Meet Sveta Butko

We recently connected with Sveta Butko and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sveta, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?

I think my empathy really grew out of my work as a portrait photographer. To capture someone honestly, I have to feel their emotions and understand what’s happening beneath the surface, and over the years that has become one of my strengths.

It first started with my own son. He wasn’t speaking for a long time, and I used to take him to animal-assisted therapy. One day he suddenly began to talk there, and I photographed his interactions with the animals. I saw a special connection between them, and I wanted to capture and share that feeling with other families going through similar challenges.

That’s how I began photographing children with animals, and later my work naturally grew into portraiture of both children and adults. Through all of it, empathy has been the key both in my personal experience and in my photography.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Professionally, I work both as a portrait photographer and as a small business owner, and a significant part of my work also involves charitable art projects. Some of these projects I initiate myself, and others I join when I feel they can make a meaningful difference. I love this side of my work because these projects don’t just help people or highlight something important—they also help me grow and understand myself better.

One thing that feels special about my approach is that I don’t see a photoshoot as “just a session.” I create an experience, almost like a personal event for the person I photograph. It’s something they can remember, something that feels caring, thoughtful, and empowering. My goal is for people to walk away not only with beautiful portraits but also with a sense of confidence and the feeling of being truly seen and supported.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three most impactful areas in my journey were my artistic education, my attention to detail, and my understanding of light. I have a Ph.D. in architecture and spent many years studying art and art history, and that foundation shaped the way I see and create. It influences my compositions, my sense of color, and the artistic depth I try to bring into every portrait.

Another essential part of my work is my attention to detail and a bit of healthy perfectionism. These qualities help me create images that invite the viewer to slow down, look deeper, and discover small nuances that make the portrait feel alive.

And of course, my relationship with light. Photography is built on light, and learning how to read it, sculpt it, and use it intentionally has been one of the most valuable skills I’ve developed – and I am still learning every day.

For anyone just starting out, my biggest advice is: don’t limit yourself to studying only photography. Explore art history, painting, drawing, and color theory. All of these fields enrich your eye and strengthen your work. And practice constantly – photograph a lot, look at a lot, and stay curious. Like in any craft, the more you create, the more interesting and powerful your work becomes.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always open to meaningful partnerships and creative collaborations. At this stage of my journey, I’m especially interested in connecting with people who are passionate about marketing and brand development. My strength has always been the artistic side of my work, while marketing is the area where I would love to grow with the help of someone who truly enjoys and understands it.

I believe that teaming up with someone whose skills complement mine could open up exciting opportunities and help bring my projects to a wider audience. Anyone who feels inspired by my work and wants to explore a collaboration is welcome to reach out, I’m always happy to start a conversation.

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