© 2025
Varvara Yampolets is a Ukrainian photographer who believes her mission is to bring light through her photographic works. Through her lens, she aims to preserve people’s warm moments, especially during russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. In her photography, Varvara pays special attention to portraits, as this genre allows her to capture genuine human emotions in intricate detail. She shared with Drive Music Media her journey into photography, the unique essence of portraiture, and her latest projects.
Interviewer: Why did you choose a photographic art?
Varya: Photography for me is a way of telling stories through images. I’ve always loved observing people and their emotions, and the camera became the perfect tool to preserve those moments. Moreover, photography allows me to express my creativity and share warmth with others.
Interviewer: Most of your photos are portraits. What makes this genre special to you?
Varya: A portrait is always about the person – their uniqueness and authenticity. Through portraits, I aim to capture the depth of character, emotions, and inner beauty. It’s a challenge for me as a photographer to find that moment when someone is most open and genuine.
Interviewer: Many of your photos have warm, yellow lighting and editing. Can you tell us about the "coziness" in your work? Why did you choose this style?
Varya: I always strive to create an atmosphere of comfort, intimacy, and warmth so that my photos remind people of childhood moments or family memories. Warm tones help convey this "coziness" and evoke positive associations in viewers.
Interviewer: How difficult is it to continue your career during russia's full-scale war against Ukraine? What challenges do you face, and what helps you keep going and continue creating beauty?
Varvara: There are many challenges: limited resources, fear for the future, and instability. But photography has become a kind of therapy for me and a way to support others. I find purpose in my work because, even in dark times, it’s important to preserve the bright moments of life.
Interviewer: Where do you find inspiration for your shoots? How do your ideas come to life, and what is your preparation process like?
Varvara: I find inspiration in nature, people around me, art, and even everyday little things. Ideas often arise spontaneously, but they always involve careful preparation: discussing the concept, choosing a location, preparing props, and understanding the client’s wishes.
Interviewer: Children’s photoshoots – how hard is it to find a connection with a child during a shoot? What techniques do you use?
Varvara: Children are sincere and spontaneous, but working with them requires patience. I try to create a playful atmosphere and find common ground by using simple things like favorite toys, jokes, or even telling stories. The most important thing is to give them a sense of safety and freedom.
Interviewer: Tell us about a shoot that left a lasting impression on you.
Varvara: One time, I photographed a family, and it was such a heartfelt experience. We shot in a studio, and the child was running around, laughing, and hugging their parents. That energy, sincerity, and warmth left an unforgettable mark on my heart.
Interviewer: What projects are you currently working on?
Varvara: I’m currently working on photographing merchandise for a local brand. At the moment, I cannot disclose the name, as it pertains to one of the Ukrainian brigades.
Interviewer: Tell us about a shoot you would never do and one you dream of doing.
Varvara: I would never photograph something that goes against my ethical values. But I dream of doing a shoot in an underwater studio, where water and the human form blend together in harmony.
Interviewer: What one word best describes your work as a photographer? Why?
Varvara: "Light". It’s not just about the technical aspect but also what photography brings to people: joy, memories, warmth. Light inspires me and gives me the strength to keep going.
Pictures were provided by Varvara Yampolets
Watson Rose is a Canadian actress, screenwriter, and writer who portrayed one of the strongest characters in the series The Way Home – Susanna Augustin – a woman who longed for more freedom and to be who she wanted to be, but was born in the wrong time. The actress believes that despite some changes, the world still continues to dictate and punish people for their self-expression. In addition to her dramatic role as Susanna, Watson is closely connected to the world of comedy – she performed in the improvised musical comedy theater The 11 O’clock Number, which played a significant role in her development not only as an actress but also as a person. Improvisation helped her become a more confident actress and individual. In the future, Watson envisions herself not only as an actress but also as a screenwriter – she has completed work on the script for her own feature film and has already begun collaborating with a producer on its production. Watson candidly shared with Drive Music Media about her acting journey, the roles she would never portray on screen, the role of improvisation in acting, her part in The Way Home, and her work on her own film script.
Khrystyna Kostyshyn is a Ukrainian writer in the fantasy genre with elements of psychological fiction and the author of the novel Chapter ∞. Despite a long break after writing this book, she chose not to make any revisions to her work. The author believes that the psychological aspect of the novel allows readers to delve deep into the inner world of the characters. Currently, she is working on a sequel to her book, which will be released in a different genre – romantasy. She shared with Drive Music Media her journey as a writer, her own fantasy world and her career in a Swiss bank.
Devin Cecchetto is a Canadian actress and singer who, with her lightness and dreaminess, has been able to showcase the versatility of young Evelyn Goodwin in the Hallmark Channel show The Way Home. Her connection with the character, which she feels an affinity with, began in the summer of 2024 during the casting for the third season. Although Devin’s character does not travel through time, she shares a strong bond with the pond, which serves as a portal for all the other main characters. Currently, the actress is involved in the fourth season of The Way Home, which was announced in March of this year. In addition to the role of Evelyn, Devin has appeared in films such as Who Killed Our Father?, Marry, F**k, Kill, and Don’t Sell My Baby. Devin shared with Drive Music Media her journey into the world of acting, the easiest and most challenging aspects of filming The Way Home series, the roles she would never agree to take on, and her dream of merging the singing part of her life with cinema.
Irina Chaika is a Ukrainian artist and decorative-applied arts teacher who co-founded the Miracle Bird studio abroad with Ukrainian artist Veronika Serhiienko during forced migration due to russia’s war against Ukraine. The main goal of the studio was to support people who had lost their homes, focusing primarily on applied arts and art therapy. Due to relocating to another city, Irina had to hand over her managerial responsibilities at the studio. Currently, she is actively working on new paintings and commissioned artworks. In February of this year, she participated in the annual Grand Parade carnival in Limassol, where she created fantasy-themed costumes inspired by the works of Ukrainian artist Maria Prymachenko. Irina shared with Drive Music Media the story of her artistic journey, the founding of her art studio in Cyprus, and her experience at the annual carnival.
Iryna Yashchuk, a Ukrainian writer and poet, is the author of the bilingual poetry collection The House of Puzzles, written in Ukrainian and Italian. She believes that the emotional impact of a poem can vary depending on the language in which it is read. One of the key themes she aims to explore in literature is illness. Her upcoming book will be based on her personal experience of battling and living with a disease. Beyond her literary work, Iryna has been a copywriter since 2014, creating content for various companies. Iryna shared insights with Drive Music Media on how she balances copywriting with her writing career, her poetry collection The House of Puzzles, and her new book project.