Today we’d like to introduce you to Masha Dyachok.
Masha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I got my first camera at the age of 16, from there I haven’t stopped shooting. I capture moments through people. You can really get a sense of emotion through a person’s face. I think my very first shot on my Canon T5i was of my grandparents. I should find that photo. [Laughter] From there, I spent the next year just shooting random things I saw, learning how to use shutter speed, ISO, and aperture to capture my vision. Once I got my 50 mm lens (nifty fifty gang wassup), I REALLY started to shoot portraits seriously. People were my favorite subjects, and after my first photo meetup, I was hooked. If you’ve never been to a portrait meetup, it’s basically a bunch of local photographers, models, makeup artists, and stylists networking and creating beautiful shots. Nowadays, you can catch me at most of the girl-gang meetups hosted by @lunarkris, as well as just goofing off while shooting my friends and the vast assortment of events taking place in Dallas.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
So far, I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve met some amazing models at meetups who I’ve gone on to do further collabs with. Additionally, at meetups, so many of the other photographers are super nice and are always willing to teach a newbie some tips and tricks. This way, I’ve been able to build up my portfolio and get a bunch of content lined up for posting without as much time commitment. (It’s can be super hard balancing college with shooting portraits) In the future, I want to get more into shooting fashion/editorial for bigger clients. I believe having a photography account on Instagram is a great way to get my face out there and connect with others. Some advice for beginners who are getting into portraiture is to go to meetups! Yes, it can be awkward at first but once you open up and start getting to know other creatives, your perspective can really widen. Don’t hesitate to ask others for advice on camera settings or framing, believe me- I am still constantly learning new things from others. As for younger women, I definitely suggest trying out Girl Gang Meetups specifically. GG consists of all-women + a few men creatives who create and encourage a safe space for women to create some amazing content.
Tell us more about your business. What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My work centers mostly on people. And because a person is ever-changing, so is my work. I think what sets me apart is my ability to embrace color. When editing my pictures, I really love bright vivid colors that bring life to a photo. I know other photographers like to stick to certain color schemes, but I embrace any and all tonal ranges.
That doesn’t mean I don’t have an eye for color! When planning my IG feed, I always am sure to post photos that go well together. Because I am technically part of “Gen Z,” I know all about social media, specifically Instagram.
I think I can offer awesome photos to anybody who wants to make their feed stand out from the rest. And by talking to clients, seeing their vision for their social media and some photo influences, I can take shots that really capture them as a person.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Networking through Girl Gang meetup is simply the best way to find a mentor- especially one who’s a woman. I can’t even begin to tell you how many awesome female creatives I’ve met at these meetups. Another thing, don’t be afraid to reach out to people on Instagram! If you like someone’s style, don’t be afraid to let them know. DM’ing on Instagram usually works best, but emailing is fine too. The worst they can do is leave you on read, haha. Most photographers are super friendly and are willing to give advice on editing tricks and settings for different environments.
Pricing:
- Portrait Session- $50 per hour, each hour will give you 5 edited photos, best for senior, graduation, prom photos
- Instagram Feed Photos- $40 per hour, bring your own outfits and choose your location, more informal than portrait session
Contact Info:
- Phone: 682-252-3778
- Email: mashadyachok@gmail.com
- Instagram: Masha.Captures
Image Credit:
Yen Pham, Masha Dyachok
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