Vitalina Rybakova is a product and still life photographer based just outside Naples, Italy. During her early years in the field, she specialized in stock and portrait photography. More recently, her study of product photography has enabled Vitalina to work with a broader range of clients, building an impressive portfolio we are pleased to share as part of this featured interview.
How long have you been a photographer (hobbyist or professional)?
For about 12 years.
Is it your profession? How long have you been a working photographer?
It’s my profession, but I continue to study.
I have been working as a photographer for about 12 years. I started my work with stock photography and portrait photography. And after that I opened a new direction – product photography. This requires other approaches and it seems to me that there is always something to improve.
What types of photography services do you offer?
Product and Still life photography, Food photography.
What helps set you apart from your competition?
I try to be different. Studying at Photigy is a part of this assignment.
What are your goals (or plans) as a photographer?
Having happy and repeat customers. It’s a pleasure to see when your customers are satisfied with your work. It’s a sign of your work quality.
What would you like to do after reaching a level that would enable you to do commercial quality work?
I think it would be video.
What made you decide to pursue product photography?
I always liked how advertising photography made products perfect. It does not matter how difficult a product is to work with (whether it has a reflective surface or it is transparent, white or black, etc.). In a finished advertising photograph, the product always looks perfect. I wanted to learn to take pictures the same way.
How did you first learn about Photigy?
The first time I saw one of the Photigy tutorials was on YouTube. It was a Friday photo talk where Alex Koloskov showed how to photograph a bottle against a burning fire. I must say that Alex is a great teacher. I repeated this tutorial and became interested in photography even more. Since then, Photigy has become one of my favorite channels on YouTube. And after a while, I decided to take The Complete Guide To Product Photography course.
When did you take your first course?
It was in 2018.
How many product photography courses have you taken through Photigy?
Six.
Do you have a favorite course?
My current favorite course is The Complete Guide To Product Photography course. I love it because Alex reveals all aspects of commercial photography, it has a lot of practice and there is feedback from the instructor.
Even if you are at a beginner level, completing this course and having independently done everything that Alex talks about, you will already be a photographer with experience.
When you first got started, what did you find to be the most challenging aspect of photographing products?
Understanding lighting and styling.
What is your favorite product image you created since taking courses through Photigy?
Bottle of yogurt with berries and milk splash, for assignment #7.
What specialty in product photography interests you the most?
Beverage photography and Liquid & Splash Hi-Speed Photography.
I like to see how light reflects in transparent bottles and glasses, and I like frozen motion because it shows us things that we can’t see in everyday life.
How has your learning experience with Photigy affected your success as a photographer or pursuit of photography?
It enhanced my overall photography skills; after studying, I can create images that I couldn’t previously and of course it helps me in my work.
What advice do you have for people interested in pursuing product photography?
If you are interested, you should try it. You will never know what result you could achieve if you do not start doing it.
What other areas of photography interest you?
I like taking pictures of children. It relaxes me and allows me to get in touch with the idea of childhood and carelessness.
Check out more of her creative photos at her website:
and follow her on social media:
Instagram: @vitalina_rybakova
Facebook : @vitalinarybakovaphotography