Meet the Photographer: Anna Leshchinskaya from Fotografika

The following interview was placed in the April 2010 edition of the Penelope Red newsletter. I thought it would be nice to share it with you all here as well. If you would like to receive the Penelope Red newsletter, please email me at: designer@penelopered.com.au



Anna Leshchinskaya, from Fotografika is the very talented photographer who created the images for “The Venus, Penelope and Jane Collection”, and I wanted to introduce you all to her, via a mini interview. All the images below and more can be viewed on the Fotografika website: http://www.fotografika.com.au/



Tell us a little about your background.

I was born in Siberia and worked as a lawyer in Moscow before my husband and I moved to Sydney two years ago. Despite this fact, I've always had my creative self, competing with the logical side; when I was younger I danced ballet for 7 years and studied art. When I quit law a few years ago, I went back to fine art studies and drawing, and the latter gives me complete enjoyment.

Why did you decide to study photography and start your business?

Photography, travel photography in particular, has always been a hobby. After my daughter was born, she became my No 1 model, and gradually I started shooting more people. I believe that people are the most powerful subject for an artist, because it keeps us wondering what lies behind their expression.

I realised that doing photography professionally would be a perfect career change. My time is now evenly divided between the family and doing what I love. In fact, photography is closer to my drawing hobby than we may think, meaning literally "painting with the light".





What are you working on now?

Now that I have my absolute passion enclosed in documenting a person’s life and real emotions; I photograph kids and families, private and corporate events, graduation and weddings.


Another exciting project that I am currently working on is the utterly seductive Venus, Penelope and Jane Collection for PenelopeRED. Fashion photography is very challenging because it requires a lot more from the photographer than just capturing the moment. It also requires a theatrical vision of the whole scene and certain skills of a sculptor to work with a model. This is why I am really looking forward to starting a fashion photography course with one of Sydney’s famous photographers, Hamish Ta-me.

What are your plans for the future?

I am fascinated by the documentary approach in photography and I am planning to study and work more in environmental portraiture and photojournalism.



You may have a special event coming up, where you may need a photographer. You can contact Anna on the following:

Website: http://www.fotografika.com.au/
Email: enquiries@fotografika.com.au
Phone: 0420 99 75 76

Take a look at more of Anna's work on the Penelope Red website:
The Red Silk Road Collection
The Red Look Collection

Follow me on twitter or facebook for more updates of my latest designs and finds!

Crystal's Wedding Dress: Part 1

My best friend, Crystal, is getting married! They have chosen to elope to Scotland in December, and have a civil ceremony there, then enjoy a honeymoon travelling throughout Europe- how exciting!

I have been asked to create the wedding dress- quite excited!

To see the completed designs, and photos from the wedding day take a look at Crystals Wedding Dress: Part 2

The design brief:

Classic Audrey-inspired style, with an understated elegance. A dress that she can wear with ballet flats, and still be sophisticated. It must include the Scottish Tartan of her fiancé's clan, but not clash with the elegant look. It also needs to be warm; but since we are limited to virtually no choice of winter fabrics here at the moment, we had to make do with whatever fabric we could find - they plan to elope in December! We are using silk dupion for the dress, and a wool boucle for the coat.

This is what I came up with...


I noticed that the tartan ribbon Crystal bought was a synthetic fibre, and it would pleat easily. Pleating the ribbon would also mean that it would sit around curved lines easier, than if I left it straight.



I decided to cut the pleated ribbon in half, and attach it around the sweetheart neckline, and around the pointed sleeves.




I made the sleeves with a point as it mirrors the sweetheart neckline curves.




To help create extra warmth in the dress, I have placed a cotton/silk interlining throughout the entire dress, as well as interfacing where needed. This is all encased in a beautiful silk lining. An invisible zip fastens at the back.




The coat:

Crystal's engagement ring features a blue sapphire in the centre, and the tartan also features a Navy blue. As we had very limited fabric in the wool bouclé, we needed to include other fabrics to create this coat; we chose a Navy wool for the contrasting panels at the shoulders and for the hood, and a faux fur was used at the sleeve cuffs and hood edging.


The Navy panels at the shoulders will draw the eye up to the shoulders, rather than the hips; a Navy blue belt will be worn with the coat to draw in the waist. Navy blue buttons will be added to the centre front.


The faux fur adds drama and glamour- I can just imagine it once she has her make-up and everything is finished! I can't wait to see photos!



We will also be shortening the coat. I can't wait to see the finished product!!



To see the completed designs, and photos from the wedding day take a look at Crystals Wedding Dress: Part 2

Follow me on twitter or facebook for more updates of my latest designs and finds!

Meet the Photographer: Milena from I Love Wednesdays

One of the positives of working in fashion, is that you get to meet an array of talented people often. Their creativity astounds me every time, and Milena, from I Love Wednesdays is no exception to this rule.

I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Milena for various portfolio's, and I have added a few photos below to show off some of her work.


Featured in the above photo is the Penelope Red Cherry Bolero, and it will be available on Etsy soon.

Model: Olga.
Make Up: Nat Biller


Featured in the above photo is the Penelope Red Barcelona Corset and Navy Organza Squiggle Skirt.



Featured in the above photo is the Penelope Red Scribble Winter Dress


Featured in the above photo is the Penelope Red Be My Baby Pink Dress
Model: Rachelle
Make Up: Nat Biller


Featured in the above photo is the Penelope Red Black Bow Tie Top, and Monet Flared Pants.
Model: Amy
Make Up: Nat Biller



Featured in the above photo is the Penelope Red Orange Floral Corset Dress

Milena is so easy to work with, hard working, and her photos truly do speak a thousand words! Be sure to take a look at her website for more inspiring photos.

Milena is currently interested in also developing her Bridal portfolio, among other projects.
Contact Milena here.

Follow me on twitter or facebook for more updates of my latest designs and finds!

How-To Frame Your Photos Uniquely Part II

As promised in part 1, these are the steps for the wedding "artworks":

1: Collect all the materials you will need (clean chopping board, metal ruler, long plastic ruler, pencil, blade, your papers). I used frames from Ikea for this project. The Ribba series is recommended.

2. You need to first decide on what papers you will use. I used the rust/red colour, and the gold, because I wanted to place these framed photos in our bedroom, and the colour scheme happens to be Rust/red, gold, white and black. I deliberately used a photo that was smaller than the mount size, so I can have a large double mount of gold. I bought my papers from Pepe's Paperie.

3.Measure the photo. Minus approx 1cm from the width, and 1cm from the height, then halve each of these measurements. Square up on the back of your A4 piece of board (I used the gold cardboard for this), these measurements (starting from the outside). Check to make sure your photo sits approx 5mm outside of each of these lines.

4.Using your metal ruler, blade, and clean chopping board, cut along the line, to create a window for the photo to sit in.

5.Use sticky tape to tape the photo face-down to the back of the window mount. Sticky tape is best, as it allows you to undo it, and reapply if necessary.

6.Check to make sure the photo is sitting square to the mount.


7. Using the mount, draw the dimensions of the window size for the large mount, onto your piece of paper. (In my example, this is the rust coloured paper)

8. Cut this paper out, and cut out the window.

9.I decided that the mount looked best, with a highlight of black. The best way to do this is get a wide pen, and very carefully mark along the diagonal edge. (see photo)


10. Glue your pretty paper, to the large window mount. Then tape the small window mount, face-down to the large window mount. Check that it has been lined up square.


11. I decided to decorate the corners with a little gold detailing, but this is entirely optional.

12. Assemble the frame as normal, and hang it proudly!