The Colors I Became

This series of self-portraits traces my journey of forced immigration from Kyiv to the United States after the outbreak of war. At almost forty, I left behind my country, my marriage, and the life I had built, arriving in a new land as a single mother with no clear path forward. The first year was consumed by grief and disorientation. I lived on my sister’s couch, unable to gather strength, often wearing the same clothes for weeks. My camera became the only space where I could meet myself honestly. These portraits bear witness to that fragile beginning — an identity suspended between past and future, absence and becoming. Over time, photography guided me toward acceptance and renewal. Each image documents not only my inner state but also the gradual shift from invisibility to visibility, from muted tones to bright colors, from paralysis to purpose. Today, I stand as a portrait photographer rooted in my new community. My work, once marked by loss, now embraces vivid colors and life-affirming energy. This series is a testimony to resilience: the ability to begin again, to transform grief into strength, and to rediscover purpose through art.