#MomCrush Monday: Meet Evgenia Ribinik, Owner of Evgenia Ribinik Studios 

1.) You are a mother of two, a lover of photography, and a business owner. How do you manage to juggle it all and also, find time for yourself?

I think it’s important to have priorities!  My priority is my family and my business.  Because  it is my own business, I am in charge of my schedule so I try to plan my week/month so I have enough time for getting my work done, spending time with my girls and my husband and also having a day when I can meet my girlfriends for dinner/drinks.  I also love to watch movies/series when I work later at night when kids are asleep.  Watching some amazing series while doing my photo edits is my “me” time 🙂

2. ) YOU ARE THE OWNER OF EVGENIA RIBINIK STUDIOS WHERE YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS FEEL: “CELEBRATED, EMPOWERED, COMFORTABLE IN THEIR SKIN.” WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU? WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO OPEN YOUR OWN STUDIO?

I’ve found that society often tells us women that we can’t do something, or that we may not be good enough to accomplish our dreams. Many of us are also made to feel like we must look a certain way to be beautiful. The truth is that no one has the power to define us except for ourselves. My goal as a boudoir photographer has always been to show women the value they hold in society and teach them how to love themselves unconditionally. I’ve been in front of the camera myself, and it’s amazing how taking boudoir photos helps you remember who you truly are. It’s an empowering experience that makes you feel beautiful and confident in your own skin. The session isn’t about sex appeal or objectification; it’s about self-acceptance and celebrating your beauty without shame. I’ve had so many women say they felt empowered after their session with me because it was a way to reclaim themselves. Boudoir is an opportunity for them to take control of how they want to be seen – as strong, proud, and powerful women.

A lesson I’ve personally learned from boudoir is to have the courage to go for my dreams, even if it’s scary at first. Scared was exactly how I felt when I first decided to open my own studio in Brooklyn. But taking the chance was the BEST decision I’ve ever made. To be honest, I always said I would never open my own boudoir studio! I truly loved the challenges of shooting in different spaces and adjusting to the surroundings and light. I did my first boudoir session for a bride while on a shoot with my husband at Julian Ribinik Wedding Photography. From that moment, I knew I needed to follow my passion. But unfortunately, it’s easy to think you’re not good enough or worthy enough to go further. Now I know: Those are comfortable excuses to make so you don’t need to push yourself. I gave myself excuses like this for some time. In fact, I only shot boudoir ad hoc when our wedding clients wanted to have something special for their significant others. And then one day, my husband said, “You’re really good at what you do… why don’t you pursue it?” My husband believed in me more than I believed in myself! How crazy is that? So after many sleepless nights wondering if I could really do it, I decided to try. Long story short, I opened my own very successful studio! The moral of my story is: Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith, walk on the edge, or lose sleep over the things you love. Follow your dreams and never, ever stop believing in yourself!

3.) You recently began working with women who were diagnosed – or completed breast cancer treatment – so they can memorialize their bodies before and/or after surgery. This is AMAZING, by the way! I can imagine the stories they’ve shared with you. What life lessons can you share with our readers that you’ve learned from these incredibly strong women? 

I have had a few clients who reached out to me after learning that they had breast cancer and wanted to capture themselves and remember how they looked before they underwent body/health changes.  Despite the tragic reason for doing a boudoir shoot, they all said how amazing the session made them feel and how the empowerment gave them strength to go through the next chapter of their lives.  Here is what one of my clients wrote after having a photo session with me:  “Evgenia is a miracle worker!  I hired her for a pre-mastectomy photo shoot, so I could remember my body when it was still fully intact.  She not only made me incredibly comfortable, putting me at ease in front of the camera, but she also turned this girl into a golden era screen siren!  I could not be more thankful to her for capturing me in the way I always wish I looked.  I imagine I will return to her again in the future!”

4.) Through your studio work, you must meet so many people, so many walks of life. What tips can you share with our readers about learning to LOVE themselves in every sense of the word?

In my work as a photographer, I’ve found that many women have become so accustomed to negative thoughts. They worry about how they’ll look in photos and if they’re too old or not in shape enough for a boudoir shoot. When we focus so hard on thoughts like these, it becomes increasingly difficult to speak to ourselves with kindness. If you struggle with self-worth, it can affect your social life, relationships, career, health, and relationship with yourself. This is why it’s so essential to develop a healthy relationship with yourself and your body. As you work towards genuinely loving yourself, you’ll realize that you’ve been beautiful all along. I always encourage my clients to focus on all the things that make them feel beautiful inside and out. I also remind them that they shouldn’t compare themselves to others. After all, every woman has her own insecurities. Someone you think is the very vision of beauty may not see what you see when she looks at herself in the mirror. We each have our own struggles, so in order to support each other, we should all pay someone a genuine compliment each day. We’re all fighting our own battles, and these little moments of support can make a world of difference in someone’s day! The more genuine kindness that you spread, the better YOU will feel.

5.) What is your favorite song lyric? Why?

I don’t really have “one” but truly enjoy music by Adele, Imagine Dragons, Coldplay and Muse!