Today we’d like to introduce you to Daria Makohonova
Hi Daria, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello, my name is Daria, and I am Ukrainian. My passion for photography began a decade ago when I lived near the city of Dnipro in Ukraine. When my parents bought a new camera, I started capturing everything in sight—flowers, friends, family, and self-portraits. At that time, I had no idea that photography would become the essence of my life.
As I entered university, I gradually began accepting photography orders from classmates and others, trying to earn a little from my hobby. With each passing year, I delved deeper into the world of photography, taking increasingly impressive photos, watching numerous instructional videos, and striving for growth.
In 2022, when full-scale war erupted in Ukraine against Russia, I had to evacuate my younger sister to a safe place. We moved to Poland, to a small town called Zduńska Wola. We could only bring one backpack each, and, of course, my backpack contained my camera and laptop. At that time, I thought I had bid farewell to photography forever, as I needed to work to ensure a comfortable life for us.
While my fiance Ivan, worked for the benefit of the army as a volunteer and risked his life, I did everything I could to be a reliable support. Over time, I met wonderful people who requested photoshoots, and thus, photography reentered my life.
Yet, stability is a rare commodity in today’s world. When my fiancé, now my husband, arrived to Poland, we made the significant decision to change our lives once more. We moved to the United States, to a small town called Anderson in South Carolina, and for the past nine months, we have been working hard to settle here and make it our home.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a challenging journey. I often feel the support of my husband and my family . I frequently feel that my qualifications are lacking, that my skills are insufficient, and that I must constantly develop and improve my work. Like every creative person, I often doubt myself, fall into creative depression and look for ways out of it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a family photographer, specializing in family, children’s, and women’s portrait photography. For a year and a half, I worked as the lead photographer for a children’s modeling school “Fashion corporation” in Dnipro city, Ukraine. There I conducted various business shoots, advertising campaigns, and children’s portraits for ages 4 to 18. My photo works were published in various magazines in Ukraine, as well as in a fashion magazine in Italy.
I’m currently focusing on a new service that I’m truly passionate about: Home Studio Photoshoots. What’s the idea behind it? This service is designed to be as convenient as possible for families with young children, large families, or simply busy moms. To explain what I offer my clients, let me start with a simple question: How does the typical photoshoot preparation look? Usually, it’s the mom who handles everything—she chooses the photographer, coordinates outfits, and makes sure everything is ready. On the day of the shoot, she dresses herself, gets the kids and husband ready, does her hair and makeup (or goes to a specialist), and finally, she arrives at the location. Only then can she trust the photographer to take over and capture her family.
But imagine if you didn’t have to go anywhere. No more worrying about packing extra outfits, shoes, snacks, or tissues. No need to ask your husband for extra time to travel, attend the photoshoot, and then drive back home. All of that becomes unnecessary if the photographer comes to you. And that’s exactly where my unique offering comes in. Whether it’s a cozy shoot by the fireplace, on the sofa, or anywhere else in your beautiful home, I can easily set up a professional photo studio right there in your living space—even with just a little extra room. Family portraits on canvas, minimalist shots with clean, solid backgrounds, and stunning lighting that feels like you’re in a high-end studio—this is all possible in the comfort of your own home!
I truly believe that by saving you time and creating amazing photos, I’ll make you twice as happy.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Since I am new to the United States, I am eager to meet new people and establish connections. It would be especially exciting to connect with someone from the creative field or a related area. I have many ideas in mind, such as participating in photo exhibitions, creating galleries, setting up a photography studio or an art space for both adults and children, or even offering simple photo retouching services.
If you are a creative individual and are interested in any of the above, feel free to reach out to me via email. I am always open to dialogue and mutually beneficial collaborations.
My experience spans a wide range of photography, from capturing family moments during love stories and weddings to shooting children with their families. For two years, I worked as the lead photographer for a modeling school, organizing and conducting photo shoots for large groups of children (around 50 participants) aged 4 to 18. Additionally, I worked as a content creator and photographer for a chain of shoe stores in Dnipro, Ukraine, for 1.5 years. Given my diverse experience across various photography domains, I am confident that I have something valuable to offer you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dariam.photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013573262833
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daria-makohonova-380b592a5/
- Other: Photo portfolio https://61c1f8c9c01a14-05756422.gallery.photo/gallery/portfolio/
