Ukrainian photographer Sofiia Shakh: To shoot at a particular location, I need to feel it

Sofiia Shakh is a young Ukrainian photographer who creates photo stories in her unique style and chooses only locations she feels connected to for her shoots. She has executed ideas that seemed impossible: shoots in airplane graveyards, forests, trains, and many other unconventional places. Currently, she continues her photography studies at university and aims to work at a major creative company. Sofiia shared her thoughts on choosing locations, creating props, developing her personal style, and her most memorable shoots with Drive Music Media.

Interviewer: Why photography? How and when did you start taking photos?

Sofiia: In my childhood, I loved to draw. Later, art school killed that desire, but not the desire to create. I started photographing my friends. Back then, it was trendy to recreate photos from Pinterest. We did this every time we met, and that's how it all started.

Interviewer: What rules do you follow when creating new photographs? What stories do you tell and what inspires you to create them?

Sofiia: Usually, I find one of three things: a location, a model, or an idea. When I have one of these, the rest comes naturally. I often rely on intuition and associations, so coming up with an idea is not difficult for me. Inspiration can come from anything: an abandoned building, trash on the roadside, a street poster, nature, flowers, new cities, or countries. Sometimes, I'll see something interesting in a Vietnamese shop, and that sparks curiosity for a photoshoot.

Interviewer: What is the hardest part of preparing for a creative photoshoot? Where do you find props for your shoots, and if you create them yourself, what is the process like?

Sofiia: Right now, the hardest part for me is finding props. Before I moved, I could find everything at home, with neighbors, friends, or by going to a second-hand store and finding very cheap and interesting items. Sometimes, acquaintances would reach out and ask if I needed certain things for a shoot. Now, this is almost impossible to do. So, to create, I first have to set a budget and then look for items within that budget.

Sometimes, I did make costumes myself, sewing things, cutting, or wrapping fabrics correctly, but I have no real skills, so it's pure improvisation.

Interviewer: How do you help models with posing if they have no prior experience with photoshoots? Have there been instances where you couldn't capture what you wanted? If not a secret, please tell us about those cases.

Sofiia: I personally demonstrate poses to the model because through my enthusiasm, I can suggest what would look better, more interesting, or easier for the model. I don't think I've had any negative shooting experiences. I usually communicate well with the model; we always have a good and pleasant conversation. I try to create a relaxed atmosphere during the shoot, and since I've done about 200 shoots, I have a lot of experience. The main thing is for me to be confident in myself and what I do, to show that I will help and support in any situation, give compliments, highlight strengths, and never ridicule. This way, the person next to me begins to trust and can confidently show themselves without feeling embarrassed.

Interviewer: How difficult was it to continue your business while migrating? You are currently in the Czech Republic. What advice would you give to photographers who are just starting out in the country where you are residing... what needs to be done first?

Sofiia: I'm not sure I can give advice on this matter because I still find migration challenging. It's not like being at home where everything is familiar; here, you're constantly searching for things that remind you of home. But do what you know. Don't just mimic popular local creators. Czechs are enthusiastic about my work and the work of other Ukrainians precisely because it's something unique that isn't common here. So, this uniqueness attracts people who are open to something new. Look for local models. Offer your ideas. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself. People here love and respect art.

Interviewer: Are there any limits? Something you would never shoot even for a large sum of money. It doesn't necessarily have to be something unusual; maybe it's something too simple, but you wouldn't want to do it. Tell us about it. Why?

Sofiia: I don't know if this is a good example. I've been called as a photographer several times to make porn shoots. I wouldn't do it for all the money in the world. Other than that, I'm pretty calm and can turn any idea into reality. 

Interviewer: How do you search for locations? Certainly, everything can be found on the Internet, but what criteria do you use to choose a shooting location? Where have you shot before and which places have left the biggest impression on you? Why?

Sofiia: I spend a lot of time walking around. When you discover a location on your own, it becomes associated with something, so an image immediately comes to mind. Of course, sometimes I find locations from other creators in stories, profiles, or TikTok. But in 90% of cases, it's through physical exploration. The main criterion is that I must feel the place. It should give me goosebumps. That's when I know it's the right place. The most memorable shoot was at an airplane graveyard in Zaporizhia Oblast, because It was very difficult to get there, but we managed and on the way back, we hitchhiked because there was no way to call a taxi. We were about 16-17 years old, and our parents didn't know where we really were. But it was a wonderful time. We weren't afraid at all back then. And every idea we had in our heads seemed achievable because nothing seemed impossible.

Interviewer: Tell us about the photoshoot "Porcelain Doll at the Bottom of the Lake." It's one of your first published works. Where did you shoot it and how did the idea come about?

Sofiia: It was my first deliberate photoshoot as a photographer. The main character was my close childhood friend. We used to walk near this lake often. A day before the shoot, I shared an idea I really wanted to pursue, and she agreed to be the model and even dyed her hair red for it. We bought the dye, and I dyed hair for the first time. We woke up at 5 a.m. and went to the water. Initially, we took photos around the lake, then I suggested going into the water. We had never swum there due to local legends. My friend wore my grandmother's wedding dress, which added to the photograph's melancholic and slightly eerie atmosphere. It's open to various interpretations.

Interviewer: With which word would you like people to associate your photography?

Sofiia: Unconventional. Creative. "In your own way." "Uniquely." Typically, these are the words from clients and models that bring me the most joy. It means I'm doing everything right.

Interviewer: Your next steps: What ideas would you like to pursue? Why these specifically?

Sofiia: Currently, I'm studying photography at University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Czech Republic. In the coming years, I would like to improve the quality of my photos and learn more practical skills, as some of what I do is still intuitive. I plan to intern as a photographer at a large creative company. I enjoy doing individual shoots, but I feel it's time to try something more expansive.

Photos taken by Sofiia Shakh