Fotografinja in vizualna umetnica Olya Helga spreminja fotografijo v jezik čustev, globine in preobrazbe. Znana po svoji metodi Photo Art Therapy, njeno delo presega lepoto in vstopa v področje čustvene resnice, kjer vsaka podoba postane ogledalo avtentičnosti in ženske moči.
Začeli ste kot fotografinja, danes pa ustvarjate celotne vizualne svetove, tako za komercialne kot osebne projekte. Kako so vaše ukrajinske korenine, potovanja in selitev v Los Angeles oblikovali vaš umetniški pogled?
Rodila sem se v Kijevu in odraščanje v Ukrajini je oblikovalo moj umetniški pogled skozi iskrenost, čustveno globino in močno kulturno podlago. Ukrajinci čutimo zelo globoko in ta čustvena občutljivost je postala temelj mojega vizualnega jezika.
Potovanja so ta temelj razširila. Izkušnje različnih kultur, estetik in načinov življenja so razvile mojo globalno perspektivo o lepoti in izražanju. Vsak kraj je dodal nove čustvene teksture in vizualne ideje.
Selitev v Los Angeles je odprla novo poglavje. Kinematografska svetloba, ustvarjalna svoboda in razsežnost priložnosti so me navdihnile, da sem začela graditi vizualne svetove in čustvene pripovedi namesto le beleženja trenutkov.
Ukrajina mi je dala globino in iskrenost. Potovanja so mi dala radovednost in širino. Los Angeles pa mi je dal razsežnost in vizijo, usmerjeno v prihodnost.
Vaše delo se osredotoča na globoko ženskost. Povejte nam več o svoji metodi Photo Art Therapy. Zakaj je danes ta pristop pomemben za ženske?
Photo Art Therapy je metoda, pri kateri fotografija postane orodje za samopovezavo in čustveno prisotnost. Ne gre za poziranje ali iskanje popolnosti: gre za mehkobo, tišino in resnico. Ustvarim varen prostor, kjer se ženska lahko upočasni, zadihuje in sreča samo sebe, brez pričakovanj ali pritiska. Ko se počuti varno, se njena naravna izraznost pojavi in njena energija se odpre.
Mnoge ženske mi povedo, da se še nikoli niso videle na tak način. Izkušnjo opisujejo kot prizemljeno, meditativno (kot vrnitev k svojemu pravemu jazu). Fotografije nato postanejo opomnik, kdo v resnici so onkraj primerjav, filtrov ali nastopanja. V svetu, ki ga določata hitrost in popolnost, je moje poslanstvo ženske vračati v njihovo prisotnost.
Prava ženskost ni videz, je stanje iskrenosti, globine, mehkobe in notranje moči.
V vašem komercialnem delu združujete estetiko in čustvo. Kako veste, kdaj je fotografija zares avtentična?
Avtentičnost se zgodi, ko se vse uskladi, tako oseba, svetloba, energija kot tudi zgodba. Takrat vse steče brez napora, nič ni prisiljeno. Včasih se to zgodi v prvem kadru, včasih v zadnjem, a vedno pride trenutek, ko oseba pred kamero preneha igrati in preprosto obstaja. Takrat posnetek oživi. Takrat vem, da imam pravo sliko.
Vizualna kultura je danes prenasičena. Kako ostajate zvesti svojemu glasu namesto, da bi sledili trendom?
Trende spoštujem, vendar jih ne postavljam za temelj svojega dela. Moj cilj ni tekmovati z vizualnim hrupom, temveč ustvarjati čustveni pomen. Tišina, opazovanje in namen me ohranjajo osrediščeno.
Preučujem umetnost, film, psihologijo in arhitekturo. Discipline, ki mojemu delu dajejo globino onkraj hitrih ciklov. Vedno si zastavim eno vprašanje: Ali bo ta podoba še vedno delovala in bila lepa čez nekaj let? Če je odgovor pritrdilen, nadaljujem v tej smeri.
Trendi pridejo in gredo. Resnica ostaja.
Vaša pot vključuje sodelovanje z mednarodnimi blagovnimi znamkami, ustanovitelji in mediji. Kako je ta izkušnja vplivala na vaš umetniški in profesionalni pogled?
Sodelovanje z globalnimi blagovnimi znamkami in ustvarjalnimi voditelji mi je dalo globoko razumevanje identitete, čustev in vizualnega pripovedovanja. Vodila sem kampanje in uredniške projekte za CHAGEE, Veiled, Maria Lucia Hohan, L’AGENCE, Andreeva, Black Suede Studio in Allies of Skin.
Moje delo je bilo objavljeno v Vogue, Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, L’Officiel, Grazia in drugih mednarodnih revijah, kar je le še potrdilo moje prepričanje, da ima fotografija kulturni in čustveni vpliv.
Ko sem videla, da moje podobe oblikujejo percepcijo blagovnih znamk in dvigujejo ustanovitelje, sem spoznala, da lahko vizualni jezik ustvari resnično povezavo in spremeni, kako ljudje vidijo sebe in svet.
Resničen vpliv zahteva čustveno inteligenco, natančnost in sposobnost prevesti osebnost ter identiteto v sliko. Močna podoba ni le nekaj, kar vidimo, temveč nekaj, kar začutimo in si zapomnimo.
Danes vizualne podobe oblikujejo identiteto in čustva. Kako vidite prihodnost vizualnega pripovedovanja?
Prihodnost fotografije leži v čustveni inteligenci, ne v popolnosti. Ljudje so utrujeni od pritiska in predstave. Premikamo se proti iskrenosti, globini, prisotnosti in čustvu.
Moje delo povezuje umetnost, psihologijo in žensko energijo, in moj cilj je prispevati k tej kulturni spremembi.
“Fotografija danes ni več samo to, kar vidimo, temveč to, kar čutimo in kdo postajamo skozi proces,” je ob koncu intervjuja povedala Olya.
Olya Helga — The Emotion Behind the Image
Photographer and visual artist Olya Helga turns photography into a language of emotion, depth, and transformation. Known for her method Photo Art Therapy, Olya’s work transcends beauty and enters the realm of emotional truth where every image becomes a mirror of authenticity and feminine power.
You started out as a photographer, and today you create entire visual worlds for both commercial and personal projects. How have your Ukrainian roots, travels, and move to Los Angeles shaped your artistic vision?
I was born in Kyiv, and growing up in Ukraine shaped my artistic eye through sincerity, emotional depth, and a strong cultural foundation. Ukrainians feel deeply that emotional sensitivity became the base of my visual language. Travel expanded this foundation. Experiencing different cultures, aesthetics, and ways of living developed my global perspective on beauty and expression. Each place added new emotional textures and visual ideas. Moving to Los Angeles opened a new chapter. The cinematic light, creative freedom, and scale of opportunity inspired me to build visual worlds and emotional narratives instead of simply documenting moments.
Ukraine gave me depth and honesty. Travel gave me curiosity and perspective. Los Angeles gave me scale and a vision focused on the future.
l
Your work centres on deep femininity. Tell us about your method, Photo Art Therapy. What makes it meaningful for women today?
Photo Art Therapy is a method where photography becomes a tool for self-connection and emotional presence. It’s not about posing or striving for perfection it’s about softness, stillness, and truth. I create a safe space where a woman can slow down, breathe, and meet herself without expectation or pressure. When she feels safe, her natural expression emerges and her energy opens. Many women tell me they have never seen themselves this way before. They describe the experience as grounding, meditative a return to their true self. The images then become a reminder of who they are beyond comparison, filters, or performance. In a world defined by speed and perfection, my mission is to bring women back to their presence.
True femininity is not a look it is a state of honesty, depth, softness, and inner strength.
In your commercial work, you combine aesthetics and emotion. How do you know when a photograph is truly authentic?
Authenticity happens when everything aligns the person, the light, the energy, and the story. It feels effortless, not staged. Sometimes it appears in the first frame, sometimes in the very last, but there’s always a moment when the subject stops performing and simply exists in front of the camera. That’s when the frame comes alive. That’s when I know I have the image.
Visual culture is oversaturated today. How do you stay true to your voice instead of chasing trends?
I respect trends but I don’t build from them. My goal is not to compete with visual noise, but to create emotional meaning. Silence, observation, and intention keep me centred. I study art, cinema, psychology, and architecture disciplines that give my work depth beyond fast cycles. I always ask myself one question: Will this image still feel relevant and beautiful in a few years? If the answer is yes, I continue in that direction.
Trends come and go. Truth stays.
Your path includes work with international brands, founders, and media. How has this experience shaped your artistic and professional vision?
Working with global brands and creative leaders gave me a deep understanding of identity, emotion, and visual storytelling. I’ve led campaigns and editorial projects for CHAGEE, Veiled, Maria Lucia Hohan, L’AGENCE, Andreeva, Black Suede Studio, and Allies of Skin. My work has appeared in Vogue, Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, L’Officiel, Grazia, and other international publications reinforcing my belief that photography carries cultural and emotional influence. Seeing my imagery shape brand perception and elevate founders confirmed that visual language can create real connection and shift how people see themselves and the world. True impact requires emotional intelligence, precision, and the ability to translate personality and identity into an image. Strong imagery is not just seen it is felt and remembered.
Today visuals shape identity and emotion. How do you see the future of visual storytelling?
The future of photography lies in emotional intelligence, not perfection. People are tired of pressure and performance. We are moving toward honesty, depth, presence, and emotion. My work connects art, psychology, and feminine energy, and my goal is to contribute to this cultural shift.
Photography today is not only about what we see but about how we feel, and who we become through the process.
Talent: Olya Helga Instagram: @olyahelga.photography
Fotograf: Nikita Melvil
Stilistka: Iana Vyshniakova
Intervju in tekst: Oksana Chernishova
