Some stories don&rsquo;t need grand statements. They come through in a quiet glance, the angle of light on skin, or a face unguarded in a moment of calm.

This editorial grew out of those fragments. A conversation in images between three women whose work revolves around the body, beauty, and perception. But what they bring to the table goes beyond aesthetics. Photographer Kate Klipatskaya, makeup artist Oksana Suzarukova, and model Karina Valeshna each reflect on creative intimacy, personal presence, and how meaning is shaped through collaboration.

Kate Klipatskaya / Photographer
In her Chicago studio, Kate Klipatskaya works with light, form, and feeling. Her style blends fashion and portraiture with an eye for subtle detail. What stands out is not just her technique, but the way her portraits feel considered and quietly human.
What does it mean for you to be a photographer? What draws you most to the process?
Being a photographer means knowing how to see and feel at the same time. It's not just about catching a moment, but consciously choosing what deserves to stay in the frame. What inspires me most is the process itself &mdash; from the first conversation to the final image. It's about noticing, transforming, and witnessing how someone opens up when they feel truly seen.
For me, photography is a way to say something important without words. It's how I express an idea, a feeling, a truth &mdash; through light, form, gaze. But the most meaningful part is the communication. Getting to know the person, listening to them, reading their inner state, and reflecting that back in a way that sometimes even surprises them.
Your work feels deeply personal, even for the viewer. How do you tune in to such intimate energy with your subjects?
I never start with the camera &mdash; I start with conversation. I listen. I observe. I try to sense what's important for the person in front of me, what they want to express or hide. My goal is always to create a space where they don&rsquo;t have to perform or pretend. When someone feels safe and respected, they let go. That&rsquo;s when the real transformation begins.
This editorial explores the body as both powerful and fragile. What did you most want to express?
That strength doesn't always look hard, and fragility isn't weakness. I wanted to show honesty. To let the body speak &mdash; through posture, breath, the way it catches light. It&rsquo;s about presence, not perfection. I think vulnerability in an image is where its strength lies.
You often balance visual clarity with emotional tactility. How do you achieve that?
I love clean, crisp frames &mdash; but they have to feel alive. I pay attention to details, textures, and the direction of light. That gives the image structure. But the soul comes through when the person in the frame is truly present. The best photographs happen when I&rsquo;m fully present with the person, and they trust me enough to be present with themselves.

Oksana Suzarukova / Makeup Artist
Oksana Suzarukova, founder of Re/Vibe Beauty Studio in downtown Chicago, has worked on runways and film festivals across continents. Her makeup philosophy centers on authenticity. She focuses on lightness, skin, and confidence that comes from within.
Do you remember the moment you chose to become a makeup artist?
Honestly, I feel like the profession chose me. I&rsquo;ve always noticed things &mdash; the way light touches a face, the way people carry themselves when they feel beautiful. At some point I realized that makeup isn&rsquo;t just technique. It&rsquo;s energy. It&rsquo;s what you offer someone. From there, everything followed &mdash; training, weddings, shoots, fashion weeks, my own studio.
You create very natural, breathable looks. What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty is a feeling. When a woman looks in the mirror and sees herself &mdash; not a mask, not a version, but a brighter, more rested version of herself &mdash; that&rsquo;s real beauty. Of course, textures matter. I care how skin behaves, how everything blends. But the most important thing is recognition. She needs to see herself and feel good.
This shoot had a pared-back aesthetic &mdash; subtle styling, natural texture, and a focus on presence. Did that come with any particular challenges for you as a makeup artist?
Actually, this is the kind of work I love most. I believe in honest beauty &mdash; no heaviness, no layers. Not to hide &mdash; but to reveal. Not to impose &mdash; but to enhance. This kind of shoot requires delicacy and respect. Every brushstroke matters, because you&rsquo;re not covering &mdash; you&rsquo;re turning something natural into art.
Have you ever seen someone shift &mdash; emotionally or energetically &mdash; right after makeup was applied, as if something realigned inside them?
All the time. Especially when someone comes in tired or disconnected. We start slowly &mdash; brows, glow, lips. And then she looks in the mirror. And I see the shift. That moment of "I am beautiful. I remember her." That&rsquo;s not just makeup. That&rsquo;s a return to self.

Karina Valeshna / Model
Karina Valeshna moves between California, New York, and Miami, bringing a calm precision to an often chaotic industry. With roots in pop culture and a clear creative eye, she&rsquo;s part model, part storyteller. Each shoot is both performance and collaboration.
Have you always dreamed of becoming a model? What first drew you in?
Absolutely! My mom introduced me to American pop culture early on &mdash; M1 channel, The Fabulous Life, America&rsquo;s Next Top Model, the Kardashians. She&rsquo;d photograph me everywhere, even in fitting rooms. I loved every moment. That&rsquo;s where my passion started.
You often portray nuanced emotional states. How do you prepare for a shoot like that?
I think it started by watching others &mdash; backstage, on set, behind the lens. That visual memory helped. Now, I&rsquo;m more involved in shaping the concept itself &mdash; I love styling, planning, storytelling. Acting helps too. I build a character in my mind through references, films, campaigns. And then I let her come alive.
You often work in vulnerable settings. What grounds you?
I see modeling as art. My body is a tool, but also a canvas. I always ask myself: what's the purpose of this shoot? What's the story? Boundaries matter, of course. But within that frame, you bring the concept to life. It&rsquo;s not just about posing. It&rsquo;s about knowing your strengths and turning them into meaning.
What do you think every model should ask herself?
I believe if you are a model you should ask yourself: &ldquo;What&rsquo;s the purpose? What&rsquo;s the bigger picture?&rdquo; Modeling isn&rsquo;t just about posing &mdash; it&rsquo;s a multidimensional structure. It&rsquo;s about strategy, knowing how to showcase your strengths, and turning them into real value.

Photo: Kate Klipatskaya [@<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kateklipatskaya/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kateklipatskaya</a>]
Model &amp; Style: Karina Valeshna [@<a href="https://www.instagram.com/karina.valeshnaya/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">karina.valeshnaya</a>]
Makeup Artist: Oksana Suzarukova [@<a href="https://www.instagram.com/beauty_by_oksana_chicago/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beauty_by_oksana_chicago</a>]
Location: K8 Photo Studio [@<a href="https://www.instagram.com/k8.photostudio/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">k8.photostudio</a>]
Producer: [@<a href="https://www.instagram.com/say__media/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">say__media</a>]

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