Published
“” The New York Times: “This Shaker-Inspired Office Embodies Work-Life Balance”
“Photography for Le Monde story on the rise of the progressive movement ahead of the November 3 elections.
I worked alongside reporter Jessica Gourdon as we joined a Democratic Socialists of America, Los Angeles canvassing event in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles ahead of the November 3 elections.”
“The New York Times: “Inside the Outrageous Collapse of a ‘Montessori Ponzi’”
I photographed a former teacher in Orange County, California on location for this fascinating read.”
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Online
In Print
Le Monde: “In Los Angeles, thousands of Americans are forced to live in their cars”
I joined Le Monde reporter Jessica Gourdon at two parks in Venice, California as we learned the stories of the people living in their vehicles outside these public spaces.”
“Civil Eats: “The Land Is the Leader, “ part of Civil Eats’ Farming 250 series highlighting diverse farms on the 250th anniversary of the United States.
This was an unforgettable experience photographing the founders and youth farmers of MAʻO Organic Farms on the island of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi. I arrived a little before sunrise in the rural location an hour from Honolulu. My Portuguese-speaking ride share driver hesitated to drop me off in such a rural location in the dark, but I feigned confidence and assured him in my nascent Spanish that I knew where I was going. The parking lot was already full of cars of the youth farmers mostly harvesting. The team welcomed me with and invited me to join the staff meeting that commences each day on the farm. We stood in a circle as the group changed in Native Hawaiian. Though I could not understand the words, the youth’s love and connection to the spirit of the land and each other transcended language. As the sun crested the mountain and the light turned from a diffuse grey-blue to a specular yellow, I followed several youth groups tending to crops as well as learning from the founders Kukui and Gary about the farm’s history, philosophy, and goals. Gary shared a bit about his past as a rugby player from New Zealand, while Kukui talked about land rematriation.”
“” The New Yorker: “The Doulas Who Help Us Die”
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New images of women hikers in the Redwoods in Humboldt County, California for the Sierra Club in collaboration with The Luupe.”
“” Civil Eats: “Get Your Hands in the Soil, Leave with Fresh Produce”
“The Fault Line News: “The Black Cowgirl of Agua Dulce”
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“Business Insider: “Fear, greed, and Claude: Meet the day traders vibe coding AI bots to beat the market”
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For Business Insider, I photographed Brendan Li, a former banker who runs an educational group for traders to vibe code their own AI tools. My assignment was to photograph him working/teaching out of his home office in Orange County, California. We met in his home, and he showed me his office: a minimal computer setup in a white room with very tall ceilings. The light was quite low and flat. I added strobe lighting mimicking ambient to brighten the space while preserving the soft feeling of the natural light. I also added negative fill to add a bit of dimension.
“Bloomberg Businessweek: What Trump Delivered for Amazon”
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I met with former Amazon subcontractor Johnathon Ervin outside the Amazon warehouse in Palmdale, California that his fleet of vehicles and drivers used to be based out of. We timed the portrait session with golden hour. The desert areas of Southern California are some of my favorite places to photograph because of their beautiful natural light! Johnathon brought an intensity that set the right emotional tone for the narrative of the story.
“” NPR: “For veterans, a place where peace can take root”
“” Business Insider: “A recipe for succession”
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Trust for Public Land: “Bountiful Beginnings”
“” The New York Times: “An Artist Devoted to the Origins of Paints”
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The New York Times: “The Haas Brothers’ Creative Creations Are on Tour”
“” The New York Times: To Afford a House in Los Angeles, They Had to Become Landlords
“” The Fault Line News: “She Got a Green Card. She’s Still Terrified”
“” The New York Times: “Dinner Is Being Recorded, Whether You Know It or Not”
“” Portrait of USC Online student for USC billboards in multiple locations in Los Angeles
“” The New York Times: “Rising Progressive Star Shakes Up Race for Los Angeles Mayor”
“” Small business owner portrait for new LegalZoom ad
“” The New York Times: “Freedom With a Side of Guilt: How Food Delivery Is Reshaping Mealtime”
“” Le Monde: “In Los Angeles, the specter of lingering pollution after major wildfires”
“” Le Monde: “In Los Angeles, the specter of lingering pollution after major wildfires”
“” The New York Times: “The New Billionaires of the A.I. Boom”
“” Earthjustice Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2025
“” The New York Times: “‘I Love It Here’: This Former Mortuary Is Taking New Residents”
“” Inc. Magazine: “How VMG Partners Helped a Husband-and-Wife Team Score an Exit to Unilever”
“The 19th News: “Nory and her mother were deported together. Then she was orphaned.”
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Bloomberg Businessweek: “Losing Hope in La-La Land.”
“” Boston University: “Directing Change”
“” The New York Times: “Homeownership: Not Enough Supply for Middle-Income Buyers”
“” ESPN: “After L.A. fires, a local run club helps pick up the pieces”
“” ESPN: “How baseball lifted Palisades Charter High after wildfires”
“Los Angeles Times: “Don’t call it Pilates”
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“UCLA Magazine: “Are We Already Doomed by Climate Change?”
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“Le Monde: “The endless battles of Japanese #MeToo trailblazer Shiori Ito”
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It was an inspiration to photograph filmmaker and feminist activist Shiori Ito during her visit to Los Angeles for the Oscars. Her documentary Black Box Diaries is nominated for Best Documentary Feature.
“The New York Times: “After the Fires, Los Angeles Becomes Even Tougher for New Buyers”
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For this story, I accompanied reporter Amancai Biraben to open houses throughout Los Angeles and photographed prospective first time homebuyers, realtors, and mortgage professionals.
“NBC News story “What California families saved before wildfires destroyed their homes”
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The California fire survivors I met working on this story were homeowners and renters, both longtime and recent, from Altadena and Pacific Palisades. They all thought they would have a home to return to when they took the few belongings they could and ran for their lives on Tuesday, January 7. This was one the hardest and yet most meaningful stories I’ve ever had the privilege of working on.
“The New York Times: “Rescuing Pongo, Pearl, Bandit, Tiger and Zipper”
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For this heartwarming story, I photographed fish whisperer Jose Hernandez and five koi fish. I promise this riveting read that will uplift your spirits!
“The New York Times: “As Hollywood Struggles, the Region’s Economy Feels the Pain”
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This assignment that called for images with a sense of place and portraits, I photographed Hollywood industry scene setters and workers affected by the industry’s slowdown.
“Business Insider: “Carbon-removal tech startups like Equatic and Climeworks look to the future of sustainability”
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For this climate story, I photographed the scientists working at carbon removal tech startup Equatic at the Port of Los Angeles.
“The 19th News: “Inflation changed these women’s lives. Now, they will vote.”
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It was an honor to spend a day with Ashley Trent, a mother of six, in Antelope Valley, California for this story about the impact of inflation on women and their families. I can’t thank Ashley Trent and her family enough for the trust.
“Los Angeles Times: “What 22 Dodger fans wore for the World Series”
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Photographing Dodgers fan fashion for Los Angeles Times was a total sensory overload, taking in Dodgers fans’ exuberance outside Dodgers Stadium at the start of the first World Series game.
“CalMatters: “California pledged $500 million to help tenants preserve affordable housing. They didn’t get a dime.”
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I photographed Silver Lake, Los Angeles couple Luke and Osbey Johnson on the verge of losing their affordable home where they’d lived for decades.
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Inc. Magazine: Is DEI Dead or Does It Just Need to Evolve? Praxis Labs Has an Answer”
I was commissioned to create double portraits of cofounders Elise Smith and Heather Shen of AI education platform Praxis Labs for Inc. Magazine.
“Los Angeles Times: “‘First impressions are everything’: What 9 teens wore on the first day of school in L.A.”
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On the first day of the new school year at Venice High, I photographed 9 teens and the outfits they wore to re-introduce themselves to their school community as their enter a new grade level.
“The New York Times Travel: “To Discover L.A.’s Neighborhoods, Let the Trees Be Your Guide”
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For this special Travel story, I got to be a tourist in my own city for a couple of days and explore three L.A. neighborhoods – Laurel Canyon, Beverly Hills, and Hancock Park – through their trees.
“The New York Times: “When Is a Tiny House Too Small to Be a Home?”
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For this piece exploring tiny home villages as one solution to homelessness, I photographed Bradford Village tiny homes community which provides housing to 150 formerly unhoused residents in San Fernando Valley, California. I also made portraits of two of its residents.
“Bloomberg Businessweek: “At SpaceX, Elon Musk’s Own Brand of Cancel Culture Is Thriving”
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Portrait of Tom Moline, former SpaceX Employee for Bloomberg Businessweek.
“The 19th News: “70 years later, schools — and moms — are still fighting segregation”
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I was lucky to be able to contribute photography to this important story on the lasting legacy of school segregation and white flight in Pasadena Unified School District in the L.A. area.
“James Beard Media Award Nomination
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Business Insider “Long-Lived Loma Linda” story nominated for James Beard Awards in the Health and Wellness category.
This award recognizes excellence in food- and/or drink-related health and wellness coverage. Entries explore a variety of topics that may include (but are not limited to) addiction, aging, chronic disease, diet, mental health, mind-body connection, nutrition, and reproductive health.
“”Feast For My Grandma’s 90th Birthday In Izium, Ukraine” wins Lucie Heritage Awards in Still Life Category
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“Feast For My Grandma’s 90th Birthday In Izium, Ukraine” from my long term personal project Where they Wait for Me about my family in Ukraine won the Still Life category of Lucie Heritage Awards. A huge thank you to the jury!
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ArtCenter College of Design ON MagazineIN PRACTICE: STELLA KALININA
Photography Alum Showcases The ‘softer Parts’ Of The Ukrainian Refugee Experience”””
My work with Ukrainian refugees in L.A. for The Guardian is featured in the latest issue of my alma mater ArtCenter College of Design’s alumni magazine ArtCenter ON.
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Portrait of Ellen-Goldsmith-Vein for Inc. Magazine”
Portrait of Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Founder/CEO of Gotham Group, for the April issue of Inc. Magazine celebrating female founders.
“Portrait of activist Blair Imani chosen for AI-AP 40.
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Portrait of activist Blair Imani created for The 19th News story “‘They came for blood’: Protesters and witnesses win settlement 7 years after violent clash with police” was chosen for AI-AP 40. A big thank you to the jury!
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Los Angeles Times: “Puppetry is booming in L.A. Meet the new generation of performers making it cool again”A fun and quirky story about L.A. Guilt of Puppetry published in Los Angeles Times.
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The Guardian: “‘More good days than bad’: the Ukrainian refugees rebuilding their lives in California”This labor of love, very close to my heart, was two years in the making. I collaborated closely with photo editor Gail Fletcher to tell the story of six Ukrainian refugees families who settled in Los Angeles. In addition to photography, I was responsible for reporting, translation, and writing. Editor Charlotte Simmonds edited the piece.
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NPR: “First there were AI chatbots. Now AI assistants can order Ubers and book vacations”New photography for NPR story about Rabbit R1 personal AI assistant gadget.
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The New Yorker: “The California Town Owned by a New York Investment Firm”New photography for The New Yorker about former logging town Scotia, CA in Humboldt County in Northern California.
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The Guardian: “A portrait of America: the best Guardian US photos of 2023”One of the photographs from my upcoming story on Ukrainian refugees in Los Angeles for The Guardian was featured in “A portrait of America: the best Guardian US photos of 2023.”
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Bloomberg Businessweek: “What It’s Like Working in a Building Shaped Like a Hot Dog”New photography for Bloomberg Businessweek featuring three small business owners working out of unique buildings designed to look like what they sell in “mimetic” architectural style popularized since the 1920s to attract motorists. This assignment took me Tail ‘o the Pup and Idle Hour restaurants in Los Angeles, the Big Shoe repair shop in Bakersfield, CA and Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle in Spokane, Washington.
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Business Insider: “Long-Lived Loma Linda”For this feature story, I photographed seniors in Loma Linda, CA, the only Blue Zone or longevity hotspot in the United States.
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“The New York Times “Southern California Beyond the Freeway”
I photographed a 100-mile Southern California roadtrip for The New York Times on the back roads between Los Angeles and Los Olivos, a route that meanders through mountains, canyons and star-studded enclaves.
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“Legal Zoom Image Library ”
I created an image library for LegalZoom featuring its real small business customers for the company’s ad campaign and rebrand, working alongside a motion campaign.
Business Insider: “She fled Ukraine and found belonging with her Russian boxing coach in America”“” The 19th News: “Latina child care providers see America headed for a crisis”
“” The New York Times: “How a New City Council Map of L.A. Turned Into a Political Brawl “
“I photographed a gathering of Rivian electric vehicle owners and fans with the automotive brand’s Chief Design Officer focused on future vehicle design.
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Two of my images from The New Yorker story “Can Sustainable Suburbs Save California?” have been SELECTED winners of AI-AP Photography 39 annual award book
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“” High Country News: “How California’s emergency plans fail disabled communities”
“The Verge: “Working Through It”
Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine was home to nearly 300,000 tech workers, with many employed by American companies. In a war, work-life balance takes on a new meaning.
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“” NPR: “‘Flood of evictions’ looms in Los Angeles as pandemic tenant protections expire”
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High Country News: portrait of artist Kim Stringfellow
“Young Farmers Coalition publishes National Young Farmer Survey with my images on the cover and within the report.
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The 19th News: “More than a ‘Weinstein survivor’: Women continue to reclaim their voices five years after #MeToo”“
Smithsonian Magazine: “Not Far from Kyiv”I photographed and interviewed Ukrainian and Russian immigrants at home in the Los Angeles area reflecting on the war in Ukraine. I was responsible for photography, interviews, and translation.
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The New Yorker: Can Sustainable Suburbs Save Southern California?”
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Marie Claire Korea: “Where They Wait for Me”My long term personal project about my family in Ukraine was published in the April 2022 issue of Marie Claire Korea along with an interview.
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Two images from my project Where They Wait for me have been SELECTED winners of AI-AP Photography 38 annual award book.
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KCET / PBS SoCal: “Ukrainian and Russian Immigrants Reflect on the War”I photographed and interviewed Ukrainian and Russian immigrants at home in the Los Angeles area reflecting on the war in Ukraine. I was responsible for photography, interviews, and translation.
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ArtCenter College of Design DOT Magazine : “Through Heartfelt Words And Photos, Alum Stella Kalinina Reflects On Her Ancestral Home In Ukraine”My alma mater ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California profiled my long term personal project Where They Wait for Me about my family in Ukraine and the project’s recent feature in The Washington Post.
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The Washington Post: “A photographer reflects on her ancestral home in Izium, Ukraine”On the eve of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, The Washington Post published my long term personal project about my family in Ukraine alongside my writing.
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The New York Times: “In Los Angeles, Glimpses of an Oasis With Deep Immigrant Roots”My personal project about one of the oldest and largest community gardens in Los Angeles was published in The New York Times. I was responsible for photographs, interviews, and writing.
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“Electric truck company Rivian opened its flagship community hub space in Venice, CA. I photographed the opening weekend creating a library of images for the company.
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