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

Hi Valeria, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I always enjoyed taking pictures, but for a long time, it was just a hobby for me. When I moved to California from my home country, I felt a bit lost: I didn’t understand what I want to do or who I want to become. I tried different things: copywriting, translation, and web design. At some point, I began to study photography basics. It was fun, and I enjoyed it a lot. I wanted to learn more about photography and photo editing. I spent hundreds of hours studying and practicing. Becoming a professional photographer was my dream. Over time, I gained more confidence in my photography skills. One day I decided, that I’m ready to turn my hobby into a business and do photography professionally.

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.
When I started doing photography, I was inspired by beautiful Californian nature. I’m a big nature and travel lover, and that’s why outdoor photography has become my main specialization. I like to find harmony and connection between nature and a person, and show this connection through my photos. A combination of professional equipment, deep knowledge of photo theory, and strong editing skills allows me to create vivid, artistic photos, that help people save their most precious moments. My way to professional photography wasn’t always smooth, but I never ever thought about giving up. My deep love for photography, as well as my persistence and hard-working nature, helped me get to where I am now. I’m constantly learning and developing my skills in photography and photo editing, and I’m always open to new ideas.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a photographer and a big nature lover, I would take my friend to the most scenic places around LA, where we can enjoy beautiful nature and take stunning photos. These are some of my favorite locations in the LA area: – El Matador Beach, Malibu
– Manhattan Beach Pier
– Crescent Bay Beach, Laguna Beach
– Griffith Observatory
– Pasadena City Hall
– Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens
– Point Vicente Lighthouse, Rancho Palos Verdes
– Santa Monica Pier

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a credit to a wonderful photographer Tetiana Nevmerzhytska. When I first saw her photos, I was mesmerized by their beauty and fairy-tale look. I took Tetiana’s courses, which changed my photography view to 180 degrees! My editing skills also improved a lot. Nowadays I not only do photoshoots myself but also help other photographers with artistic retouching.

Website: www.valevitalyphotos.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/valevitaly_photos

Facebook: www.facebook.com/valevita.k

Image Credits
Models: Nicole, Vera, Rebecca, Alohi, Natalia, Olga, Yris, Anastasia Photographer and retoucher: Valeria Kasatkina

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