INTERVIEW WITH MARINA YANOVSKAYA

OCA Magazine: Please tell us about yourself and your creative activity/work.
Maria Yanovskaya: My first contact with photography as an art form happened when at 19 I started working at Kodak’s office in Moscow. There I was fortunate to have met incredible professional photographers whose works graced the covers of global magazines and shaped how the world saw Russia. Some became mentors and friends as I started experimenting with cameras myself. Being in the epicentre of photographic artistry and witnessing the myriad ways in which life could be framed and interpreted, sparked my journey of exploration and helped me discover my own photographic style and narrative. As I continued to evolve as a photographer, the focus of my lens crystallised – I am interested in capturing moments, architecture, nature, and people in which the old and new coexist simultaneously, what I like to call “time machine magic moments.”

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative space or life?
MY: My first job at Kodak opened doors for me to the tight-knit photography circles like “Camera Obscura,” edited by the talented Sergey Kosyanov, the ProLab Centre, and Olga Sviblova’s Museum of Photography. I also formed friendships with celebrated figures like Valery Gende-Rote, the Soviet photojournalist behind the iconic portrait of Yuri Gagarin saluting Nikita Khruschev, Sophia Loren visiting Moscow, etc. His stories of capturing the perfect shot were both fascinating and infectious. I also had the privilege of working with Nikolay Rakhmanov, known for his iconic photographs of the Kremlin’s churches and golden cathedral’s domes and crosses. Their mentorship, along with the opportunity to study their masterpieces, visit their studios and hear the behind-the-scenes stories, made me want to learn more, know other photographers and experiment with styles.

OCA: What is your main achievement in 2023-2024?
MY: Over the past year, I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to the interplay of light and shadow, discovering how it transforms familiar landscapes into something almost otherworldly. Whether it’s the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across a weathered churchyard or the flickering glow inside a centuries-old pub, light has become a key element in my work. This exploration has taken me to both urban and rural spaces across Britain – places where history feels tangible. From the stone cottages of the Cotswolds to the windswept castles of the Scottish Highlands, these settings seem to defy time, especially when viewed through the right balance of light and darkness.

In many ways, these subtle manipulations of light have helped me capture what I think of as “time machine” moments – those rare instances where the present melts away and you’re left standing in a space that feels untouched by the passage of centuries. These moments aren’t just found in grand, iconic landmarks, but in the smallest details: a moss-covered stone, a worn wooden beam, or the faces of locals who seem as timeless as the places they inhabit. This journey of photographing Britain’s living history has been my most fulfilling achievement in 2023-2024, as it has allowed me to not only document these spaces but to make their stories come alive in my work.
OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?
MY: I’m drawn to scenes that most people pass by without noticing – a weathered building, a quiet street corner, or a patch of nature fighting to survive in the midst of the city. These small, seemingly insignificant details grant the world its sanity back. Through my lens, I capture these overlooked moments, preserving them as reminders that despite everything, there is still stability, resilience, and grace in the everyday. It’s these fragments of calm in a turbulent world that remind me, and hopefully others, that beauty persists, even in the simplest of forms.

OCA: Tell us, please, about the events or projects of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects that you have already taken part in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?
MY: The Eurasian Creative Guild has provided a platform that brings together a diverse range of creatives, offering not just opportunities for exposure but also a supportive community that fosters collaboration and growth. My participation in the 4th International Festival of Poetry and Visual Arts “Voices of Friends”, where I won 2nd place for photography, was a significant moment for me. Being part of this collective has given me new perspectives and new energy and ideas that continue to push me forward and create.

OCA: What is your motivation and the main aim of your creativity?
MY: For me, photography is therapeutic. It’s more than just a job or a passion—it’s how I make sense of the world and navigate difficult times. Heading out with my camera and capturing moments that feel frozen in time is like a personal celebration of the constancy that still exists in life. It helps me ground myself, offering a way to slow down the relentless pace of the world. In those moments, I can forget about the wars, catastrophes, cruelty, and injustices that often dominate the headlines. Photography becomes my way of rediscovering who I am, reaffirming that beneath the chaos, there’s still normality, beauty, and peace to be found.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people, just starting their career?
MY: I would encourage members of the Guild and those just starting their creative journey to trust in their own voice and vision. The more you lean into your individuality, the more unique and powerful your work will become. While it’s valuable to learn from others, it’s crucial to carve out your own path—don’t be afraid to take risks or explore unconventional ideas. Creativity thrives on independence, and the more you allow yourself to be guided by your own instincts and passions, the stronger and more original your artistic expression will be.