Today we’d like to introduce you to Maryna Gliebova
Hi Maryna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been working in photography and retouching for over 17 years. I started out as an assistant, learning in the field, and taught myself Photoshop and Lightroom before they became mainstream. For many years, I taught courses on retouching and composition, but I never stopped shooting. Over time, I developed my own recognizable style — emotional, atmospheric portraits with a strong focus on light, shadow, and mood.
At some point, I realized that what mattered most to me wasn’t just creating beautiful images, but telling stories. That’s how I became a family photographer. Some of my clients are families I’ve been photographing every year for over a decade. It’s a beautiful experience — being invited into someone’s life, witnessing their transformations. You see children grow up, new babies being born, pets joining the family, older kids getting married and leaving the nest.
I love to travel, and because of that, my photography has taken me to many places — I’ve worked in Europe and Africa. Now I live in Houston, where I shoot portraits and family sessions and work on personal creative projects. One of them is called Silver Waves — a photo series about women who’ve embraced their natural gray hair and stopped dyeing it. For me, this project is about honesty with oneself, the courage to embrace aging and challenging societal stereotypes.
I also teach workshops for photographers, where I show how to draw inspiration from cinema and create visually strong images using simple and affordable lighting techniques.
Photography is the language I speak. What matters to me is that my images feel alive — not perfect, but real. The kind that stay with you not because they’re flawless, but because they’re true.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course, it hasn’t been a smooth road. I would even say it’s been quite a bumpy one — but that’s what made it interesting. When you choose a creative profession, you also choose instability, constant doubt, experimentation, fear, and a lot of overwork. Especially in the beginning, when you’re your own photographer, retoucher, accountant, and marketing team all in one.
There were times when I burned out and lost inspiration. It was especially difficult after moving — having to start over from scratch: a new country, a different language, an unfamiliar market. You have to reintroduce yourself, explain who you are, what makes your work different, and why your pricing makes sense. That requires a lot of inner strength.
My first big move happened in 2014, when I had to let go of the photo studio and photography school I had been developing for eight years. After that, I decided not to tie myself to one region anymore and launched a travel-based photography business. These were creative trips for women — I would choose inspiring countries and beautiful locations, and together with the participants and a stylist, we would select outfits that matched the style and color palette of the place, and then we’d do on-location photo shoots. It was a dream — until the pandemic hit, and I had to shut that down
In 2022, my family and I moved to Houston, where I was lucky to quickly connect with the local photography community. I joined the Professional Photographers Guild of Houston — one of the oldest photography associations in the area — and I’m truly proud that they invited me to lead a workshop for their members. It was an incredible experience to share my knowledge, creative vision, and love for storytelling with such a talented and supportive group
Along the way, there have been some meaningful wins. I’ve had the honor of being invited to judge international photography competitions, including Best Family Photo 2024. My work has been selected for gallery exhibitions — both in Europe and the U.S. One of the most challenging and rewarding milestones was winning a PSA Gold Medal in a major international competition. These contests receive thousands of submissions from hundreds of photographers around the world, so taking home such a prestigious award was a huge moment in my career — not just for the recognition, but for the personal confirmation that my voice and vision matter.
Now I understand that every difficult chapter taught me something important — how to stay grounded, protect my creative energy, listen to myself, and choose projects that truly inspire me
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I photograph people.
It sounds simple, but it’s a whole universe.
I specialize in portrait and family photography, along with personal creative projects. My strength is seeing not just a “perfect image” but a real person — with their emotions, light, and story.
People often describe my work as atmospheric, emotional, and cinematic. I pay close attention to light and shadow, draw inspiration from film, and often use simple but expressive lighting setups.
For me, it’s not about posing — it’s about creating an environment where someone feels safe to relax, open up, and be themselves.
I’m proud to have developed a distinct visual voice over the years.
And I’m proud that people come back. I’ve been photographing some families year after year — we see each other every season, like I’m their visual storyteller, quietly collecting memories as the kids grow up and life changes around them.
I’m also proud of my Silver Waves project — a very personal exploration of aging, authenticity, and inner freedom. It was born out of my own reflections on maturity and identity, and on the visual stereotypes society places on women. What started as a small series turned into something much bigger — an ongoing celebration of silver-haired beauty and unapologetic self-expression.
And of course, I’m proud of the professional recognition I’ve received along the way. My work has been awarded at international competitions under PSA and FIAP, and exhibited in curated shows like Imagination. I’ve had the honor of judging international photography contests and seeing my images selected for exhibitions across the U.S. and Europe — including galleries in France, the UK, and the States. Each of these moments has been both humbling and motivating. They remind me that even deeply personal work can resonate far beyond you — when it’s honest.
Now, I’m thrilled to announce my upcoming solo exhibition, Light and Shadow, opening on May 16, 2025, at the Cultural Center “Our Texas” in Houston. This collection delves into the interplay between illumination and darkness, both in imagery and emotion. I’d be honored to share this journey with you all.
What sets me apart?
I know how to slow down and truly see.
I don’t shoot just to make something look pretty — I shoot to capture happiness as a memory.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The photography industry has been evolving constantly — and over the next 5–10 years, those changes will only accelerate.
First, the influence of artificial intelligence is growing rapidly — not just in retouching, but in image generation, lighting simulation, and even composition. I don’t think AI will replace photographers, but it will definitely reshape the profession. Most likely, photographers will become curators of visual output, working at the intersection of capturing and creatively directing imagery. This shift will require a new kind of thinking.
Second, individuality is becoming more important than ever. People are less interested in generic images and are craving authenticity. I believe photographers with a strong visual style will thrive. Algorithms can replicate techniques, but they can’t imitate taste, empathy, or a personal view of the world.
Third, we’re already seeing a cultural shift toward naturalness, aging with grace, and emotional honesty in imagery. That’s something I care deeply about. I believe we’ll continue to see more visual stories where the real beauty lies in the truth of the moment.
And of course, photography will become even more mobile and flexible — shooting on the go, hybrid formats, smartphones, working across borders. For many photographers, that won’t be the exception — it will be the norm.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mashaglebova.com
- Instagram: @mashaglebova1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mashaGlebova
