Photoshoots in Moscow and Israel 2026 | Photographer Yana Naidich | What’s the Difference?

Photo Sessions in Moscow and Israel: Different Habits, Genuine Emotions

Moscow and Israel offer two different settings for photography. And it is not just about architecture, weather, or scenery. As a photographer, I am interested in how people feel when they arrive for a session, what they want to capture, and which photographs they ultimately choose.

In my experience, clients in Moscow more often come to me for individual photo sessions, while in Israel, family sessions are more common. This is not a fixed rule: I photograph individuals, couples, and families in both places. But this difference reflects two approaches to photography: telling your own story or preserving the connections you share with your loved ones.

Moscow: Time for Yourself

An individual photo session is a chance to turn your attention to yourself for a few hours. Not to work, everyday tasks, or other people’s expectations, but to how you feel right now and how you would like to see yourself.

This kind of session leaves more room to experiment. We can create a striking look, choose a minimalist studio, take a quiet portrait by a window, or head out for a walk around the city. You can be serious, gentle, or confident, without trying to fit every side of yourself into one familiar image.

For me, it is not simply about finding a flattering pose. I want to understand what a person wants to express about themselves through their photographs. Sometimes it is about a new chapter in life. Sometimes it is about a professional image. And sometimes no special occasion is needed: you simply want photographs in which you like what you see.

At the same time, a thoughtfully planned session does not have to feel staged. Even when we discuss clothing, lighting, and mood beforehand, there is still room for movement, laughter, and unexpected moments.

Israel: A Story About Loved Ones

In Israel, family stories feature more often in my work. Here, the focus shifts: it is not only about each person individually, but also about what happens between them.

The way a child hugs their mother. The way parents exchange a glance. The way the whole family laughs at something happening outside the frame. In these photographs, the mood often grows naturally out of their interactions.

That is why I do not want to turn a family session into an endless series of “stand up straight and look at the camera.” A portrait of everyone together matters too, but it does not have to be the only result. I want to capture the small gestures, the hugs, and the movement—the things that make a family recognise themselves in the photographs.

For me, the purpose of this kind of session is not to portray a perfect family, but to tell the story of real people and the closeness they share. It is not about how you are “supposed” to look together, but about how you actually live, laugh, and connect with one another.

What Stays the Same

Whether a session takes place in Moscow or Israel, I do not want to fit anyone into a preconceived idea of how people are expected to be photographed there.

If you are drawn to a minimalist aesthetic, there is no need to include everything around you in the frame. If you want natural family photographs, there is no need to expect a perfect pose from everyone. And if you dream of a carefully composed portrait, it can still feel genuine.

I enjoy photographing people both on their own and alongside those they love. These are different stories, but in each one, I want to preserve what matters most: not just a beautiful image, but the feeling of “this is truly me” or “this is truly us.”