For everyone, freedom is something personal. For me, it is about the right to be myself, not fearing to think and speak, listening to my feelings, and honestly looking to the future.
This work is my way of reflecting on my experiences during the last few years of living in Russia: a constant sense of anxiety about the future, about the fate of my country. I now live in Armenia and am building a new life, but my family remains there, and my worries are still close.
"What are you afraid of?" is an exploration of the inner nature of fear and vulnerability, as well as an attempt to find peace and balance in the face of these emotions. The viewer can peer into the depths of their own experiences and ask themselves an important question: how do fears, anxieties, and internal limitations affect our lives, and can they be transformed into strength?
In the photographs, children symbolizing the inner child face the cruelty and unpredictability of a world where what happens is not always within our control. And adults, who have already accepted this reality — resigned to its impermanence, surrendering to the flow of life.
The series is also complemented by images of doves, which carry a personal subtext for me. Doves have become a symbol of connection with my family, as in every creative project based on personal experiences, I photograph my father’s doves. For him, they are part of an Armenian tradition passed down through generations among the men in our family.
Doves also symbolize both vulnerability and freedom, adding depth to the question "What are you afraid of?". On one hand, they are often associated with peace and calm — qualities we strive for in overcoming our fears. On the other hand, doves are creatures that live among us, often unnoticed, as if reminding us that our fears exist alongside us, rooted within us, even if we do not always notice them. The flight of the doves represents the pursuit of freedom, while their landing points to the need to face reality.
Team:
Photo @yaadelina_photography
Photo assist @its__alice_
Style @vikyy_kot
Mua @dreams_of_lilac
Models @m__102
@Alecdmi
Samira
Timofey
