Meet Elena Takmakova | Music producer, photographer & filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elena Takmakova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elena, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
I do have a favorite quote that serves me as a reminder. Usually in times when I start worrying about my future and try to control my life. I don’t know who the author is but I like it.

“No matter what you do, if it is not God’s plan, you can’t have it. Trust yourself but don’t ever rely on it”.

The problem of our society is that we are taught to believe that we are the creators of our life, that we have control over it. For me, it turned out to be a wrong belief and my life showed me that I don’t have any control over my life. My life doesn’t even belong to me. It was, is and always be in God’s hands. I never thought I would have cancer. I always believed I could be anything in my life. But nope. God has His own plan. For each of us. Yes, we can have ideas about how we would like our life to be and do our best, but if it doesn’t align with His will, it won’t happen. That’s why we have so many frustrated and depressed people nowadays. We try so hard to live up to society’s standards and forget about our soul that came here to fulfill God’s will. But God will always remind us of His presence and role in our life. Usually through pain. Because without pain we will never know what’s right and where we lost ourselves.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In the first place, I am a musician. I make and produce music. As I say, music is in my veins. No matter what I do in life, it always brings me back to music. My music is very different. It tells stories and each time it’s a different story. It usually depends on my mood, my surrounding or life circumstances. Sometimes I hear people say “your music feels like your soul is talking”. I would say it’s true. That was the reason why I started thinking about creating videos to my music or just simply short videos with a message – I just wanted to tell stories. The form didn’t actually matter. That’s why I would say that the thing that sets me apart from others is that I look beyond things. I always go deep into the root and bring to attention things that we don’t usually pay attention to. I also do photography. I would say, like music, it’s also in my veins. I just love capturing life moments and then put them together. Another way of telling stories.

Music, videos, photos – I’ve been doing this all my life. I just never paid attention to that. People around me pointed out those skills but I ignored that. But only when I had to go through that tough period of my life (cancer) and I was given lots of time to think about my life, I finally saw that I am all about sound and visuals. I had to overcome my ego and stop living life that wasn’t mine. Become attentive to that inner voice inside and have courage to follow it. That’s why I said earlier that no matter what you do in life, if it is not in God’s plan, you will never have it. God will always put you on your place in life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I always recommend Palos Verdes, Santa Barbara, Pasadena and Orange County (Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point). I don’t have any specific places to recommend because I am that type of person who just picks up the destination and goes to explore it 🙂

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have three books that helped me change my perspective on life:

“Conversations with God” by Neale Donald Walsch.
“Count Your Blessings: The Healing Power of Gratitude and Love” by Dr. John Demartini
‘Radical Forgiveness” by Colin Tipping

I also have some movies and TV shows that I re-watch from time to time to get new insights (my list is huge but these are the best in my opinion):
“Peaceful Warrior” (about importance of the present moment)
“Revolver” (good story showing how we become slaved by our ego)
“Westworld” (amazing representation of how our consciousness works and what happens if we decide to replace God).
“Manifest” (I watched this right before my cancer story happened and I can relate to the story. It’s what about what you are going to do with your second chance, about the power of repentance and forgiveness and importance of listening to yourself).

A huge shout out to my friend Jackie and her husband who supported and keep supporting me. I am blessed to have such people in my life!

I would also like to dedicate my shoutout to my life. To all the lessons I learnt and insights I got. To all that wisdom I acquired along my life journey. To all the people who entered and exited my life. Because everything and everyone in my life was a part of my journey that brought me here where I am in life now.

Website: https://www.takmakova.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ea.takmakova/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elenatakmakova

Image Credits
All photos taken and edited by me (Elena Takmakova)