This series emerged from an internal impulse to capture the protagonist’s inner control within the frame. Each shot appears as a seized moment of concentrated energy; the frequent use of tight crops serves as a direct metaphor for focus and capturing the fleeting instant. The wide shots further reinforce this concept, depicting the protagonist as if she is on the precipice of action—poised on the edge of movement and deep internal stillness. The model’s face is often obscured, shifting the emphasis toward body language, tension, and non-verbal expression. Every pose is a captured fragment of her search for her own place in space, a quest palpable through the strain and occasional awkwardness of her form. There is a sense of energy here that is ready to burst forth at any moment, yet remains forever locked within the stasis of the photographic medium.
CreditsPhotographs taken during the artistic residency at the HSE Art & Design School x Nanlite Light Photography Laboratory for the 2026 Pingyao International Photography Festival (PIP).Sponsored by @nanlite_global
Shot at @hsedesign
Setup and support by @silasvetaLecturer and Nanlite representative: @xulong.zhang
Head coordinator: @alisaa_a
Head of collaboration: Irina Chmyreva
Special thanks: Liu XiaoxiaShots by @starchesckii3 JulyMakeup & hair @chezamakeup
Model @lubabssLook 1 @raskotikova
Look 2 @raskotikovaArt direction & Production @alisaa_a @be_step6 JulyMakeup & hair @chezamakeup
Model 1 @amonika.barkhan
Model 2 @sandraewsLook 1 @ilyashugaev
Look 2 @aleksandra.ligay
Look 3 @raskotikova
Look 4 @be_stepArt direction & Production @alisaa_a @be_step7 JulyMakeup, hair @chezamakeup
Md @alexndrausDesign Look 1 @be_step
Design Look 2 @ilyashugaev
Look 3 @aleksandra.ligay & @be_step
Look 4 @be_stepArt direction & Production @alisaa_a @be_step8 JulyMakeup, hair @emmashrayber
Model 1 @amonika.barkhan
Model 2 @kokoreva_mar1aDesign Look 1 @be_step
Design Look 2 @be_step
Look 3 @aleksandra.ligay
Look 4 @ilyashugaevArt direction & Production @alisaa_a @be_step9 JulyMakeup, hair @emmashrayber
Model 1 @lubabss
Model 2 @kokoreva_mar1aDesign Look 1 @be_step
Design Look 2 @be_step
Look 3 @aleksandra.ligay
Look 4 @be_stepArt direction & Production @alisaa_a @be_step13 JulyTsarytsino Museum-reserve
Ekaterininsky Hall of the Grand PalaceMakeup, hair @emmashrayber
Model 1 @amonika.barkhan
Model 2 @skwptpcn
Model 3 @sofileskLook 1 @ilovesilencee
Look 2 @ilovesilencee
Look 3 @ilovesilenceeLooks 4,5,6 @ilovesilenceeLook 7 be_step
Look 8 @ilovesilenceeArt direction & Production @alisaa_a @be_step
