About me

I was born and raised in Bulgaria, one of the most beautiful and fascinating places on the planet. I moved to Chicago in my youth years, working and studying, and also raising children. I took both my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Northwestern University, specializing in Communications. That's where I had the chance to continue my passion for visual arts and where I took all the possible photography classes with the inspiring Pamela Bannos, mostly known for her research work and biography of Vivian Maier.

My photography skills have evolved over the years, focusing mainly on people and faces. Showing character and genuine personality is one of my main intentions when I photograph people. I want to tell their story and portray them in a way to make their images speak.

I also work on other creative projects, some of which I share in professional communities, art shows, and exhibitions, along with photos of travel and places.

About my photography

I love the little moments. Not necessarily the beautiful ones in the traditional meaning, but the ones that spread beauty with their existence. These moments inspire me to freeze them in a frame and prolong them forever.

I love the story behind each photograph. No matter how many photos I take, I remember the time and setting for each of those moments and why that made me take it.

I love human interaction. The glance, the smile, the tear. Posed or spontaneous, I look for the things that make us human. Emotions, places, and times that are rarely ever the same. That’s what you’ll see in my photographs.

Media & publications

Photography Masterclass Magazine, Editor’s Choice feature - June 2015

Photography Masterclass Magazine, article - October 2016

500px, interview - April 2020

500px, interview - April 2021

NY Art Dealer St, interview - February 2021

Top Posters Magazine, cover shot & feature story - March 2021

Photography Masterclass Magazine, October 2016

Photography Masterclass Magazine, June 2015

Awards & recognitions

Award winner Canon Canada
Editors' Choice for 5 images on 500px
Editors' Choice of Imaginarium Magazine
Editors' Choice of Photography Masterclass Magazine

Featured and published in Photography Masterclass Magazine, Time Out Chicago, and 500px.

Exhibitions & art shows

RAW Artists, independent artists show - Chicago, February 2019

RAW Artists, independent artists show - New York, September 2019

Bulgarian Artists Abroad, group exhibition - Bagrena Gallery, Mt. Prospect, IL, December 2019

Bulgarian Artists Abroad, group exhibition - Bagrena Gallery, Mt. Prospect, IL, September 2019

The unusual 2020, group exhibition - Magura, Arlington Heights, IL, December 2020

Timelessness, solo exhibition - Bagrena Gallery, Mt. Prospect, IL, February 2021

Ladies’ Choice, women's group exhibition - Des Plaines, IL, March 2021

Cook County Building Art, group art exhibit - Chicago, May 2021

Bulgarian Artists Abroad, group art exhibit - Bagrena Gallery, Mt. Prospect, IL, January 2023

Here and there: между два бряга, group art exhibit - the gallery at Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Sofia, Bulgaria, August 2023

Serendipity, solo exhibition - the gallery at a+c architects, Skokie, IL, June 2024

Timelessness, Solo exhibition at Bagrena Gallery, February - April, 2021