Meet Katya Kulikova | Newborn photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katya Kulikova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved photography. When I was 12, my mom gave me her old film camera. I bought a roll of film and started shooting — nature, my friends, my dogs, everything I saw around me. I took that camera everywhere and found so much joy in the process. In the evenings, I’d lock myself in a dark room to develop and print my photos — it felt like pure magic.

Eventually, film gave way to digital cameras, and then to DSLRs. The equipment changed, but my love for photography never faded. Life moved on — I grew up, earned a degree, got married, had a son, and worked an office job. Photography remained a passion on the side.

Everything changed after my daughter was born. While I was on maternity leave — which in Russia lasts up to three years — my husband gave me a semi-professional DSLR for my birthday. That gift lit a spark. I enrolled in my first portrait photography course, completed it, started learning Photoshop, and decided to try taking on clients. I began with friends and family, created a social media profile, and started promoting myself as a photographer.

That’s when I decided to try turning my beloved hobby into a profession. I didn’t know if it would work out — but I dreamed that it would. After all, isn’t it the ultimate dream to earn a living doing something that brings you so much joy?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I first started taking paid photography sessions, I couldn’t decide which direction to take. I photographed everything — families, weddings, children’s parties — I was trying it all. But then, one day, I saw an ad for a newborn photography workshop happening in my city. At the time, I was deeply inspired by the work of Anne Geddes. It was 2014, and newborn photography was just starting to gain popularity in Russia. I decided to attend the workshop — and it changed everything.

I’ve always loved children. In fact, I studied early childhood education in college and dreamed of becoming a kindergarten teacher since the fifth grade. So when I attended that workshop, I felt like my world shifted. I realized I had found exactly what I’d been searching for — I wanted to work with newborns.

Many people are afraid to work with tiny babies. They’re nervous to even hold them. But I wasn’t. I already had experience with my own children, and I felt confident and natural with a newborn in my arms. I started doing newborn sessions — and at first, they didn’t go well. It’s not easy. It takes a lot of skill and patience. You’re more of a nanny than a photographer — you have to soothe the baby, help them fall asleep, pose them carefully, choose the right angles and colors. It requires real knowledge and practice.

So I kept learning. I took workshops with photographers whose work I admired. Little by little, I got better. Clients started coming — and they told their friends. Eventually, I had a steady flow of clients and built a business I was proud of.

In 2022, I was honored to be named one of the Top 10 Newborn Photographers in Russia with one of my photos — a moment that filled me with pride.

Newborn photography is a very special category. A wedding or family photographer simply can’t capture a newborn the way a trained newborn photographer can. It takes years of experience to create those beautifully posed, peaceful, and timeless images of sleeping babies — especially in the classic newborn style. It’s an art form that demands dedication, and I truly love it with all my heart.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve been living here for less than a year, so I’m still discovering the area and probably don’t know all the hidden gems yet. But if I were to show a friend around, the first place I’d take them is the ocean — it’s an absolute must-see. After that, I’d take them to the mountains — a place that truly speaks to my heart.

Here in Raleigh, there are wonderful museums, exhibitions, and the beautiful botanical gardens at Duke University. There are also so many charming little parks — incredibly scenic, and I haven’t even explored them all yet. The nature here is stunning. For me, it’s a joy just to take a walk by a lake or in a park, admire the trees, and observe the local wildlife. It’s peaceful and inspiring — something I deeply appreciate.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are two people in my life without whom I wouldn’t be where I am today.

The first is my mom. She was the one who first placed a camera in my hands — her beloved film camera from her youth. I was just a teenager, but that simple gesture sparked a lifelong passion for photography. It was her quiet encouragement that set me on this path.

The second is my husband. He gifted me my first semi-professional camera — the one I had dreamed of for so long — at exactly the right moment, when I had time to start learning and developing my professional skills. He has supported me every step of the way: believing in me, cheering me on, and providing for our family when photography wasn’t yet a source of income. His faith in me gave me the confidence to pursue my dream.

Website: https://ekulikova.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kulikova_foto?igsh=bXN4bXAzemlpN3hk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kulikovafoto