– Tatiana, please tell us about your journey in America. Where did you study and work before moving to Texas?
I received a higher education in journalism and photography in Moscow, having graduated from the International Independent Ecological-Political University (International Independent Ecological-Political University) and the VGIK School of Photography and the Moscow School of photography and multimedia, named after A. Rodchenko (Rodchenko Moscow School of Photography and Multimedia). Then, I moved to Paris, where I graduated from the ESEC film school – Graduate School Of Film Studies Paris, and then moved to New York, where I graduated from The School Of Visual Arts New York City.
In New York, I continued to work as a photographer (www.tatianagodard.com), creating my own personal projects, finding unique people with amazing life stories (www.tatianailina.com), and also taught art and photography at the Spanish American Institute in New York.
During the first two years of living in America, I first received an O-1 Visa (Individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement), then a national interest waiver green card for my journalistic and photographic activities in different countries.
– Was Austin your initial choice or did you end up here by coincidence?
I remember the first time I visited Texas, in 2012, when I visited New York/the US as a tourist and in some unexplainable way completely fell in love with Austin in particular, even felt some kind of nostalgia, as if I had already lived here, everything seemed familiar.
We decided to move away from New York during quarantine when it became unbearable to be stuck in a city apartment, unable to go anywhere for days on end.
Initially, we moved to California and lived in Santa Monica for 6 months, but it didn’t feel like a real home, so then we decided to move to Austin and are still very happy with this decision!
– What do you like most about Austin?
Austin is the place where you can live freely! The friendiest and warmest people live here, making it easy to find kind, talented, and genuine friends. The people here do not act arrogant or as if they feel superior, everyone accepts each other as they are and it’s easy to talk to anyone. The weather is also ideal because I love heat, even when it’s extremely hot.
There are also a lot of interesting events and a lot of work opportunities, everything is great, we really love living here!
– Please tell us about your profession and your work.
I am a documentary photographer/journalist but I’m also been doing commercial photography since I was 20 (currently I’m 37) and I have been organizing any kind of photo and video shooting in different countries for quite a long time and now I am glad to continue it here!
On my websites, you can find examples of my work, as well as descriptions of awards, competitions, and achievements related to photography and journalism.
Commercial photography website for clients: www.tatianagodard.com
Website of my personal projects: www.tatianailina.com
– Which of your projects was the most memorable and why?
My most impressive project, which brought me the most awards and success in the documentary world of photography, is my project about the Lilliputian circus, with which I traveled all over Russia. It was an unforgettable time, I think that it’s in moments like this that I’m truly living! I always pick stories of extraordinary people who achieved incredible things, despite the difficulties that not all of us could go through. The story about Lilliputians “Little Stars” and other stories of unique people can be seen on my website – www.tatianailina.com
– How is your relationship with your original country? Do you miss any aspects of life from before?
I miss my parents and my friends who still live in Moscow, and I miss our super fun photography hangouts and endless exhibitions. It was an amazing time that I will always remember with joy!
– Please tell us about your family. What do you do outside of work?
I moved to Austin with my family: my husband and 8-year-old daughter. My husband is Belgian. We met on New Year’s Eve when I visited New York for the holidays. Meeting him was the reason I moved to the United States.
We got married this year in Las Vegas, celebrated in the desert, where it was very beautiful, and we took incredible photos. After that, we spent a long vacation in Russia and Europe and then established permanent residence in Austin.
We love to travel, do creative projects, meet interesting people, and have fun.
Since we moved here only a few months ago, we have yet to learn more about the Russian-speaking community and events that we would be happy to attend, and we would also be very happy to make new friends!
– What are your favorite books and movies?
I especially love the works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Boris Vian, and Theodore Dreiser. In regards to Russian cinema, I really love Andrei Tarkovsky, whose talent is simply remarkable. I love the new wave of French cinema. My favorite of these directors is Jean-Luc Godard, whose films inspired me to take up photography when I was 20 years old. I love David Lynch very much because his special surrealistic vision of the world, which I fully share in my works.
– Do you think Austin needs a Russian Cultural Center? If yes, how would you like to participate?
It is great, of course, that there is a Russian Cultural Center in Austin. It is important for immigrants from any country to have a community in their new residence where they can meet similar people, organize interesting joint projects, and have a good time! I would be happy to participate and help the Russian community with my creativity!
– What would you like to wish for the Russian-speaking residents of Austin/Texas?
To the Russian-speaking residents of Austin: I wish you a great holiday season, and for you to always do what you love and share it with others, delight, and inspire!
Contact information:
Tatiana Ilina
Email: hi@tatianailina.com
Tel: (917)-285-5083