Hello, I'm Evgeniya Dovgalyuk, a Russian photographer who lives abroad.

I didn’t get a high education as a photographer.

All of the knowledge I have, I’ve got from different online courses and YouTube videos. So can I say that I am a self-made photographer? :)

I don’t remember the first shot, but I remember the first film. It was a black and white film. I worked as a counselor at the summer camp. I made a few portraits for my coworkers for sure.

And then we moved beds from one building to another. I realised that the bed in the woods looks really great and a little bit weird. I like that! So I made a shot with the bed standing in the woods.

I have transitioned from film to digital photography. Currently, I use two digital cameras. Sony for commercial and art projects, and the tiny Fujifilm for everyday use and travel.

My ultimate goal as a photographer is to create images that evoke deep emotions and tell meaningful stories. I aim to capture the essence of the human experience, even in its most vulnerable and profound moments.

The compliment that truly touched me was when one guy decided to be a photographer because of me. I have inspired him and it was so great!

My storytelling is deeply influenced by my personal experiences and emotions. The themes of emptiness, loss, and the human condition are central to my work. Additionally, the exploration of nature and the contrast between vulnerability and strength drive me to create images that resonate with viewers.

Emotive, Vulnerable, Introspective.

This recognition motivates me to continue exploring new avenues of storytelling and pushes the boundaries of my artistic expression.

This project was particularly close to my heart as it is about my family. When my country began the terrible war in Ukraine, my husband and I left Russia. Our families are still there.

In the photograph, we are sitting naked at the rainbow hills. Our hands and legs are bound. We are unprotected but we are together. We are the only ones we have at the moment. And it is so powerful to me, because we can do everything together.

I’m just in the beginning of my art journey. But this award makes me feel that I have done everything right.

Saul Leiter, Nick Night, Tim Walker.

One of the best pieces of advice I received was to always stay true to my artistic vision and emotions. Because true emotions are the key to strong art. And the second great advice was “shoot more!”.

I would advise aspiring photographers to explore their emotions and personal experiences as sources of inspiration. Dive into the technical aspects of photography, but also prioritise developing your own unique style that reflects your inner voice. And remember, photography is not just about capturing images; it's about telling stories.