Yulia Gorbachenko
was well on her way to a career in marketing when a birthday gift that
changed everything. Having graduated with a marketing degree from the
Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics, she scored an
internship in the United States and was excited about entering the
professional world. "During the internship I began to wonder if
marketing was something I really wanted to devote my life to," she says.
It was then that she received that gift: a Canon Rebel XS.
It quickly became clear that photography was what she really wanted
to pursue. "I spent all my spare time photographing, editing, reading
about photography, and basically,
breathing photography," she
says. "I slowly understood that photography was the thing I enjoyed more
than anything else." It soon became clear that she was a natural. "I
won’t deny that I was pretty good as a beginner and that fact made me
even more confident that I found my place," she says. "I actually got so
good at it that the company I was working for hired me to photograph
their main shows instead of dealing with marketing, which was the
initial job I was intended to do. In that point I realized that I found
my real passion in life."
Read more about Gorbachenko and feast your eyes on her dazzling photographs after the jump. With her dream coming into focus, Gorbachenko packed her bags and
headed to New York, where she's made it a reality. She's worked with a
variety of prominent modeling agencies, and her work has been featured
in many major publications, including
Harper's Bazaar Ukraine,
Marie Claire China and
PDN.
She's also been recognized multiple times in the International
Photography Awards, as well as in many other major competitions. In 2010
she signed with
JUMP Management, which recently connected her with a major beauty company for an exciting collaboration later this year.
A look at Gorbachenko's work makes it obvious that she's a
jaw-droppingly talented photographer, but her extraordinary use of color
is particularly remarkable. "For me colors are as important in my works
as composition and cropping, they simply draw the eye of the viewer,"
she says. "Colors can change the mood of the story dramatically so they
give me an amazing opportunity to bring the mood that I want to my
pictures."
She's found 3rd Ward to be the perfect home base for a career that
requires a large studio but also frequently takes her overseas. The
space is there when she needs it and doesn't go to waste when she is
away. She was also drawn to the friendly atmosphere. "When I first
entered 3rd Ward I felt at home," she says. "The people were cool and
nice, and the great design immediately caught my attention."
If you're looking for proof that pursuing your true passion is a
worthy goal, you'd have a hard time finding an example better than
Gorbachenko's story. "Aristotle said that 'pleasure in the job puts
perfection in the work,'" she says, "and I agree with every word.
In addition to her professional work, Gorbachenko will also be
traveling to Russia and Ukraine in February to teach master classes on
fashion and beauty photography. She's also planning workshops in New
York and Washington, DC, so stay tuned to her
Facebook page and
website if you're interested.
And now for more of her stunning images:
-- John Ruscher
