Meet Elena Petrova | Fashion Editorial Photographer & Creative Director

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

Hi Elena, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
The decision came naturally to me. As a child, I realized that my strengths didn’t lie in mathematics, and science didn’t interest me as much. On the other hand, my imagination, writing skills, and deep connection to art were flourishing. Growing up in St. Petersburg, the cultural capital of Russia, I was exposed to various art forms such as paintings, ballet, theater, cinema, and photography, which captivated me. As I grew older, I developed an appreciation for the creative expressions found in fashion magazines. My best friend and I would eagerly purchase fashion magazines like ELLE, VOGUE, and Marie Claire, engaging in discussions about their captivating editorials.

Choosing the exact artistic path to follow was a challenge. Initially, I believed that pursuing a career in journalism and writing was the right path for me, so I majored in journalism at University. However, when I started taking photography classes as part of my curriculum, I experienced an overwhelming sense of excitement and fulfillment that I had not found in writing. It became clear to me that my true passion lay in creating images. Although I obtained my Masters in Journalism, when I moved to Los Angeles, I made the decision to study photography and pursue it as my career. Since then, I have found immense joy and satisfaction in this choice. Sometimes, I wonder about the other creative endeavors I might have pursued if not for photography. Directing films, in particular, resonate with me as they involve immersive and imaginative storytelling, which I strive to incorporate into my photography.

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.
Great questions! I believe what sets me apart is my commitment to constantly pushing boundaries and exploring how to tell a story and evoke feelings in my photography. Finding and incorporating new ways and techniques to create images that fit my concept are what I’m most excited about. I’ve always been driven by curiosity, never shying away from experimenting. This has allowed me to develop a diverse portfolio and approach each project with a fresh perspective.

My journey as a photographer has not always been easy. Like any creative pursuit, there have been challenges along the way. However, I have learned to embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is the importance of perseverance and resilience. There have been moments when self-doubt has crept in, but I have always found the strength to keep going, keep pushing myself to create, and keep shooting. While I acknowledge the progress I’ve made thus far, I still consider myself a photographer on a continuous journey of growth and learning. I’m eager to take on new assignments, embrace fresh challenges, and further refine my skills. I’m excited for the future!

I take pride in my commitment to excellence in every aspect of my craft. Prior to each shoot, I invest significant time and effort into pre-production, ensuring that every detail is carefully considered. By doing so, I am able to deliver images that not only satisfy my artistic vision but also exceed the expectations of my clients. What I want the world to know about me is that I am deeply passionate about photography. I believe that true success lies in the combination of passion, dedication, and meticulous preparation. I strive to create captivating and meaningful images that evoke emotions and tell stories. When I am able to achieve that, both as an artist and to the satisfaction of my clients, I consider it a true measure of success.

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.
It really depends on the friend, but ideally I would skip the usual touristy activities and show them a glimpse of the local experience. For breakfast I would take my friend to Republique or Met Her At A Bar, which are my favorite breakfast/brunch places on La Brea. Summer has officially begun and my must go place during this season is the Hollywood Bowl! I love the outdoor concert experience and that you can enjoy a picnic before or even during the concert. I always have a good time there and it’s a great idea to take a friend who is visiting.

I would also take a trip to Pacific Palisades, where I used to live, and see the beautiful ocean views through different hiking trails. Then after, treat my friend to delicious frozen yogurt at the Yogurt Shoppe in Palisades Village. My favorite flavors are the honey Greek yogurt and tart, but every week they have new flavors.

Aero Theater on Montana Ave is the place to go to see classic old movies. Last year we went to a screening of “Chinatown” and one of the people in the audience was Alejandro Innaritu! So, if you are lucky, you may meet one of your favorite filmmakers there. Another great movie theater where I would take my friend to see independent and foreign films is the Laemmle Monica Film Center on 2nd street in Santa Monica where you can also enjoy a glass of wine or beer.

We would definitely spend a day in Malibu, relax on the beach and enjoy the scenic surroundings of Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Then take a stroll to explore Adamson House Museum, the first house built in Malibu, and to Malibu Pier. I would treat my friend to a delicious lobster roll at the Broad Street Oyster Company.

The Getty Villa is another unique place in Malibu for its collection of art and beautiful views of the ocean that would likely take half a day on its own, but a trip to the Getty Center is a must! I love everything from the tram going to the hill and revealing a beautiful view of the city to their remarkable architecture, incredible views and impressive art exhibitions.

I would take my friend to Abbot Kinney in Venice for its trendy shops, people-watching and trying unusual ice cream flavors at Salt and Straw. Finally, I would wrap up the trip with dinner at the oldest restaurant in Hollywood, The Musso and Frank Grill. Make sure to get a reservation if you decide to give it a try!

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 would like to dedicate my shoutout to my biggest fan, mentor, and husband, Saman, who has been by my side since the beginning of my journey as a photographer. From the early stages of our relationship, he had a genuine interest in my work. I still remember when I shared my black and white series of portraits depicting mothers and their daughters on our first date, which I had created for a portraiture class, and his encouragement and belief in my abilities. His unwavering support and enthusiasm became a constant source of motivation for me.

As a cinematographer and director, Saman’s expertise has been instrumental in my growth as a photographer. Whenever I came up with an idea for an editorial photoshoot, he encouraged me to delve deeper and develop it into a comprehensive concept. Together, we would collaborate on bringing these concepts to life. Through this process, he not only imparted valuable technical knowledge but also taught me to think critically about storytelling. We have even had the opportunity to work together on certain projects, and those moments on set have been some of the most fulfilling and enjoyable experiences of my career. I am forever grateful for Saman’s guidance and mentorship.

Website: www.elenapetrova.photography

Instagram: iamelenapetrova_

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/elena-petrova-photo

Image Credits
1. Ballerina: Lada Ivanova Stylist: Kseniia Zinina HMUA: Yana Levina 2.Model: Natalia Garcia HMUA: Justine Reilly Fashion Designer: Ruby Cai 3. Acrobats: James & Megan HMUA: Justine Reilly Stylist: Allissa Cargile 4. Model: Dasha Stylist: Kseniia Zinina HMUA: Yana Levina 5. Models: Sasha Pereira & Askyla Delaplaine HMUA: Justine Reilly 6. Model: Emily O’Dette Stylist: Marie Monsod @ Recess 7. Model: Emily O’Dette Stylist: Marie Monsod @ Recess 8. Model: Anastasia Bergman Creative Director: Julia Latkins MUA: Darya Kholodnykh Stylist: Katerina Yanke