Ukrainian photographer Iryna Bilous: The uniqueness of portraits lies in the transformation, when a person 'opens up' during the shoot and becomes entirely different

Iryna Bilous is a Ukrainian photographer who uses symbolism in her work and believes that it is what reveals the depth of each of her photographs. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the photographer has repeatedly participated in exhibitions where she demonstrated the power of symbolism. At one such exhibition, she presented her project "Struggle," which shows that people without military education went to the front, yet still defend their country and confidently rise above the enemy. Iryna shared with Drive Music Media the story of how her career began, the "Struggle" photo project, and her vision of love.

Interviewer: How did your photography journey begin?

Iryna: Since childhood, I dreamed of drawing. I was professionally involved in choreography. I couldn’t balance both a professional dance school and art school, so I chose choreography. When I started experiencing burnout at work, I remembered that I loved drawing. I decided to take up photography because, since my youth, I’ve always had a video camera or a photo camera with me.

Interviewer: Two of your works were featured in the "All You Need Is Love" exhibition. Tell us about the idea behind this exhibition and the works that were included.

Iryna: This was the first photo exhibition in Kyiv that was freely accessible to the general public. It was organized by the Ukrainian photographers’ community "Photographer’s Development." The curator of the exhibition, Denys Sukhinyn, knew me personally and invited me to participate. Since the theme of love resonates with everyone, he thought it would capture the audience's interest. I submitted my works, and he approved them. That’s how I showcased my works to the public for the first time. The composition was born from the idea of capturing the movement of particles in space, using a ballet body to depict this. That’s why blue and black backgrounds were used. The concept was to show particles meeting, merging, and then flying apart into the cosmos. There’s an entire series of photos. This project was my graduation work when I was finishing the Kyiv School of Photography. Two works were selected for the exhibition: one capturing the moment of connection and the other showing the moment of dispersion.

Interviewer: After the full-scale war began, you also got involved in an exhibition. Tell us about a few of your works that were included.

Iryna: At that time, in the very beginning, the trend among photographers was to depict Ukraine as a bloodied woman with a machine gun or simply a girl covered in blood and wounds. I didn’t want to portray the struggle against the aggressor in that way. I wanted to depict the male struggle through the means of jumps and flight. The trend back then was to wear and photograph in camouflage. But it was ordinary men who went to the front – men who, before the full-scale invasion, wore jeans and shirts. That’s how the "Struggle" photo project was born. The main character is a man soaring like a kite over the enemy, with the Ukrainian flag (represented by ribbons) in his hands, dressed in jeans and a shirt.

Interviewer: In 2023, an American fashion magazine selected your photo. When and how did this happen?

Iryna: I received a notification that my photograph was being published by Lybell Magazine, where I was credited as the photographer. I was very surprised because I hadn’t submitted my work anywhere. It turned out that the model I had photographed sent our collaborative work to the magazine, and they published it.

Interviewer: Tell us about your series of works "Warmth Through Cold".

Iryna: Over time, I realized that the horrific destruction caused by Russian terrorism affects me less.

It’s as if you "grow" thicker skin. You begin to cope with the horrors of war more easily because you live with it every day, and your psychological resources aren’t limitless. You start preserving your internal balance because it gets severely destabilized during missile strikes. You become "colder" on the outside. You react less to the bad, laugh less, cry less. It’s as if you’re covered by an icy wall. But inside, you remain the same.

All Ukrainians help each other, showing care, compassion, mercy, and mutual aid. I didn’t know how to visualize all these thoughts. Then I remembered the sculptures of people I had seen in Versailles and the Louvre during a tour in France. I recalled the "cold" liveliness of those statues. I aimed for a marble-like image, and I succeeded. Beneath the "cold" blue fabric is a living, warm girl holding a blossoming flower.

Interviewer: In your work, you tend to focus more on portraits. What is special about them for you?

Iryna: It’s in the transformation. I love how a person "opens up" during the shoot. I enjoy that, at times, I can change how the model sees themselves. I can show them that they can be completely different emotionally. Even in the same outfit and in the same setting, it’s possible to experience entirely different states.

Interviewer: What projects are you currently working on?

Iryna: Right now, I’ve photographed male portraits in water. I wanted to capture a sense of depth and a philosophical state of non-existence. This was my first experience shooting in water. Not everything turned out as I had hoped, so I will reshoot this idea in the spring. I didn’t achieve the desired images – the way I feel and want to see these photos.

Interviewer: What inspires you to create new shoots?

Iryna: My own reflections on the present, as well as a wealth of art portraits.

Interviewer: How difficult is it to continue your career during the war? What challenges do you set for yourself?

Iryna: My direction is very specific. Not everyone wants "non-Instagrammable" or "non-trendy" photos. So sometimes I collaborate on a TFP (time for print) basis. However, that doesn’t mean that with just any model we can create something profound. That’s why I look for like-minded individuals for TFP shoots.

Interviewer: What word do you associate with your own creativity?

Iryna: With the word "desire". When you capture what you want.

Pictures were provided by Iryna Bilous