Meet Yulia Kallestinova | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yulia Kallestinova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yulia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It all started with a simple hobby: I was fascinated by photo portraits. I loved seeing myself, my friends, and family looking beautiful in photos. It brought me joy to capture their beauty, show them the pictures, and see their smiles and happiness. I wanted them to love their photos and feel proud to share them with their loved ones.

When I became a mom, the importance of preserving those fleeting moments became even more apparent. This passion, combined with the desire to help others keep their special memories, motivated me to turn my hobby into a profession. I recognized a unique opportunity to provide personalized and heartfelt photography services, focusing on the special bonds within families, the joy in everyday moments, and the beauty of life’s milestones. This blend of personal passion and the desire to offer a valuable service to others was the foundation of my decision to start my own photography business.

What should our readers know about your business?
My photography business in Coralville, IA, specializes in studio, family, maternity, newborn, portrait, and lifestyle photography. What sets me apart is my passion for paying attention to details—both when capturing pictures and during editing. I love capturing genuine emotions and unique moments that truly reflect my clients’ personalities and stories.

Starting this business was driven by my lifelong passion for photography. It all began with a simple hobby—I was fascinated by photo portraits and loved making my friends and family look beautiful in pictures. Seeing their smiles and joy when they loved their photos was incredibly rewarding, and it inspired me to turn this passion into a profession. When I became a mother, the importance of preserving fleeting moments became even clearer, which further solidified my resolve to start my own photography business.

The journey wasn’t easy. One of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make was moving to the USA and starting over in a new country. Leaving behind my family, friends, and everything familiar to build a new life was incredibly challenging. This move brought a lot of uncertainties and required significant adjustments, especially as I was also navigating being a new mom.

Adapting to a new culture and establishing a support network from scratch while caring for my young daughter was daunting. On top of that, I made the decision to pursue my passion for photography professionally. This meant investing time and resources into education and equipment, and building a clientele in an unfamiliar environment.

The move and the career change were both significant risks, but they were driven by a desire for a better future and the opportunity to follow my passion.

Through this journey, I’ve learned the importance of continuous education, genuine client relationships, and staying true to my creative vision. I want the world to know that my brand is all about capturing the essence of life’s most beautiful moments, offering high-quality, personalized photography services that clients can cherish forever.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend and their kids were visiting for a week, I’d take them to some of my favorite places in Coralville, Iowa City, and Des Moines. We’d start with a relaxing day at Kent Park, enjoying the beautiful trails and peaceful lake views. We’d also spend a day at Lake Macbride, where we could rent a boat and have some fun on the water. Another must-see is Maquoketa Caves State Park, with its amazing caves and rugged trails offering a great adventure.

In Coralville, we’d visit the Devonian Fossil Gorge, where we could imagine walking on an ancient ocean floor from 375 million years ago. The Iowa Children’s Museum would be perfect for the kids, followed by a walk at Iowa River Landing. A visit to Wilson’s Orchard would add some charm, and for meals, we’d enjoy local favorites like Bluebird Diner and Basta Pizzeria Ristorante.

In Iowa City, we’d stroll through the city center, visit the Old Capitol, and explore the downtown Farmers Market. For our trip to Des Moines, we’d check out the Science Center of Iowa, the Museum of Natural History, the Old Capitol, Blank Park Zoo, and the Des Moines Art Center. And of course, we’d have a fun meal at Zombie Burger.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a big shoutout to a few special people: My Husband: When I decided to invest in studio lighting education, he said, “Go for it, you never know if you don’t try,” and that gave me the push I needed. My Parents: Their love and support have always been my foundation. My Friends in the USA: Dasha Lincoln is always there for me. I’m so happy to know her—she has given so much support and time to me and my business that I can’t express it enough. Natasha Rozina is another friend I want to mention. I met Natasha while studying photography lighting, and even though she lives in Florida, we’re always in touch. It feels like I’ve known her forever. She has been a constant source of encouragement and inspiration. Thank you all for being part of my journey!

Website: https://www.yuliakallestinova.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yulia.kallestinova_photography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Yulia.Kallestinova/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/yulia-kallestinova-photography-coralville-2

Image Credits
Photo 1: Stephannie Fox-Dixon and Sofia Rose Suiter
Photo 2: Baby HWF
Photo 3: Rhys and Cambal Luu
Photo 4: Sreymom Chan
Photo 5: Ace and Lydia Richeal
Photo 6: Nichole Richardt with baby daughter
Photo 7: Julia Christine Scherer
Photo 8: Joanna Kyte with kids