it happen. I’m all about unique, offbeat ideas, I love helping your personalities shine! I’m more than just a photographer – I scout locations, I help you plan, I help make itineraries, and I will smuggle a bottle of a champagne for a surprise proposal if you need me to!

My standpoint is one of inclusivity, empathy and body positivity. Every body, every love is beautiful.

When other kids had pop culture posters on their walls, I plastered mine with cutouts from National Geographic magazines, wishing that I too could freeze these incredible moments forever. However, for over 3 decades, I thought it was just a dream, as I have a visual impairment that prevents me from having any depth perception with only one good seeing eye. I know, the irony of a visually impaired photographer isn’t lost on me, but it turns out that I only need one good eye, and a lack of depth perception means that I see the world in 2D, just like a camera does. My amazing husband, assistant extraordinaire, pet wrangler, child charmer, driver and dad-joke maker comes along to most of my shoots and is an incredible help.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My life has essentially been a series of pivots that led me to today. Sometimes, I wish I had started my professional photography journey earlier, and had avoided the mountain of student debt from graduate school, but I know that all of my life experiences have only made me a better photographer and professional.

As a child, I expressed interest in piano, and became a concert pianist early on – winning competitions all over Europe, playing my first solo concert at the age of 9, and as my family moved to Toronto, Canada, I did my undergraduate degree in Classical Piano Performance. I loved performing, but hated how isolative practicing was – the audience only sees the finished product, not the many hundreds of hours of work that go into each performance. I’ve learned tenacity, resilience and what burnout feels like, but it didn’t feel quite right at the end. I’ve always been interested in photography and psychology, but due to my visual impairment, I decided to combine music with psychology for my next endeavor.

The next big move to Boston meant a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Music therapy and a mountain of debt. I learned a lot about myself, worked through some of my own mental health struggles and met my husband in the program. We moved to Colorado, where he’s from, and I worked in the mental health field for 5 years – I loved working with my clients, helping them through some of the toughest times of their lives, but I could no longer participate in a system where the corporate motto seemed to be “profits over everything”. I felt strangled in my creativity and knew that something had to change.

Cue the pandemic, and everything changed. I left my job and soon after, threw myself headfirst into photography – I never expected it to take off the way it has, and I will be forever grateful to all my friends and clients who trusted me from the very beginning. I use my mental health training to help calm anxious brides, help shy kids come out of their shells, mitigate conflict and break down large problems into small, manageable tasks. It turns out that I love love. Between my music, mental health and photography journey, there is one common thread there – the human connection. Witnessing someone’s happiest moments, capturing the tenderness of a parent’s embrace, there’s nothing like it in the world.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to capture someone’s essence, not just snap a pretty picture.

When my husband and I first got our own engagement, and later wedding photos back, I teared up. I’ve always been self critical and self conscious, and to this day, don’t enjoy being in photos, but those photos were something special. For the first time, I saw myself the way my husband sees me, and that’s a gift I can never repay. I know what that feeling is like, so if I can help my clients see themselves as beautiful, worthy and radiant, I’ve done my job.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nastasiazibratphotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nastasia.z.photography