Creating soulful portraits in Derbyshire & Leicestershire for those whose strength and creativity deserve to be honoured.
Some stories unfold slowly, not in words, but in presence. This was one of those stories
We met on a cold, windswept January day. The light was soft, the air still biting. Her table was set with that beautiful kind of chaos only artists know—palettes scattered with stories, pages soaked in colour, and a pink glass of paint water catching the light like something sacred. But it wasn’t just the details that caught me. It was her presence. Calm. Grounded. Unshakably herself.
She is an artist in the truest sense—painting not with her hands, but with her mouth. Each piece is intentional. Each stroke a quiet act of resistance, of grace, of devotion. She creates delicate watercolours, storybook illustrations, and heartfelt custom cards, all echoing her voice in shades of gentleness and boldness alike.
She’s also a mother of three. And while motherhood flows through her life, it doesn’t define her art. Her creativity existed before the babies and will stretch long beyond them. That’s the beauty in watching her work—how she holds space for both the mother and the artist. For the woman who gives so much, and the woman who still keeps a part of herself untouched, sacred, and wildly hers.
This session was about honouring her as an artist. The way she moves, the way she creates, the way she lives.
A reminder that art doesn’t have to shout to be powerful. Sometimes it’s a whisper. And sometimes, that whisper is exactly what the world needs.
If you’re an artist—whether you’re painting, writing, raising little ones, or simply trying to find your voice—I hope you find a bit of yourself here too.
Moments by Simona
Alongside being a talented painter, Elina is also the artist behind my brand illustrations. Each one was sketched from real photographs of me with my girls, making them deeply personal and full of meaning. I gave her a simple brief, and she brought it to life with her signature softness and detail. The floral elements were added for a feminine, earthy touch—and the sweet peas? That was all her, chosen because my name begins with S. I love how raw and unfiltered these sketches feel, like an extension of the stories I try to capture with my camera. They’re honest, emotive, and a little bit magical—just like Elina’s work.
From the artist herself:
"For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved to draw. As a child, when I looked through my picture books, I dreamed that one day I would draw like that too. My grandfather and I used to draw together, and he would praise and encourage me, saying that I could do it too, even though my hands were weaker than other children's.
From time to time, I would draw something, and I got good grades in art at school, but I never really had the chance to take it more seriously.
I only started drawing more during the COVID pandemic. I was so anxious about what the future would bring, and to calm myself down, I began to draw. In doing so, I not only inspired and uplifted myself but others too.
Little by little, I also learned to draw with my mouth, and I truly appreciate this privilege—because what I can't do with my hands, I can do with my mouth.
This photo session made me look back at the work I've done over the past year, and I was really surprised by how many drawings there are. I felt very free with Simona, and she had so many different ideas. I would really love to do this again."
-Elina (Derbyshire)
I hope you feel a little inspired today — seeing how Elina paints, how she creates, how she shows up for her art. If she found a way, so can you. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start somewhere.
If you’d like to see more of her art, support her small business, or simply follow along with her work, you can find her here:
@elinaartstudio instagram
And if you're an artist, maker, or small brand with a story worth telling (and trust me — you are), I’d love to help you bring it to life through thoughtful, lifestyle photography.