About
My name is Svitlana Onipko. I am photographer and ballet dancer from Ukraine, based in Berlin.
Since 2018, I have specialized in ballet, backstage, portrait, and studio photography, creating images that combine movement, emotion, and a fashion-inspired aesthetic.
As a professional ballet artist, I have a unique perspective on the world behind the curtain. Through my long-term project Behind the Scenes of Ukrainian Ballet, I document the hidden moments of rehearsals, performances, and backstage life, revealing a side of ballet rarely seen by audiences.
Alongside my photographic work, I create studio portraits and fashion-inspired dance imagery, working with dancers, artists, and performers.
I also teach photography workshops focused on studio lighting, ballet photography and fashion, helping photographers develop both their technical skills and artistic vision.
I am a collaborator on Unbroken – Ukrainian Ballerinas, a photographic project by me and Felipe Jácome that tells the story of Ukrainian ballet during wartime. The project has been exhibited in numerous cities across Europe and the United States.