Kseniia Zhukova The Woman Who Photographs the Soul.

In a world saturated with polished images and curated perfection, some artists choose a different path, one that leads not to visual glamour but to emotional truth. Among them is Kseniia Zhukova, a professional photographer, psychologist, and the creator of the transformative Native project. Her work stands at the intersection of art and inner healing, revealing not just a person’s face but the landscape of their soul.

Kseniia Zhukova

For Kseniia, photography was never merely about capturing an image. It was a way of meeting a human being on a deeper level, of listening to emotions before pressing the shutter, and of reminding both the subject and the viewer of the beauty of honesty. This quiet philosophy guides every session she creates.

Her journey, however, did not begin behind the camera. Kseniia first imagined a life dedicated to psychology. After university, she planned to build her own private practice, until the day photography unexpectedly entered her life and shifted everything. The camera became a bridge between her understanding of the human psyche and her creative instincts. From that moment forward, she embarked on a long and passionate exploration: developing her signature style, experimenting for years with the idea of the “perfect photograph,” and continually immersing herself in learning through courses, master classes, and collaborations with psychological projects.

Nearly a decade later, Kseniia remains a seeker of inspiration, of emotion, of truth. She finds these sparks in books, music, art, and, most of all, in people. “You never know who will touch your heart the next moment, and how strongly your soul will fly toward this person,” she says. This openness carried her through one of the most challenging chapters of her life. After years of emigration and confronting both internal and external crises, she found her creative rebirth in Bulgaria. There, surrounded by new like-minded souls and collaborating with human rights organizations, she rediscovered her thirst for life and her devotion to meaningful storytelling.

Much of Kseniia’s work will never appear in public portfolios. These sessions are too intimate, too personal, moments where women allow themselves to be seen, sometimes for the first time. Like therapy, this form of photography becomes a tool of transformation: fragile and strong, vulnerable and bright, each woman unique in her truth.

Photos By Kseniia

This philosophy led to the creation of Native, Kseniia’s response to the polished realities of social media. Native is not a project about aesthetics; it is a movement toward naturalness and sincerity. These sessions take place without makeup or styling, often in a woman’s favorite casual clothes, or without them at all. The result is a portrait of astonishing authenticity, where vulnerability becomes a form of strength and beauty emerges not from perfection, but from presence.

In future, Kseniia hopes to grow her involvement in socially important work. Her goal is clear: to use photography as a tool to speak about what matters, to heal what hurts, and to empower those who step in front of her lens. Whether through intimate portraits, love stories, or event documentation, she brings a rare gift, the ability to see people not just as they appear, but as they truly are.

Photos By Kseniia

Behind the Scenes with Kseniia Zhukova: Exclusive Interview!

Photos By Kseniia

L’Heure: What drew you to the moment when you realized photography was not just an art form, but a way to meet the soul behind the person you photograph?

Kseniia: I started to feel trapped by the limits set by trends, clients and social approval. My soul needed deeper creative expression, and I needed to see myself in the photos I was creating. I think that was the turning point. When I began to open my inner world through my photos, the women I worked with began to open their souls in return. That connection completely changed the way I saw photography. I realized that my soul, just like anyone else’s, can only meet another soul that is just as open, sensitive and ready for this kind of meeting.

Discover the full story of Kseniia Zhukova's journey. Click here to read the complete article.