How It All Began
Olesya's journey in photography began long before Zesty Orange Photography came to be. Picture a four-year-old, tiptoeing down the creaky basement stairs to her father's darkroom. The red glow of the light, the smell of chemicals, and the magic of images slowly coming to life sparked a sense of wonder that never left her.
That wonder grew stronger as she studied art in Russia, adapted to a new life in the United States, and eventually found her way to New York City to study at the Pratt Institute, School of Arts. Helping her father in his darkroom as a child led first to an advanced art education. She earned a degree in Fine Arts that, complemented by Graphic and Digital Design instruction at NYC's renowned Pratt Institute, gave her a rare multi-media perspective.
The first time she stepped into her father's darkroom, photos hung from a clothesline, clipped with clothespins, swaying gently as if they were alive. Trays filled with mysterious liquids sat on a table, each holding secrets waiting to be revealed. There were pictures of her mom, her 80s hairstyle perfectly coiffed, her laughter frozen in time — one of the few cherished shots she has of her mother to this day.
Olesya learned the vast difference between shooting a picture and envisioning what every image can be. Today, her passion is to create an unforgettable journey for her clients — one that feels personal, joyful, and beautifully reflective of who they are.