When Galina Semenova moved from Russia to the United States 16 years ago, spending the last 12 in San Diego, she never imagined her camera would become a tool for healing.
Today, the fine art portrait photographer uses what she calls “visual medicine” to help breast cancer survivors reclaim their sense of beauty and power through her nonprofit, Womanity Portrait Foundation.
Semenova’s journey to this calling unfolded gradually. After studying at the Moscow Academy of Photography, she dedicated years to capturing landscapes and events, seeking her artistic voice.
“I was searching for a subject that would be very inspiring, motivating to me,” she said. The breakthrough came in 2018 when a friend asked her to photograph a calendar project.
“While I was photographing her, I realized this is the missing part. Finally, I found my subject.”
Semenova’s journey to this calling unfolded gradually. After studying at the Moscow Academy of Photography, she dedicated years to capturing landscapes and events, seeking her artistic voice.
“I was searching for a subject that would be very inspiring, motivating to me,” she said. The breakthrough came in 2018 when a friend asked her to photograph a calendar project.
“While I was photographing her, I realized this is the missing part. Finally, I found my subject.”
“I see how every day these survivors choose to keep going, to keep fighting, to keep having a positive attitude and faith that everything’s going to be okay. Even though it’s scary, there is no promise, but yet they have hope.”
“We learn through stories and we find hope through other people’s experiences and examples,” Semenova said, emphasizing the importance of holding space for women to see themselves with new eyes.
Her approach serves to honor her subjects and to reach others who may be struggling, asking herself, “How can I create a spark that will reignite the spirit of the fighter?”
As the Womanity Portrait Foundation grows, Semenova envisions taking her work global, documenting breast cancer experiences across different countries and cultures.
Her ultimate goal remains constant: to empower women through visual storytelling by documenting the multifaceted challenges they face.
“Our difficulties look different, for some it’s health, for others it’s something else,” Semenova said. “Let’s celebrate the victories we have every day just being here. Keep moving forward and don’t give up.”
To support the Womanity Portrait Foundation, go to www.womanityportrait.org.
Barbara Jacoby is an award winning blogger that has contributed her writings to multiple online publications that have touched readers worldwide.