Hello, I’m Artem and this is my website.
I enjoy seeing people through the lens and capturing moments of life, smiles, warm hugs, or strong gazes that last forever. Forever, if you manage to download these photos for yourself, of course)
If I were to write a book telling about my passion for photography, it would start like this:
Ukraine. Zhytomyr Oblast. Urban-type settlement Khoroshiv. 1998.
As you can understand from the year, the photographer's story doesn't start with me. It starts with my dad. He had several film cameras and large video cameras. He took incredible photos and very bad videos. To this day he still takes pictures, just of flowers:
Good thing he doesn't film it.
Good thing he doesn't film it.
I remember I took my first shot when hormones and inspiration hit me – around 11-12 years old. My dad gave me a camera to bring to camp (he could have given just more money). Those were my first and last photos on film. And slow dances weren't the last.
Afterwards, I took a lot of photos on iPhone and GoPro:
The first time I took a real camera on a trip was to Paris in 2016. My good friend lent me his Fujifilm x100t. I remember hiding it when some passerby attacked me around three in the morning. I still have a scar on my hand but I saved the camera; I am a good friend.
After Paris, I often borrowed this camera from him for my travels. No, I'm not a masochist, and I didn't expect attacks again. It seems I saw what I wanted to take with me into the future through the lens: frames, details, people, horizons, and colors.
While taking the camera on trips, I became its owner– maybe I’m not a very good friend after all. Because of that, an artist (thank you Yura).
As if opening a time capsule, I have a memory of my first shoot when I tried to photograph professionally. It was in Norway, in 2018. My friend, a different one, had a professional Canon camera. I brought it to the city and went wherever my eyes could see – to take photos.
This time I returned the camera. In 2020, I took the camera again, taking great photos on the beach in Brazil. I remember that moment because I felt a strong apathy towards everything I did. One evening, the only thing I wanted was to take photos. To see the world, but not with my own eyes. I grabbed the camera and went to the beach to capture moments. And you know what? I've never received more pleasant feedback. It was after this, I realized, I genuinely do take good photos.
When I got home, I immediately booked my first clients. I earned my first $30 doing my favorite activity. It was a wonderful feeling. I wish I could transmit emotions via Bluetooth.
Then there was my first wedding. I was supposed to be the host, but something went wrong. No, actually everything went as it should have been– yes, I was taking photos:
I always had a desire to shoot: people, nature, sunsets, food, or the movement of a train. Anything, really. But now, finally, I've gained the courage to share and promote my creativity.
Let the book be endless. Let's carve out moments. And thank you for the camera you put in my bag for camp, Dad.