photographer in Pittsburgh
The story of your family in your hands
My mission is
To empower women to see the honor and beauty in their role as guardians of their family's stories and traditions, keeping them vibrant for future generations.
istorically, in many cultures, it's usually us, women, who take care of keeping family history alive. We share family stories
with our kids through tales and folklore, explore our family roots, collect photos, recipes, letters, and keep journals to capture important moments in our family's life. The story of your family in your hands!
H
you ask
How can documentary photography help?
ince its beginning, documentary photography has always made a strong emotional impact on viewers. It pulls you in
the atmosphere of the moment when the photo was taken and helps you connect with the people and moments captured. Viewers can empathize and even feel the emotions in the photos, making them more memorable and meaningful.
S
After session
The words I hear most often in clients reviews
“I loved being myself and not playing any roles”
“I loved natural interactions”
“My heart squeeze every time I look at the photos”
“Much less stressed than our usual photo session-it’s very important”
“I didn’t realize my everyday life is so cool!”
“Kids ask when we can do it again?!”
“I am already excited to see these in a years”
From Tatiana
Review
Olga, I'm beyond grateful for the beautiful photos you took of us! You captured the little moments that truly define us, and looking at them brings tears to my eyes.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
From Ashley
Review
Oh. My. Gosh. Olga!! You never cease to amaze me. These pictures are absolutely beautiful!! You are so talented.
Thank you so, so much! I can’t wait to show everyone these!
Thank you so, so much! I can’t wait to show everyone these!
From Devin
Review
Oh my gosh these are stunning!! We were looking at these just now and just saying how we could never pick a favorite because they are all so beautiful. Thank you so much, Olga!!!
With me, it’s the opposite! The most valuable is the unstaged. Alive! When nobody tries to impress, and real emotions are captured: if kids, they’re little rascals, laughing, fighting, with crookedly buttoned shirts and one slipper —where’s the other?
so, Documentary photography
It’s the opposite of those stiff, posed photo sessions where everyone’s groomed, dressed up, and frozen in a beautiful pose on the photographer’s command.
Not polished/groomed honor students; if adults, they’re engaged in something homey and real, not forced smiles in front of a fake studio fireplace. Remember, you’re making your family’s history! Don’t wait for tomorrow — capture, preserve and pass in on.
For many years of life and work I have formed my own unique aesthetic and style. This is how I see the world and how I convey color, form, composition, subject and content through photography. It happened slowly, influenced by my love of art, film and literature and more so by the talented teachers I was fortunate enough to learn from.
More about me
about me
Hi, I’m Olga.
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you asking
Frequently asked questions
Unlike posed or staged photography, documentary photography is all about catching genuine, candid moments as they happen. It’s about storytelling and authenticity.
Sometimes! Usually everything is captured as it naturally happens. This keeps the story real and authentic. But if the family is requesting a classic family shot as well, we will make it happen by the end of the session.
I work with a mirrorless camera Canon R5 and versatile lenses like a 24-70mm or a 35mm prime. But really, it’s more about the story than the gear!
I avoid staging or altering scenes and keep post-processing minimal. Just basic adjustments like exposure and color correction to keep the integrity of the images.
Absolutely! I’m flexible and prepared to work in all sorts of environments, whether it’s a home, bustling city, nature or a remote village.
It’s a mix of instinct, experience, and understanding the story I’m trying to tell. Observing and anticipating key moments helps me capture the right shots.
It varies a lot. Some projects might take a few hours, others a whole day, depending on the story.
Once the project is done, I carefully edit and curate the photos to create a cohesive story. They can be shared through the online gallery, photo books. I also make sure the subjects are informed and, if appropriate, get to see the final work.
Just reach out to me through my website or email. We can discuss your project and figure out the best way to make it happen.
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