An interview with street and travel photographer Oksana Bochina.
What initially sparked your interest in pursuing art, and how has your journey evolved since then?
Art has been a part of my life since I was five when I entered music school to study piano and choir. Traveling to different countries with the choir and experiencing new places at a young age sparked my fascination with capturing memories and the emotions tied to them. My love for photography emerged in my teenage years as I travelled more and felt the urge to preserve fleeting moments. Over time, I began to notice details others might overlook—the way light falls on a street corner, the expressions of passersby, the quiet poetry of everyday life. Photography became more than just a way to document my travels; it turned into a means of storytelling, allowing me to share the world as I see it.
Photography became more than just a way to document my travels; it turned into a means of storytelling, allowing me to share the world as I see it.
Can you tell us about a specific piece of your artwork that holds particular significance to you, and what inspired its creation?
One of my most meaningful photographs is Inspiring Tranquillity, which captures a pianist performing on the streets of Bath, UK. This piece is a perfect reflection of my love for photography, music, and travelling. When I stumbled upon this scene, I was completely captivated by the pianist’s playing—it was so moving that I almost cried. The music filled the street with a sense of joy and hope, and in that moment, I knew I had to preserve it. For me, photography is not just about what the camera sees but also about what I feel when I press the shutter. Behind this image is one of the most emotional moments of my life, and I’m grateful to have captured it.
How do you navigate the balance between staying true to your artistic vision and experimenting with new techniques or styles?
For me, staying true to my artistic vision doesn’t mean resisting change—it means evolving while keeping the essence of what moves me as a photographer. I always strive to capture genuine moments of human connection and atmosphere, but I also challenge myself to experiment with different techniques, compositions, and lighting to deepen the emotional impact of my work. Whether it’s trying new perspectives, exploring different post-processing methods, or incorporating elements of storytelling in fresh ways, I see experimentation as a way to grow while staying authentic to my artistic voice.
Whether it’s trying new perspectives, exploring different post-processing methods, or incorporating elements of storytelling in fresh ways, I see experimentation as a way to grow while staying authentic to my artistic voice.
What role do you believe art plays in society, and how do you envision your work contributing to the artistic dialogue?
Art is a powerful way of preserving history—not just major events, but the emotions, everyday moments, and unseen stories that define our lives. It captures the essence of a time and place, allowing future generations to connect with the past on a deeply human level. Photography, in particular, has the ability to freeze a single moment in time, making it both a document and an emotional imprint. Through my work, I strive to contribute to this ongoing visual dialogue by capturing authentic, unscripted moments that reflect the beauty, complexity, and spontaneity of life. I hope my photographs not only preserve these fleeting instants but also evoke emotions and spark connections across cultures and generations.
Through my work, I strive to contribute to this ongoing visual dialogue by capturing authentic, unscripted moments that reflect the beauty, complexity, and spontaneity of life.
Are there any upcoming projects or themes that you're excited to explore in your future artworks, and if so, what draws you to these ideas?
I am always drawn to discovering new places and capturing the essence of different cultures through my lens. My next journey will take me to Scotland, where I plan to explore the character of its small towns, the rugged beauty of the Highlands, and the rich stories hidden in everyday life. I find that each new destination offers fresh perspectives and opportunities to document the fleeting, unscripted moments that define the human experience.
At the same time, I am also curious about experimenting with new creative directions. I have a deep love for fantasy and storytelling, and I am interested in exploring fantasy-inspired portraiture—images that evoke a sense of magic and wonder while still maintaining the emotional depth I seek in my photography. While street photography remains at the heart of my work, I believe that artistic growth comes from embracing new ideas, and I look forward to seeing how these influences shape my future projects.
How do you hope your art will impact viewers, and what message or emotion do you aspire to convey through your creative expressions?
I hope my photography encourages people to slow down and notice the moments that often go unseen—the fleeting interactions, quiet emotions, and hidden beauty of everyday life. In a fast-paced world, we sometimes overlook the small yet meaningful details that surround us. Through my work, I aim to capture these moments and share them in a way that evokes emotion and connection. Whether it’s a glance between strangers, the play of light on an empty street, or the quiet presence of a lone musician, I want my images to remind viewers of the beauty in the ordinary and the poetry in daily life.
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