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

Hi Valeriia, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?

I was born and raised in Cherkasy, Ukraine and moved to Ottawa, Canada when I was 17. These days, I tend to think about how lucky I was to have had a happy childhood and to have grown up in an environment that allowed me to be creative, whether it was at school or in any extracurricular activities I was involved in back then. My initial inspiration has always come from home, because Ukraine is full of art and talent, and I am very proud of my background and my beginnings.

At the start, it was more about finding something that I truly loved as opposed to starting a business. I was 13 at the time, trying to have fun with my Lumix, so my career wasn’t the focus yet. I remember begging my mom for permission to take photos of my friends on a newly bought DSLR. She was afraid that if I took the camera outside, I would most likely break it (not to say she was wrong to think that).
Eventually, as my passion progressed, she had to give in, and once I had a tool, I really started noticing the difference in how I treated my photography. It became a place of my vision, my creations, and my dedication to showcasing the beauty of people and life around me.
Slowly but surely, I built up a clientele of people from my hometown in Ukraine who were interested in creating with me. My freelance work as a photographer hasn’t stopped since.
When the full-scale Russian invasion began in 2022, I found myself escaping and coping with photography.
I feel deeply sorry for the countless families affected, for my family, for all my friends. It’s very unfair and heartbreaking to live this life here, knowing that people I love so much are still experiencing a cruel and inhumane war in 2023.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

The biggest risk I’ve taken so far was moving to Ottawa, Canada, alone for school six years ago. Looking back, I don’t even know how I did it because as I get older, decisions like that seem a lot harder to make. However, I think risks are important for growth, and if I hadn’t moved, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. This experience really allowed me to have a more open mind. I’ve been able to meet so many people from all over the world, learn so much, and mature as an individual. I can’t be more grateful for this venture, and I want to keep challenging myself to create meaningful opportunities. You can catch me in Vancouver this summer!
Lots of factors influence the success of a brand, but in my opinion, human connection and devotion to every project matter the most. With my photography, I’ve always wanted to be adaptable and versatile. I seek a balance between my vision and the authenticity of every person I work with. For me, it’s important to tell their story the way they envisioned it from the start, while implementing my own style.
It’s truly hard to see myself wanting only one thing in the end, especially seeing how much the world has to offer now. I could say I would love to have worked with famous fashion brands or have shot for Vogue or Fashion Weeks. I could say I would love to have a tour exhibiting my photos around the world or open my own studio. I see these dreams as part of the journey, my growth process, steps along the way to fulfill my ambitions. I believe life is about constantly evolving, and what I know for sure is that I want to be happy and content with my art at the end of the day, hoping that it was meaningful, timeless, and made an impact.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite spot to show my friends is the Alexandra Bridge. It connects Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Quebec. I love walking there because I get to see the downtown and the Parliament of Canada on one side, and the Museum of History on the other, with a river view in between. This place truly brings me peace. Also, if you are in Ottawa, check out Giulia on Elgin St., my favourite pizza place in town. 🙂

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I feel so grateful and lucky to have the best family in the world. My mom deserves the biggest shoutout for being so loving, supportive, and caring. Thank you to my friends for believing in me and encouraging me to move forward. Shoutout to all the beautiful people I have had the opportunity to create with — for their trust, consideration, and for pushing the limits, allowing me to bring their vision to life.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriiarts/

Image Credits
IG: @karls.vb @ke.ene @beleveryanto @tani.olorunyomi

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.