PHOTOGRAPHER MARINA TERECHOV – REDEFINING REALITY

Some artists are born into their craft, molded by legacies of painters, sculptors, or photographers. Marina Terechov? She carved her own path—one that twists and bends reality itself. Originally from Crimea, Ukraine, she grew up in an ordinary household, far from the ateliers and art studios that typically shape a visionary. Instead, her early years were spent training as a professional athlete, pushing her body to its limits. But sometimes, reinvention isn’t a choice—it’s instinct.

When Marina relocated to Germany in 2017, she found herself drawn to a new form of expression: photography. What started as a curiosity became an obsession. Self-taught, relentless, and driven by an innate hunger to create, she officially stepped into the industry in 2019, crafting an aesthetic that blends surrealism, geometry, and raw human emotion. Her portraits and conceptual works don’t just capture faces—they challenge perception. They warp, distort, and elevate the body into something almost mythological, walking the tightrope between illusion and truth.

Her work isn’t just seen; it’s felt. It lingers in the mind like an unfinished dream, a cinematic freeze-frame of something just beyond reach. Showcased in exhibitions like Reveries in Mannheim and ImageNation Paris 2024, where her distinctive approach to portraiture has earned recognition. For Marina, the camera is more than a tool—it’s an extension of her curiosity, a means to explore identity, transformation, and the unspoken dialogue between humans and their environments.

This vision comes to life through the striking presence of model Karlin Meilgen, whose form becomes a canvas for Marina’s exploration of shape, space, and emotion. Together, they blur the lines between the tangible and the surreal, crafting imagery that lingers in the mind long after the shutter clicks.

IRK: Marina, how do you use your photography to explore and convey themes of gender fluidity?

MARINA TERECHOV: I use abstract and surreal elements to convey that boundaries, including those related to gender, are fluid and constantly evolving. Through my work, I aim to create a space where viewers can interpret identity and expression in their own unique way.

IRK: What personal experiences inspire gender-fluid themes?

MARINA TERECHOV: I grew up in a traditional, small town where topics like gender fluidity weren’t discussed, and I hadn’t really considered these questions before. It wasn’t until I moved to Germany that I started to think more deeply about gender and related topics. Meeting different people here gave me the chance to explore these ideas in a new way.

IRK: What draws you to work with vintage fashion in your shoots, and how do you feel it shapes the narrative of your images?

MARINA TERECHOV: Vintage fashion allows me to connect the past with the present, creating a sense of timelessness in my images. The textures, patterns, and details of vintage pieces add depth and character, helping shape a narrative that feels both nostalgic and fresh. It also allows me to explore contrasts—blending classic styles with modern ideas—shaping a narrative that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

IRK: Marina, your journey from sports to photography is unique. How did this shift influence your artistic style?

MARINA TERECHOV: My background in sports taught me discipline, focus, and a deep respect for those who dedicate their lives to movement. I feel a special connection with them because I understand the need for motion on a personal level. This influences my photography by shaping how I see the human body—its lines, energy, and ability to express emotion. Growing up in Ukraine without an artistic background, what first drew you to creative self-expression? I grew up in a beautiful small town by the sea, surrounded by mountains. From my window, I could watch the sunrise every day of the year, and I witnessed countless breathtaking mornings. Our town didn’t even have a cinema, but it had a library where I was a regular visitor. The beauty of the world around me, combined with the vivid imagery from books, sparked my creative imagination. For a long time, photography felt like a distant dream—something I longed for but thought was out of reach. Over time, that dream began to feel more possible, and eventually, it became my reality. In 2017, you moved to Germany.

IRK: How did that transition shape your approach to photography?

MARINA TERECHOV: Moving to Germany didn’t just change my approach to photography—it changed my life. It was after settling here that I decided to make photography my profession. Starting fresh in a new country with a new language felt like the perfect chance to try photography, something I had always wanted to do. I thought if it didn’t work out, I could always go back to my old profession. But I’m glad I took the risk—it turned out to be the right decision.

You frequently blur the line between reality and illusion in your art. What draws you to surrealism? I’m drawn to surrealism because it allows me to explore the unknown and create a world that’s both familiar and dreamlike. I love the sense of ambiguity and mystery, giving the viewer space for their own imagination. It’s important to me that each person can see their own story in the image. I also enjoy it when my work feels metaphorical, allowing deeper layers of meaning to emerge.

IRK: Many of your compositions incorporate geometry and minimalism. What role do these elements play in telling your story?

MARINA TERECHOV: Geometry and minimalism help me keep my images simple and focused. By removing extra details, I can guide the viewer’s attention to what really matters. These elements create balance and structure, making the emotions and ideas in my work stand out more clearly. The simplicity allows the viewer to connect with the story in a deeper way.

The human body is central to your work. How do you balance depicting its form with creating a surreal atmosphere? The human body is important in my work because it’s a strong way to show emotions and identity. I balance its form with surreal elements by mixing real and abstract parts. I focus on the body’s shapes, but sometimes I change or distort them to create a dreamlike feel. This keeps the figure familiar but adds a mysterious, otherworldly touch

IRK: Can you share a bit about your process for creating the mysterious atmospheres in your portraits?

MARINA TERECHOV: It’s different depending on the subject and the goals of the shoot. This can include playing with light and shadow, reflections, distortions, long exposure, or using special lenses. It’s often an intuitive process, where I let the mood of the moment guide me. Your work has been showcased in exhibitions like Reveries and ImageNation Paris. What have these experiences meant to you? Exhibiting my work was incredibly meaningful to me because the pieces chosen for these exhibitions were creative works. These photos resonate deeply with me and are significant on a personal level. Realizing that these images could also be interesting and important to others was a powerful discovery for me this year.

IRK: What message do you hope viewers take away from the emotions captured in your photography?

MARINA TERECHOV: I hope my photographs spark the viewer’s imagination and create a meaningful connection. In today’s fast-paced world, it feels like a success if my work holds someone’s attention for even a few seconds. But what truly makes me happy is when my images leave a lasting impression—an emotional aftertaste that lingers and stays with the viewer long after they’ve seen them.

Credits
Photographer, retoucher: Marina Terechov @terechov.photo
Model: Karlin Meilgen @karlin
MakeUp and Hair: Seda Jane @sedajanemakeupartist /
Clothing, Accessories: Sasas Vintage, @sasas_vintage

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