Russian photographer Kristina Makeeva has captivated millions of viewers worldwide by transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary fairy tale-inspired imagery. Her distinctive approach blends fantasy with reality, creating a visual narrative that invites audiences into a world of wonder and enchantment. With 1.3 million Instagram followers and 1.6 million on TikTok, Makeeva's work has become a viral sensation, proving that magical storytelling through photography resonates across cultures.

Makeeva's journey into photography began from what she describes as her heightened sensitivity to the world around her. "I guess it all started with the fact that I was born a pretty sensitive person. A lot of things were loud to me, smelled too strong or were ugly," Makeeva explains. As a child living in what she calls an "ugly city" near Moscow, she discovered that photography offered an escape route to create the ideal, bright, and beautiful world she yearned for.

Her artistic development started early, with digital experimentation playing a crucial role in shaping her vision. At 14, she began learning Photoshop, creating fantastical collages from scanned photographs. By 16, she had acquired a video camera capable of taking still frames with a resolution of only 640×480 pixels, which was enough to continue her creative pursuits. "Then they bought me my first camera, and since then I have never parted with cameras. As well as with Photoshop. I have been shooting for almost 22 years, and I have known Photoshop for 24 years," she reflects.

At the heart of Makeeva's work lies her lifelong project "Simple Magical Things," which celebrates beauty found in both intimate everyday details and grand, sweeping landscapes. The series encompasses everything from a simple drop of dew to majestic scenes of penguins in Antarctica. People who are fully immersed in their passions particularly inspire her work. "It is these people who are able to give creative energy and a spark," the artist explains.

Makeeva maintains a deliberate approach to her craft, drawing firm boundaries when it comes to generative AI technology. She prefers creating collages from her own images or using forced perspective techniques rather than relying on artificial intelligence. Most of her images are captured as single frames whenever possible, reflecting her commitment to authentic, human-driven artistry. This dedication to traditional photographic methods gives her work its distinctive emotional depth and originality.

In discussing her creative process, Makeeva emphasizes the importance of meticulous attention to detail. "First of all, for me, God is in the details. A good photograph should not be sloppy, all elements should be worked out, as close to the real world as possible, without losing their magic," she explains. After 22 years of experience, composition and lighting have become automatic for her, allowing her to focus on capturing the essence of each moment.

Her workflow demonstrates remarkable flexibility despite careful planning. Ideas often emerge from locations that resonate with her emotionally or from feelings she wishes to convey visually. This involves extensive preparation including scouting locations, assembling teams, casting models, and selecting appropriate outfits. However, she embraces the unpredictable nature of photography shoots. "All shoots never go according to plan. But it is this suddenness of everything that inspires me most of all," Makeeva notes.

Fairy tales and folklore heavily influence Makeeva's artistic vision, drawing from her childhood exposure to Russian folklore, fantasy novels, and later Japanese anime. As her career progressed and she began traveling internationally, cultural influences from around the world began weaving into her work, creating a global tapestry of magical imagery. Despite these diverse influences, her core message remains consistent: "We want to show that everyone is surrounded by the amount of magic they are able to see."

The technical aspects of Makeeva's work require sophisticated equipment to bring her visions to life. Her kit includes professional cameras, specialty lenses ranging from 8mm to 400mm, drones, and underwater housings, providing flexibility for virtually any shooting environment. She particularly values lenses that create beautiful bokeh effects, such as the Canon 50mm f/0.95 Dream Lens. "Beautiful bokeh inspires you to shoot, it is like art itself and blurs everything imperfect in the background," she explains.

Social media has provided an unexpected platform for Makeeva's work to reach global audiences. Her photographs, characterized by dreamlike colors, fluttering fabrics, and surreal landscapes, translate beautifully to small screens where every scroll can pause at a moment of visual wonder. The response has been overwhelming, with images traveling from Baikal's icy expanses to Socotra's striking dunes, earning thousands of likes, shares, and comments.

The personal impact of her work on viewers particularly moves Makeeva. "Sometimes I receive messages saying my photo helped someone cope with sadness, or made a moment of their day a little lighter. That is the part of photography that truly amazes me—its ability to travel and touch lives beyond the frame," she shares. For her, social media serves not just as an exposure platform but as a space for meaningful connection and dialogue.

Among her extensive portfolio, Makeeva particularly treasures her work from locations like Lake Baikal and Socotra Island. She describes Socotra as especially transformative, with its surreal landscapes and starlit skies creating a series that changed her own perspective. Her commitment to originality sets her apart from what she calls "indifferent art" – the abundance of bright but emotionless photos without soul or original ideas that flood social media platforms.

Looking toward the future, Makeeva has set her sights beyond earthbound photography entirely. After years of documenting natural wonders on this planet, she now dreams of traveling to space to photograph the cosmos firsthand. Having already spent time at Russia's cosmonaut training center and Mission Control, she hopes to experience the complete astronaut journey herself. "My goal at the moment is space. I really want to go and feel the entire path that astronauts go through," she explains, embodying her philosophy that "otherwise, what's the point if you don't try? It's boring."