Hello! My name is Iryna, and I am from Ukraine. I am a photographer, travel expert, professional journalist, and fossil hunter. The last ten years of my life have been a continuous adventure. I have visited more than 50 countries, most exotic, non-touristy or even dangerous for travelers. I met the dawn on Easter Island, swam through the mangroves of Bangladesh, crossed the Pamir Highway by car, ate pilaf in Afghanistan, and flew in hot air balloons over the temples of Myanmar. Then, on the night of February 24, 2022, I returned from Tanzania, where I conquered Kilimanjaro... and that was my last trip. A few hours after the plane landed in Kyiv, a full-scale war broke out in my country. Russia attacked Ukraine.
A year after the war started, I was also forced to move to the United States with my daughter and start my life from scratch. Luckily, I have a job I love! Oh, and of course a favourite hobby!
Here in California, I continue my photography work, focusing on nature photography.
I am also engaged in science outreach: I work at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, teach paleontology to children at USOC, and organize educational events for adults and kids. I strongly believe that general education, an understanding of natural processes, a love for the world around us, the ability to see beauty in the present, and to analyze the past are the qualities that can stop wars and make this world a better place!
If you are interested in collaboration, feel free to contact me via email or private messages in the "Contacts" section.