Meet Anastasiia Deriabina | Product Photographer and Prop Stylist

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

Hi Anastasiia, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?

Yes, of course I have.

I try to set goals for each day (preferably in the evening).

And try to complete the most difficult tasks first, then proceed to the easier ones.

It’s very important to finish what you started to the end (do not quit halfway, even if difficulties arise).

Every time I learn something new (I constantly take courses in my profession, as well as in related fields).

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I have been doing portrait photography for 11 years, the last 2 of them – fashion photography. My works has been published in many fashion magazines and participated in exhibitions. I have always been interested in people, they inspired me to take photographs. But when the pandemic happened, for obvious reasons, I began to photograph nature. From nature, I gradually moved to inanimate objects. And what previously seemed boring and uninteresting began to slowly capture my whole being. I began to admire modern advertising photography, especially prop styling. I could spend hours looking at other photographers works whose pictures show the work of product photography stylists. It became interesting for me to try myself as a set designer and product stylist. I began to actively study this new direction. It would seem that I continued to do photography, but portrait and product photography are not the same. I opened a portal to another reality (laugh). In my work, I like not only to take pictures, but also to build a set design from the scratch. Also, the process of preparing for shooting is very interesting. When you look at a product and try to come up with a story for it. Choose the right props, background, matching colors, materials, fabrics and textures. Then look for the right props in stores.

I used to admire advertising photography, but it seemed that it was done not by people, but by gods (How did they do it?). It seemed technically difficult (in general it is). What used to seem unrealistic is real now.  I like to guess and understand exactly how this or that shooting was done by other photographers.

In my work, a well-developed imagination and observation are important. I like to come up with the concept of shooting and bring ideas to life. I love the process of creation, when something comes out of nothing.

How has my life changed when prop styling came into my life? I want to regularize things and bring them to harmony (laughs). Simple walks by the ocean, in the city or anywhere turned into a treasure hunt (you never know what can come in handy on the set). Usually I come from walks with unusual objects, flowers, plants, branches, shells (just like in childhood). Although I love minimalism and hate clutter up, I had to buy a separate cabinet for props. I love order and cleanliness, it helps to keep the focus where it is needed. Going to the grocery store is different now. In addition to home shopping, you choose vegetables, fruits or flowers with unusual shape or color. So simple routine things can become not so boring. When visiting friends, I also inadvertently look for interesting little things in the interior. And I consciously pay attention to how the shop windows and retail spaces in stores are decorated. It’s great when the focus of your attention can be captured by non-obvious and not so interesting things for someone. What else? I guess I started paying more attention to interior design and 3 D design (CGI).

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.

As a photographer, aesthetics are very important to me. On digital map in my phone there are many marks of beautiful, authentic and unusual places. If my best friend came to LA I would show him these places:

Getty Museum – amazing place with art, sculpture, beautiful gardens and scenic city view.

Getty Villa in Malibu – If you miss Europe go to this outstanding museum dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. 

LACMA – the largest art museum in the western United States.

Inn of the Seventh Ray – romantic and elegant restaurant in the forest (outdoors dining surrounded by trees).

Self-Realization Fellowship Temple – breathtaking place for meditation.

I can list for a long time, my friend will definitely not be bored. Now I live in Beverly Hills and consider it the heart of Los Angeles.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I want to thank my husband for the support (he believes in me unconditionally) and my friends who encouraged me, seeing my efforts.

Website: https://www.deryabinan.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deryabinan/