Image courtesy of Elena Shumilova
In spring 2012, Russian architect and mother Elena Shumilova got her first DSLR camera, and by Christmas the same year she became a renowned photographer. In early 2014 her name was all over the internet, and by the end of the year she had been featured in media worldwide. Her story is nothing short of magic.
I saw Elena’s photographs on Flickr in April 2013 and fell in love with them. Back then I had almost zero chance of ever meeting her. I could only dream.
Like in a fairy tale, my dreams came true. Elena Shumilova and Brendan Diver ( Photos From Ireland) hosted her first ever European photography workshop in a beautiful village of Ballyliffin, Inishowen Peninsula, Co. Donegal. I had enrolled for the workshop to have the time of my life. Here is my first post if you missed it.
The luckiest part of it was that I had been helping Elena with interpreting – very little, in fact, since she has good conversational English, but because of this interpreting I had the opportunity to talk with her and to know her as a person.
Elena’s beautiful face radiates that kind of inner peace, you immediately know that she would never pass judgment, never envy, fight, or hate. She is down to earth, caring, intelligent, focused and mature.
Elena says that the famous dog was never photogenic and she almost gave up on him. Then, one day, the photograph ‘just happened’.
Image courtesy of Elena Shumilova
‘Inspiration is crucial, and it should be limitless. Don’t start if you are not inspired. No technical skill will make your viewer empathize with your work. Only the soul and emotional pulse of your photograph matters.
My advice – it is not necessary to look for inspiration in faraway places. Rather, look deep within yourself, your home, your backyard, familiar view from your window. People often get bored with their familiar surroundings and want to leave them for something more exciting, even if it is only in their dreams. I think that it is very important to retain the thrill and fondness for your surroundings, and at the same time focus your eyes and your mind on creating an aesthetically perfect story during both shooting and editing’ – Elena Shumilova
Image courtesy of Elena Shumilova
When should we look for inspiration? Elena suggests that we should look for inspiration even when we feel down, when we are going through the difficult times in our life. It is when we can be most creative.
‘Shoot when the season isn’t ‘beautiful’ in traditional sense, when the trees aren’t golden anymore, their branches stripped of leaves; overcast skies, dirty melting snow, puddles of slush and mud; withered, colorless grass. Wind, snow, rain – everything can look attractive and make a great photograph. Beauty isn’t only about sunshine, lush green grass and blooming flowers.’ – Elena Shumilova
Image courtesy of Elena Shumilova
Elena rarely takes full face shots. She believes that your body expresses emotion better than your face. Poses and gestures are the best story tellers.
Image courtesy of Elena Shumilova
Elena Shumilova’s Photography Workshop was run under the motto Turn Your Dream into Pictures. These words reveal the core of Elena’s exceptional standing as an artist. It was a great experience to see her work; to see how her vision had planted seeds of creativity in her students.
Below, two of Elena’s images from the photo shoot in Inishowen.
Images courtesy of Elena Shumilova
What is Elena’s personal dream? She wants to make a film. Best of luck with that, Elena! Thank you for these three days of magic and inspiration!
You can see and purchase Elena Shumilova’s artwork here.
More to follow…
Have a wonderful weekend!
Making memories 
Wonderful post.
Thank you so much for stopping by!
I saw Elena’s photos before, love them! You lucky meeting Elena, thank you for sharing her experience with us.
Thank you Olivia! It was my dream to meet Elena. Only two years in waiting and the dream came true 🙂
Lucky you. Thanks for sharing your experience and the advice from Elena.
Thank you so much! I am very happy.
OUTSTANDING post!!
Thank you so much for reading! It posted itself last night without me knowing… I must have pressed a wrong button… Should have waited until Friday…
You can repost it – consider this a sneak preview!! Haha, we all make mistakes!!
Ah, it was ready anyway, but still, I almost a got a heart attack 🙂
Hi Inese. This is a lovely biographical post. I’ve seen Elena’s photos before, though I wouldn’t have recognized her name. The photos really do speak strongly, and in such a positive way. Hugs to you both. Have a wonderful Wednesday. 🙂
Thank you so much, Teagan! I was surprised to find this post already published because it was supposed to go live on Friday, but probably when I copied it to send it to Elena for approval, I pressed a wrong button… Oh well… Good it was all done and I don’t have to feel embarrassed. My old age started to annoy me though…
Have a great day! Hugs!!!
We’re not forgetful or old, Inese. We just have too many thoughts crowding our brains. So naturally one or two will fall out from our nose or ears! 😀 Hugs.
Thank you Teagan! I hope you are right 🙂 Hugs!!!
Fantastic images. Beautiful posing.
Thank you so much!
Wow!
Thank you Derrick!
Ms inese, wonderful story and images. And I agree whole heartedly what she said about loving and embracing where you live. Excellent post! Very, very well done indeed …
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Thank you so much for your kind comment! I agree with you that it is very important to appreciate the place where you live. Thank you again!
She certainly sounds inspirational! Her photos are beautiful and it is hard to believe she’s only been using her camera for such a short time. I had not heard of her before this post. Thanks for sharing this Inese!
Thank you so much for your comment! Elena is an architect and she is an artist. Sure it helped when she started photography – it is her ‘secret ingredient’ 🙂
Indeed it is!! (My name is Kate, by the way! Hi Inese!)
Hi Kate! 🙂
I admire her photographs, and I’m happy to have know more about her vision with your words and kindness. Thanks very much, Inese.
Thank you so much for reading! I was having the time of my life 🙂
I have seen some of her photos and they are incredible! How nice you could go to her workshop and get some great words of wisdom!
Thank you so much! Elena’s artistic talent reflects her personality. I have learned a lot, and not only about photography. Amazing three days!
What a great post! I love the quotes of Elena, and of course the amazing photographs! Wonderful! Truly.
Thank you so much! It was amazing experience!
Those are some stunningly beautiful photos. What an inspirational artist. Thank you for this post.
Thank you John! I learned so much in these three days, and most importantly I learned to believe in my dreams 🙂
Her photographs are beautiful and dreams come true? Manifestation is truer. Be well
Thank you for your comment! I love her photography and her vision.
I’m a fan too – fantastic pictures!
Thank you for stopping by! It was such a magic experience!
What a wonderful experience for you! Gorgeous photos!
Thank you so much! It was a pure magic!
It would be like me getting to hang out with Paul McCartney. Except he’d probably end up notifying the authorities.
Haha, you never know before you try. And even if he does? You can write a blog post from the county jail!
I LOVE those photos. She captures light in a dreamlike way that give all her scenes a certain ethereal glow. How lucky you were to meet her! I love the advice to look for beauty in the ordinary day – a lesson for life as well. 🙂
Thank you so much! I am so lucky I cannot believe it is true 🙂
Good on ya, Elena!
Thank you, John! She is amazing!
Glorious and so moving! Love these~
Thank you so much, Cindy!
Nice post Inese, glad you had a good time in the workshop!
Thank you so much, Pat! I had no idea I posted it! It was supposed to get posted Friday, but I probably had pressed the wrong button 🙂 Surprised myself this morning 🙂