Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vera Pashkevich. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Vera, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
Self-care, for me, has been a journey of unlearning and relearning. As someone who is hard-wired to care for others, turning that lens onto myself was a massive struggle. Yet, over time, I recognized its indispensability to my creativity work.
Early in my career, my instinct to please others would often drive me to over-commit. I’d find myself booking double-header-10-hour events in different states and stretching my energies so thin they were thread-bare. But the reality was that in trying to do too much, I was unable to deliver the quality of work I aspired to, and it was taking a toll on my mental health. Recognizing this, I knew something had to change.
One significant shift was implementing strict boundaries around my professional commitments. I stopped double-booking long events, a change that afforded me the space to fully immerse myself in each project and do justice to my creative vision. It also meant I had more energy reserves, leading to improved overall well-being. Another key aspect of my self-care routine is time-blocking. For instance, I’ve allocated dedicated slots to spend with my young dog, even when I have the temptation to keep working.
The journey of self-care hasn’t always been easy, but it’s made me realize how intrinsically linked it is to my effectiveness as a creative professional. It’s helped me strike a healthier work-life balance, making me not only more productive but also more fulfilled as an individual.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
To me, photography has always been a conduit to connection. At times in my life, I’ve focused so much on creating a perfect composition that I missed a real, messy, charming moment happening behind me. I no longer want to miss those moments, even at the expense of not hitting “perfection”. My camera, my business Vera Pash Photo — they’re just tools that enable me to explore the richness of human experience in all its beautiful, complex diversity.
My work ranges from professional events and weddings to more personal and intimate conceptual portraiture. But at the heart of all these is an emphasis on humanity — connecting with the individual, their story, their emotions. It’s in the subtle yet profound moments that I find most thrilling: the couple I photographed at their wedding now bringing a new life into the world; the yearly progress of a garden that I document each fall; the shared laughter and tears, the highs and lows of people’s lives. Being invited to know their full story, even if I can only reflect a moment of it.
Recently, I’ve made a conscious effort to pull back from the pursuit of grand projects, instead allowing myself to cherish these smaller, quieter moments. There’s a certain beauty and fulfillment in this shift, in witnessing the “ordinary” unfold into something extraordinary.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Resilience: Building a career, especially in a creative field, is full of challenges and setbacks. There were times when my financial situation was precarious, times when client bookings were scarce, and times when I doubted my own abilities. But resilience has been key. I’ve learned to view challenges as opportunities for growth, and to remind myself that the path to success is rarely a straight line. For those starting their journey, embrace the bumps along the way. They will strengthen you. And do what you need to do while nurturing the dream.
Interpersonal Skills: Photography, especially portraiture, is deeply rooted in human interaction. My ability to connect with people, to make them feel comfortable in front of my lens, has been fundamental to creating authentic and emotive images. I was a shy person, and photography pushed me into more social environments. The ability to communicate effectively and empathetically with people is a skill that can be nurtured with practice.
Technical Skills: Of course, having a strong grasp of the technical aspects of photography – understanding light, composition, camera settings, post-processing – is essential. Yet, I believe it’s also crucial to remember that rules can be bent or even broken to achieve your artistic vision. My mentor, a wildlife photographer, taught me a great deal. Seek out opportunities to learn, whether that’s through formal education, mentorship, or self-guided learning. Always stay curious and keep experimenting.
My advice to those beginning their journey is to balance the development of these three areas. Remember, it’s okay to not know everything from the start. Learning is a continuous process, and your journey is uniquely yours. Enjoy every moment of it, the ups and the downs. They are what will shape you as a creative individual.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
One of the books that has been instrumental in my personal and professional development is “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. I was first introduced to it during a difficult season of my life, at a time when I felt detached from everything. I found solace in Frankl’s exploration of life, purpose, and resilience.
One quote that left me with goosebumps was: “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.”
This profound insight served as a much-needed beacon during my stormy weather, inspiring me to dig deep and discover my own ‘why.’ For me, that ‘why’ was rooted in human connection and intentionality. My drive to foster relationships, to showcase humanity at its most joyous, to actively participate in the unfolding of life – all of these elements contributed to my renewed sense of purpose.
It’s this philosophy that I now incorporate into every aspect of my work and life. No matter the adversities we face, as long as we’re anchored by our ‘why’, we can find the strength to navigate any ‘how’.
In the years since, I have passed along my copy of “Man’s Search for Meaning” to others facing adversity. In sharing Frankl’s wisdom, I hope to help them find their own ‘why’, just as I found mine on that lonely drive through the Olympic National Rainforest.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.verapashphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verapashphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeraPashPhoto
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verapashphoto/
