KRISTINA YENKO

We had the pleasure of catching up with Sydney-based photographer Kristina Yenko. Join us as we delve into Kristina's journey, inspirations & perspectives.

Tell us a little about yourself and your journey. How did you get started?

I initially studied Visual Communications at UTS before I figured out I didn’t like sitting down. After graduating, I kept working in hospo in the coffee industry with plans of going down the roasting path but realised I could always come back to it in future. A huge part of me felt creatively unsatisfied and hungry for something more.

My love for photography began when I was around 14 years old. I grew up watching my dad carry a 35mm around with him for family snaps and general moments. He was big on capturing memories. It made me realise that photography is pivotal in passing down stories and transporting yourself to a time and place. I cherish an afternoon going through all my family albums looking at old photos of Ukraine in the 70s.

To get my foot in the industry, I got a job working in rental equipment at a studio in Sydney. It was there where I learned about lighting and all the tools you could use to create feeling and mood. I made connections with people in the industry and also started assisting a few photographers to learn and level up my knowledge. Being on set makes you realize you can never learn these skills anywhere else. Learning to improvise, trouble shoot, go with the flow, communicate and be attentive. 

From there I decided to jump into freelancing and wanted to start shooting more. I dove into full time freelance during COVID, probably the scariest fucking thing I’ve ever done. I don’t have a safety net as I live alone in Sydney with most of my family in other cities and countries. So it was a great wake up call to hustle and work my ass off.

what exceptional women played a significant part in propelling you forward on your journey?

My biggest motivator would be my Mum. She has been there for me from day one. She raised me to believe I can do anything as long as I really really really really fucking want it. I grew up watching her work 3 jobs and support her parents when we moved to Australia from Kyiv. I barely saw her. That’s how hard she worked. A huge part of me wanted to make her proud and that’s what fuels me the most, especially when things are quiet. She is a ballerina actually, which most people find surprising as it’s quite a niche career to wind up in. She has danced her whole life. Watching her teach others and adapt to living in this foreign country very very far away from home has taught me true resilience. 

are there any significant moments or milestones from your journey that stand out to you?

I think my first ever milestone was getting a job at a big studio. I applied three times, and got rejected twice. First time at 21, I was told I was too young. Second time at 22, I was told I didn’t fit the criteria (whatever the fuck that means), but the third time I got a call from the manager saying they would love to welcome me on board! I remember getting the call at a servo on a random Wednesday and jumping out of the car seat. It was my first ticket into the industry and my first chance to learn. I guess the saying ‘never give up’ goes hard. Just keep trying, don’t take no for an answer.

Nowadays, I get rejections everyday. It’s part of the job. You get a lot of no’s, but with time those no’s turn into more yes’s. I like to think of it as training yourself to be cool with rejection. It’s really important regardless of what field you venture into. 

Can you share any daily routines or practices that you use to support your mental health and creativity? 

The number one thing that has helped me mentally is having some kind of routine in my life. Creative freelance work can be at times chaotic, and then other times really quiet. It comes in waves. I found having some stability in my day to day schedule helps me stay grounded.

Usually I start my mornings at the gym. I train hard - 5 days a week usually. I like to get up early, with plenty of time to shower, eat and drive over to a shoot, or alternatively tuck into emails on an admin day. 

Another thing that really helps me stay calm when stressed is yoga. I have been practicing for about 10 years now. It’s really pivotal in creating some perspective between yourself and life problems. It’s also the best form of self care, a non negotiable 75 min out of your day to just be alive and breathe and struggle and feel some kind of pain being released from tight hips and sore shoulders. 

How do you stay motivated and inspired when facing self-doubt? 

Self doubt is something that will stay with you, it never really goes away completely, no matter how ‘good’ people say your work is. I feel that self doubt fluctuates but definitely resurfaces when there aren't many jobs on for a week or two. It’s part of the human existence and to be honest I try to use self doubt to realign my values and my vision. Whenever I feel like I’m getting into a rut with my thoughts, I like to go outside for a really long walk and a podcast about something off topic. Bring perspective to any anxiety or negative thoughts. Another thing that helps motivate me is planning some editorial or creative personal projects. It’s really rewarding to work on something for yourself with an open brief.

Within your photography, what themes or messages related to gender do you explore? What captivates you about these specific subjects?

I love photographing the female form. Different shapes, crops, details, body landscapes. It really inspires me. For a long time I was terrified of photographing nudity and I think it’s partially due to being exposed to the male gaze for so long. I associated it with sexuality and lust. I had to train myself to think differently. It was really hard. I read a lot about the female gaze and that transformed my way of thinking. Now, I take any chance I get to photograph women and their bodies. 

The gender pay gap within the art/creative space is greater than the standard workforce: for example, Female artists make 25% less than their male counterparts, compared to the greater workforce gender pay gap of 16%. What initiatives do you think could actively address this?

Addressing the gender pay gap within the art and creative space requires a multifaceted approach that involves both systemic changes and cultural shifts.

A big thing is transparency. Encourage organizations within the art and creative industries to publicly disclose salary data broken down by gender. This transparency can help identify disparities and hold employers accountable for pay inequities. Provide negotiation training and resources specifically tailored to women in the art and creative industries. Many studies have shown that women are less likely to negotiate their salaries compared to men, so empowering them with negotiation skills can help bridge the pay gap.

Encourage organizations within the art and creative industries to publicly disclose salary data broken down by gender. This transparency can help identify disparities and hold employers accountable for pay inequities.

Promote gender diversity in leadership positions within art institutions, galleries, and creative agencies. Having more women in leadership roles can lead to more inclusive decision-making processes and help address systemic biases.

Raise awareness about the gender pay gap within the art and creative industries through education campaigns, workshops, and advocacy efforts. Encourage both employers and employees to actively work towards closing the gap and create a supportive environment for gender equality.

Although 71% of Australian art school graduates are women, the representation of female artwork in State Galleries and Museums is only around 34%. Do you think this is reflective of specific issues within the creative community? How can the representation of female artists be proactively increased in these spaces? 

Art history has traditionally been dominated by male artists, leading to the perpetuation of a male-centric narrative in the art world. So I completely understand it will take a bloody long time for that to shift. 

Female artists may face barriers to gaining visibility and opportunities for exhibitions, residencies, and acquisitions compared to their male counterparts. This lack of visibility can limit their exposure to curators and collectors, perpetuating the cycle of underrepresentation.I personally feel the pinch of this in the photography industry.

The only way we can increase female representation is by employing more female curators! Unconscious biases held by curators, collectors, and other decision-makers in the art world may contribute to the underrepresentation of female artists. These biases can influence perceptions of artistic quality and value, leading to the marginalisation of female artists.

Also a big one here is Support for Emerging Artists. Providing support and mentorship programs specifically targeted towards emerging female artists to help them navigate the art world and gain exposure to institutional opportunities.

What is something you’d like to see change for creative women in the next year? 

Building supportive communities and networks specifically for women in creative fields that foster collaboration, skill-sharing, and mentorship. We definitely need more of this. 

What key actions we can take to support feminist change-makers?

One of the most important things we can all do is to actively listen to and amplify their voices and perspectives. Often, feminist change-makers are marginalised or their voices are not given the platform they deserve. By actively amplifying their voices through social media, discussions, or other platforms, we help ensure that their messages reach a wider audience and have a greater impact. Listening to feminist change-makers validates their experiences and perspectives. It shows that their concerns are taken seriously and that there are people who support their cause. This validation can be empowering and encouraging for them to continue their work.

Biggest takeaway from this is using your social media and your own voice to amplify and spread awareness. Follow feminist activists, scholars and artists. Share their work or their messages. Participate in discussions. Also attend any events or workshops in your city. Sydney is very diverse and multicultural and has a lot of pop ups and shows that give marginalised people a place to vocalize and showcase their views.

At the core of it, change is crucial in everyday life. Speak out against sexism, misogyny, and discrimination whenever you encounter it—in your personal interactions, workplaces, communities, and online spaces. Be an active bystander and support those who are targeted.

JOIN US TO CONNECT IN PERSON

UNO STUDIOS and BABS are teaming up to bring a night to connect and hear from Sydney creative powerhouses at the Creative Odyssey Panel Discussion.

Join us IRL on March 27th, expect all killer/no filler snacks and wines from female lead wineries.

RSVP FOR FREE VIA HUMANITIX

BABS x UNO

First up in the Creative Odyssey series, we sit down with hospitality duo, Ellie Hayes O’Brien and Bec Shave of BABS to discuss the inspirations and challenges of building a female led hospitality business.

BABS POPS UP is more that just a recurring ‘pop-up’ restaurant event, BABS strives to champion the prominence of female-led kitchens and dining rooms with a distinct focus towards fostering community, collaboration and cordiality. After wrapping a successful 3-month pop up restaurant in Enmore, we take the time to explore the themes of International Women’s Day and discuss what it takes to make BABS what it is.

UNO STUDIOS and BABS are teaming up to bring a night to connect and hear from Sydney creative powerhouses at the Creative Odyssey Panel Discussion.

Join us IRL on March 27th, expect all killer/no filler snacks and wines from female lead wineries.

RSVP FOR FREE VIA HUMANITIX