I’m Irina, lifestyle and editorial family photographer in Ottawa, Ontario. I document using storytelling techniques which encourage a relaxed and positive approach to image making. I look at your everyday moments as extraordinary and capture the joy you may have missed assuming your life was boring. There are no fancy props in my images or over staged posing, but rather helpful guidance that leads to a candid and relaxed portrait session.
Since 2007, I’ve photographed 100s of families in Toronto and Ottawa, and I’ve learned that natural unscripted moments lead to the best real and honest photographs. Most families tell me I make them feel relaxed right away, which is exactly why I make sure to get to know as much about you before our session so I know what’s important to you. In my experience, working with little ones means creating a joyful and comfortable environment where they are enjoying themselves rather than an over focus on the camera. The pace of your session is always determined by allowing them to be authentic so that the moments build up highlight the relationships you have with your children more than a cheesy smile with no personality.
I believe the power of connection is what pulls you into a photograph and I am excited to work with families who feel this way too!
Things you don’t need to know, but might want to, anyway.
Curiosity rules. I am a notorious researcher and am constantly reading up on human connection and psychology. I’m curious to capture connections to provide points that lead the families I photograph to feel what is important to them. On the flip side, I also study how to ensure that anyone in front of my camera is relaxed and themselves. I think that is the important link to giving people real photographs of who they are over the one that are cookie-cutter lookalikes.
A dog-gone fear. When I was five years old, my uncle’s German Shepherd excitedly jumped up on me and knocked me onto my back, which created a lifelong fear of dogs. To confront that fear, I got a dog. I did mounds of research (of course!) on breeders for a year, and now we are all in love with Leksi, our little Labradoodle.
New kid in town. Before moving to Ottawa in 2017, I lived in Toronto for 15 years. It remains near and dear to me since that’s where I went to university, got married, and had my babies. I’d go anywhere in the world with my husband, Mihkel, my nine-year-old son, Patrick, and my five-year-old daughter, Katriina, because home is where the heart is—and that’s Ottawa. I’m here to stay.
The garden variety. Over the last five years, I took a deep dive into learning more about gardening and plants—how their ecosystems work and to build a thriving sanctuary in our home space. I’m thrilled that I now have a large selection of plants thriving in our backyard. I’ve become the neighbourhood guru for plant life!
An anxious turn. I struggled with anxiety after my daughter was born; it was difficult and demobilizing at times. I found a way to cope and heal from it naturally by educating myself through literature, taking on new hobbies, and becoming grounded in sharing my story with others who may find themselves in that dark hole. It’s such a fragile, beautiful thing, this life.
The missing frame. Noticing how many women are absent in photographs, I created a platform called The Missing Frame™ where women can share the deep and moving reasons as to why they struggle to be in photos, especially after becoming mothers. It’s part psychology, mixed with a subconscious battle of the changes experienced. The mission of the platform is to share how to build a photo legacy, inspire women to actively be in photos, and develop a conversation around topics that are often ignored. Aside from my family, giving women a place to be seen and heard is one of the things I’m most proud of in my life. And it’s why I’m such an advocate for you to exist in your family photographs.
It’s all in the details. I let simplicity be my guide—in my home, my life, my photographs. I find my images are all about the details. Busy images don’t hold my attention, but the ones that pull you in closer to a person or detail of a place sure do. I prefer simple angles so viewers have the space to wonder and draw their own conclusions about the end of the story.
True to my word. If you were to ask my friends and family what I do better than anyone else, they would tell you that my superpower is showing up for people. I like to check in on them, stay in touch as much as possible, and make sure I deliver if I’ve promised them anything. One of my greatest pleasures is to help people by either connecting them with others or just to offer an ear to listen. Listening is such an important part of our human condition.
Ok, that’s enough about me.
