Photo therapy
Photos with meaning. No editing. On film.
★★★★★
Top rated by 30+ clients
Why photo therapy?
Most people who contact me aren't looking for beautiful photographs.
They're looking for a different relationship with themselves.
Many tell me they don't feel comfortable in front of a camera. More often, they admit they don't feel comfortable in their own skin.
Some struggle with body image or the changes that come with aging. Others carry the marks of trauma, illness, self-harm, or experiences that have changed the way they see themselves. Many have spent years looking at themselves through a harsh, critical inner voice.
The lens and photographer's presence becomes a space to explore relationship with your body, inner self talk and trust.
Rather than trying to create the "perfect picture," together we become curious about what it feels like to be seen. What emotions appear? What stories do you tell yourself? What happens when another person looks at you?
Sometimes those questions are uncomfortable. Like psychotherapy, this is not always an easy experience. Many people cry. But many discover something unexpected: a gentler way of relating to themselves.
Allowing another person to see you with kindness often becomes an invitation to extend some of that kindness toward yourself.
How it works
Every Photo Therapy journey is slightly different, but it usually unfolds in three parts.
Before the photoshoot. We begin with an online conversation. We discuss practical details, but more importantly, we explore what brought you here. What are you hoping to discover? What relationship would you like to have with yourself that feels difficult today? People often bring topics such as self-esteem, body image, intimacy, sexuality, trauma, identity, aging, or self-acceptance.
The photoshoot. The session itself takes place in Bogotá, Colombia using analogue film photography. There is no retouching or editing. Rather than trying to achieve a particular look, I pay attention to your experience of being photographed, your emotions, thoughts, comfort and curiosity.
Afterwards. A few days later we meet again online. Together we reflect on both the photographs and the experience itself. Sometimes the most meaningful part isn't the final images but what happened while they were being created. Film helps a lot with being more present since the ability to see the photo isn't available many comment being able to feel themselves more involved and connected with their body and inner expression.
"1000% level of delicacy"
"amazing photo artist @rita.pakhlova, a person who feels the state of the soul very subtly and has a highly artistic vision, which is not found in every experienced art person.I had long dreamed of a photoshoot where I would be who I am, how I feel and see myself. Rita said she wanted to give me a photoshoot, a photo therapy, and even on film, which was already amazing and magical for me.Everything fell into place right away, from discussing ideas to the process itself. We photographed with a sense of fullness and admiration for beauty, without tension, in the flow. Rita simply asked me to enjoy the process, do what I felt, and that is the perfect version of a photographer - she wisely and lovingly, like a parent and an observing artist, captures everything on her magical film and then conducts a therapeutic analysis of the photoshoot with you, which is also very interesting! 1000% level of delicacy and empathy, cooler than many experienced psychologists)) And all this can be seen in the photos: the atmosphere, the state, the light and the color! We got a lot of cool photos.Thank you, Ritul! It was cosmic❤️ I'm a happy person!)If you want to come to yourself faster and experience magic - you need to go to Rita, she is a conductor of light energies))."
- Arina Kukh
"This is a declaration of love!"
"This is a declaration of love! I love this photoshoot! I am delighted with the photographer 😍! During the two day photo session, we had a complete dissolution in the process💫. Trust between two people who accept each other is priceless!!!"
- Tiana Kovaleva:
"Just like a queen"
"Hurrying today with the children, I could not tell you how fascinated I am! The morning route passed through an alley with densely flowering chestnut trees. The trees greeted me so solemnly, just like a queen! I’m yet to know myself in this role." 😌
- Yulia Boychenko
"Where I need to work on myself"
"I have learned many lessons from this experience, a... Only now I realized that my self image is very different from reality. Others see and perceive me in a completely different way to how I look at myself in the mirror. My inner critic turned out to be much harsher than the opinion of people who are important and close to me, and even more harsher than reality itself. I have learned many lessons from this experience, about self-acceptance, taming of my inner critic, acceptance of one's femininity and beauty. I saw many moments where I need to work on myself and on my perception of reality. Phototherapy can be painful, it can expose and open wounds. Our wounds may differ but the story they tell is about real you. Was it helpful? Definitely yes! Thank you Rita. There is some magic in what you do ❤️❤️❤️."
- Anastasia Baranchuk
"Thanks for excavation of me"
"It was magical both the process and the result 🙌🏻 thank you for your delicate and honest look at my reality, my world and my acceptance of all this ❤️ Thanks for excavation of me ❤️"
- Marina Kirova
"Resistance was strong"
"The resistance [to photoshoot] was strong. I just understood that afterwards it can not be the same."
- Nina
"Decision to be yourself"
"This is the case when you have only one MOMENT, one shot, one move, one pose and the decision to BE YOURSELF. There are no other options. Rita, you expose souls. It’s an honor for me to discover a new dimension of myself through your lens!"
- Julia Green
"I fell in love with myself even more"
"Before at the photoshoot I was told: the left side is your working one, and it’s better not to turn right. You somehow calmly and confidently said that I was beautiful, no matter how I stand, that on the contrary I have a beautiful smile. You managed to convince me and I fell in love with myself even more, thank you."
- Tatiana Starova
What clients are saying
"Relaxation for the soul"
"The photo therapy you prepared for me was interesting and unique. Firstly, it was like a relaxation for the soul - with beautiful music and a relaxed atmosphere. Secondly, you were able to capture not only my mood, but also my feelings, and all of it is recorded in the photos, which by the way, I really like because they were taken by a talented person. Thank you 😊."
- Alona Kohan
"Photoshoot could be so easy"
"I never thought that a photoshoot could be so easy. We walked, talked and just enjoyed ourselves. Rita's energy is simply comforting. Every shot is created with ease and the result is just wow. Each one communicates me, my personality."
- Olga Galik
"This is not a digital camera!"
"Dear God, this is not a digital camera! There is only one shot and that's it! Every time after the click, she froze, as if she was watching the northern lights. The entire photoshoot went on in one breath, even though it lasted for 4 hours."
- Gayane Arushanian
My 3-step process
...
1. Goal setting
This is a meeting where I help you formulate your personal goal to explore during the photo shoot. Discuss details and manage expectations
2. Therapeutic photoshoot
It’s quiet, spacious and accepting environment. about trust, presence and letting go. The location, clothes and props are not that important – they are facilitators and not the main players. The heroine is you and your goal
3. Sense making
This is a meeting to discuss a lived through experience and make sense of it, explore feelings, insights, create memorabilia
FAQ
Will I have a makeup artist or stylist on set during the photoshoot?
My shoots are of an intimate and personalized nature, it's a one-on-one experience that is tailored to the individual client's needs and desires. I don't invite guests or other artists on set. During the shoot, my focus is on capturing the true essence of my clients, so I leave the choice of clothing to them, in the end the shoot it's not about style or fashion. If clients prefer to have professional hair and makeup, they are welcome to arrange it independently before the shoot.
What’s the difference between your therapeutic photoshoot and a regular photo session?
Regular photo session is typically more focused on the external appearance and creating visually appealing images. I use my background in psychotherapy to incorporate some of its principles and turn a photo session into a therapeutic experience. Some of those principles are: having a purpose/goal, acceptance, listening, open-ended questions, silence, no guidance.
How do I pay for the photoshoot?
Booking fee is 50% of the price and acts as a non-refundable deposit to secure your space in the calendar. The remaining amount can be paid after the last consultation. Payment methods are bank transfer (Wise, ARQ, Bancolombia, Nequi), or cash.
The studio fee is paid separately by the client and is not included in the photoshoot price, unless it's mentioned otherwise.
What can I expect from online meetings session with you?
This process can lead to increased self awareness, self-confidence and increased trust in yourself. The first, goal setting session is for exploring and clarifying the "why". The making sense session - for reflecting and discussing this often vulnerable and emotional experience of being photographed.
Please take care of preparing a private, quiet place for yourself. And ensure that you’re uninterrupted for the duration of the meeting.
How long does it take to receive my photos?
Your photos will be ready within a week. They are suitable for use on social media, websites, and print. The standard resolution is 2075 x 3130 JPEG. Once your photos are ready, I will send you a link to a private online gallery where you can download your photos. Usually, you need to download them within 2 weeks' time, after which they will be deleted. I keep physical films and digital scans for a 2-year period. Feel free to approach me in case you lose your files.
How can your photoshoots help me feel confident and beautiful?
While there are no guarantees, many of my clients report feeling empowered and confident in their own skin after our photoshoots. Coming face-to-face with oneself can be emotional and challenging at times, and it may stir up tears or difficult emotions such as anger, regret, or blame. However, with personal reflection and a curiosity to explore and understand oneself better, the process can be rewarding.
In fact, I've found that by treating the experience as a self-discovery journey, beautiful photos tend to naturally follow as a byproduct. 🙂
What is your cancellation policy?
If you cancel more than 24 hours before the photoshoot, there is no charge. If you cancel within 24 hours, there will be a studio fee for the booked time. The 50% deposit is non-refundable, but you have 30 calendar days to schedule and complete the photoshoot. If you need to reschedule after the 30 calendar days period, it will be treated as a new booking and another 50% deposit will be required.
What makes a photoshoot therapeutic?
Therapeutic can be called something if it enhances insight into yourself, promotes the awareness and moves you forward. In my case there are several things that facilitate my photo sessions to be therapeutic: goal setting, focus on self-exploration, not seeing photos, not editing photos and silence.
© Rita Pakhlova 2026