Self-proclaimed “ art-addict ” photographer , Ksenia Dolgorukova , immerses her fashion models in woodland whimsies and playful floral frolicking , revealing her deep connection with the natural world .
With early memories of visiting her dacha ( country cottage ), like many city dwellers in Russia , Dolgorukova ’ s family would find reprieve in their dacha on a regular basis , especially in the warmer seasons :
“ When I was a little girl , I stayed in the village with my grandmother in Siberia . Early in the morning , I would wake up to freshly baked bread . I would look out the window and see a shepherd driving a herd of cows . The most beautiful cow was ours ; she was crystal white and big . After breakfast , I would go with my cousins to the forest and we would collect wild berries and mushrooms . Later , we would go fishing , flanked by countless cats . Village cats would
Dolgorukova shoots with Nikon D800 and D90 Lenses : Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f / 1.4G , Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f / 2.8G IF-ED , Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f / 4G ED VR Flash : Nissin Di622 Mark II Camera bag : Lowepro Slingshot 102 AW catch fish in the pond and were , by far , the better fishermen . In the evenings , we would go to a village disco or gather at a home to listen to the local musicians . Old men would play balalaika and accordion , adorned in costumes that were smoothly ironed , and for special occasions , they would also smoothly shave their beards .”