Karina Koba: A newborn photographer is not just a profession, it’s a state of being!
Our heroine today has been professionally engaged in photography since 2016. Her profession has become the focus of her life, despite the fact that her two higher education degrees, obtained after finishing a specialized high school with an advanced English program, are far from photography and creativity. What prompted her to radically change her life and achieve incredible success in her profession? Let’s ask our guest, Karina Koba, a professional newborn photographer from New York.
Karina, tell us your story of rising to the professional peak.
I must admit right away that I am not one of those masters who were passionate about photography from childhood and dreamed of becoming great photographers. I was led to the profession by chance, or rather, by motherhood. The birth of a child is one of the wonders of the world. It was this tiny divine creation that transformed my consciousness so much that I decided that such moments should last forever. And they can only be captured through the lens of a camera.
I studied and worked a lot before focusing solely on newborn photography. To find my unique style, I had to do hundreds of photo sessions. I tried different lighting and color solutions, and searched for creative ideas for new photo concepts. I managed to develop my own unique authorial style that distinguishes my work from many others in this field. Therefore, without false modesty, I can say that I have become a true master of newborn photography.
What does it mean to be a true master of newborn photography?
A true photography master must not only master professional skills and techniques but also be an artist, designer, and psychologist. The talents of a newborn photographer go far beyond the ordinary, as they also have to act as a nanny, pediatrician, and, in some sense, a magician.
There is a belief that photographing newborns is very challenging. Is this true?
It is more true than not. The difficulty lies in the fact that the photographer must know how to handle such tiny clients correctly. Unexpected situations during the shoot can arise at any moment, and you need to be prepared for them. I would say that the level of responsibility for a newborn photographer is incomparable to shooting even one-year-old babies or older children. There are many cases where successful and experienced photographers, trying their hand at this genre, do not continue working in it.
What is the most memorable photo session in your career?
Of course, one could highlight a particular shoot and elevate it to the level of top-class work. But that would be incorrect. For me, each photo session is special and each baby leaves a unique mark on my soul. The same can be said about the photographs. Each shot is a beautiful story of a specific newborn. Is it possible to pick out the best among them?! Each photograph is charming in its own way, pleasing to the eye, and genuinely inspiring. And it doesn't matter when it was shot—at the beginning of my professional career or now. As proof, one of my earliest works still adorns the lobby of the D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductology in St. Petersburg.
What distinguishes your work from many others in this field?
The high competition in the profession requires having a personal style that is different from others. To develop it, I studied and worked a lot. I conducted numerous photo sessions, experimenting with color, lighting, props, and other equally important details. I managed to find the special touch that distinguishes my work from others and makes it recognizable. I use only a specific color palette and natural shades. These are beige and cream tones with touches of pink and green. Such combinations, along with the right lighting, help to highlight the mood of the shot. As a result, the photographs turn out incredibly tender and touching.
I also have a special approach to selecting decor. I make some of the props myself. I crochet items and accessories that evoke genuine delight in the photos. I always strive to arrange the compositional space to create visual harmony. This makes the photographs look refined and expensive. But for me, the most important thing is that the baby remains the center of attention.
Share your successes and achievements.
“Success comes only to those who dare to try”. I don’t know who said this, but I completely agree with it. I dared to start photographing, and I never tire of learning and developing my professional skills and abilities. I dared to start participating in serious photo contests. In 2022, I was ranked among the best newborn photographers, winning 3rd place in the “Emotions. Newborn” category at the Best Newborn Photographers contest. This is the largest and only contest for newborn photographers in Russia. At the Russian Photo Awards that same year, my photo won the audience vote in the “Newborn” category. 2023 was no exception. At Best Newborn Photographers, my contest work took 3rd place in the “Family portrait with a newborn” category. But I am most proud of participating in the most prestigious and ambitious international competition, the International Photography Awards (IPA), where my work received an “Honorable mention” in the “People Newborn/Baby” category and “Official Selection” in the “People Newborn/Baby” category. My winning contest photo was featured in the “Honorable mention” gallery, and my name is listed in the IPA Annual Book of Photography.
I dared to start publishing in top children’s and specialty magazines. My authorial works adorn the covers and pages of international magazines such as Top Posters, Swanky Kids Magazine, Vida, Marika, and Kozi Magazine. Thus, I dared to succeed.
What goals do you set for yourself and what peaks are you striving to overcome to enhance your achievements and achieve new successes?
New successes depend on new achievements, which require not only inspiration but also constant development of professional skills. I am looking for new locations, compositions, and techniques to make the shots even more aesthetic and vibrant. But today, simply photographing is no longer enough for me. I clearly recognize and feel the need to teach others the art of photography. To this end, I am working on creating an authorial online course for newborn photography. I strive to make it as accessible as possible even for those who do not have innate creative abilities but are ready to develop them. For those who are ready to dare to begin.
I have plans to engage in individual mentoring and organize workshops. I recently released a video guide “How to Prepare for a Newborn Photo Session”. I hope that in the near future there will be several new thematic guides. I am working on opening my own online school.
How do you balance your time between creativity and family?
I have a wonderful family. I am a happy mother and wife. My husband and son support me in everything. My loved ones are the main source of my inspiration. They energize me, help me move forward, and reach new heights. In turn, I strive to balance work and family. I love my job deeply and adore my family!
