I offer individual mentorship and project consultations for photographers, artists, and researchers working with documentary narratives and long-term storytelling.
I’m drawn to different visual stories — small and large — and to how photography can hold the complexity and tenderness of human experience.
I work with those who want to deepen their projects, clarify their visual language, understand their intentions, and move their work forward in a meaningful, responsible way.
What I Can Help With
• Developing or refining a documentary or long-term project
• Building a narrative structure and conceptual foundation
• Editing and sequencing for exhibitions, books, films, and publications
• Ethical approaches to working with people and communities
• Visual research methods and project development
• Clarifying themes, intentions, artistic position
• Portfolio review and professional direction
• Preparing artist statements, project texts, applications, and presentations
•Structuring your creative workflow in a stable, manageable, and stress-reduced way
•Supporting a project from early idea to public outcome
• Holding a supportive space to reflect on your creative process and challenges
Formats
Mentorship
A long-term, individual process for those seeking depth, support, and continuity. We can move step by step and develop your project together — from the first idea to its final form. Or, if you prefer a lighter structure, I can simply stay in contact with you over a period of time, offering steady support, reflection, and guidance whenever you need it (3-6 months)
Project Consultation
A single or occasional session focused on your immediate needs:
project development, brainstorming new ideas, conceptual clarity, editing and sequencing, portfolio review, production questions, or preparation for submissions and so on (1-3 hours)
How I Work
My approach is sensitive, attentive, and collaborative.
I care about ethics, precision, and the emotional dimension of documentary storytelling. Each project has its own rhythm — my role is to help you hear it, articulate it, and bring it forward without losing yourself in the process. Sessions are available in English and Russian.
Contact
If this resonates with you, I’ll be happy to hear from you!
You can reach me at gelman@viiphoto.com
Fees for an initial consultation begin at 100€ per hour