When a photographer meets another photographer at the Ringling Museum (https://www.ringling.org/) on a beautiful sunny morning, the day is bound to be full of inspiration and productivity.
As a photographer, I find portrait photography to be the most profound form of creativity intertwined with psychological elements. There is something in it that goes beyond just capturing a picture. In this interview, renowned portrait photographer and my friend, Iryna Kyrychenko, delves into this intriguing subject, sharing her insights and experiences.
Iryna's journey into photography began in her childhood. Growing up, her grandpa was an artist and photographer who traveled the world, capturing images and painting. He taught her everything about film cameras, instilling a love for black-and-white photography. "I love the grain and the timeless feel of black and white photography," Iryna explained.
Originally from Ukraine, Iryna left her country at 18 and embarked on a journey of traveling, dancing, and working in fitness. After her son was born in Ukraine, she found the time to return to photography. Inspired by old photographs and famous photographers, she initially didn't realize she could pursue this art form herself. Eventually, she attended school in Kyiv, where she learned all the technical aspects of cameras. This was when she truly began exploring and discovering her photography passion.
When Iryna moved to the United States, she brought her camera everywhere. She loved waking up before sunrise to take pictures at the beach. In Miami, she would sneak into the horse race tracks to capture the horses and jockeys. During this time, she discovered her love for capturing emotions in images. "I believe every image should tell a story, especially portraits. Our bodies, scars, wrinkles, and eyes all have stories to tell, and my goal is to capture those stories," she shared.
Relocating from Miami to Sarasota profoundly transformed Iryna Kirichenko's work. The vibrant and supportive community and the area's diversity offer her endless opportunities to explore new stories and faces. "I take my camera everywhere, capturing the essence of this beautiful place," Iryna shared.
Photography is about discovering and facing emotions. She believes that people often hide their feelings, hoping they will resolve themselves. Through photography, especially self-portraits, Iryna faces these feelings, gives them shape and color, and then lets them go. "It's like a form of therapy. When I work with others, I lead them through this process, helping them discover and express their emotions," she explained.
During our conversation, Iryna reflected on how her methods have evolved. Initially, she focused more on making the photos look pretty. Now, she cares more about capturing the emotion. She doesn't use standard poses; instead, she talks to her subjects and discovers their feelings. This approach brings the images to life, making them feel authentic and touching.
Iryna believes photography endures in the age of artificial intelligence and technically perfect pictures because it captures the human essence. "There's no life or energy behind AI-generated pictures. It's about the stories and emotions behind the images, something technology can't replicate," she emphasized.
Iryna has been doing photography for ten years now. She used to have a studio, but it was ruined during a hurricane. Iryna tried working from home and outdoors but prefers a studio setting. Currently, she is looking into renting a space from another photographer. Once she has space, Iryna plans to start a project highlighting people not accepted by society. She wants to tell their stories and show their humanity.
Playback Theater (https://www.facebook.com/PlaybackTheatreSarasota) is also a big part of Iryna's life. She acts and takes pictures of her troupe. They use playback theater to help people see their situations and unite them. The troupe is looking to perform more locally and possibly internationally.
Iryna Kyrychenko's dedication to capturing and expressing emotions through photography is truly inspiring. Her journey from Ukraine to the United States and now to Sarasota reflects her passion for storytelling and her commitment to highlighting the human experience. Through her work, Iryna continues to inspire and touch the lives of many.
To follow Iryna Kyrychenko's work and learn more about her photography, visit her website or follow her on social media. Stay tuned to Bohemian Sarasota for more inspiring interviews and stories from creative professionals in our community.
Photos: Iryna Kyrychenko.
Thank you Iru for introducing Iryna. The work is magic and for sure emotions are felt, seen and heard… This is an inspiration for a great gift for someone or to treat ourselves 🤍♥️