Tanya Asfir is a commercial animal and pet photographer known for creating expressive, thoughtful imagery that combines visual aesthetics with a deep understanding of animal behavior. She received her professional education at the School of Academic Photography in Saint Petersburg and has extensive experience working with both private clients and brands.
Her long-term projects include Mimika, exploring emotional expressions in humans and dogs, and Second Chance, dedicated to rescued dogs. Tanya’s work has been featured in Sobaka.ru, Bumaga, and on Channel 78, and she is a prize winner of the ILFORD PHOTO RUSSIA competition.
Beyond photography, Tanya is a certified dog and cat behavior specialist, having graduated with honors from the University of Modern Cynology and completed advanced training with leading professionals. Her ability to read body language, understand behavioral patterns, and respect animal physiology allows her to create calm, safe, and stress-free photo sessions — resulting in natural, authentic images that reflect each animal’s true character.
E-mail: tanya.asfir@gmail.com
+381 628 922 004
CV
Education
- 2020|Masterclass with Dmitry Rogozhkin
- 2019|HSE MEDIA SCHOOL|HSE
- 2018|Animal Photography Masterclass with Ksenia Raykova
- 2017−2019|Advanced Course | School of Academic Photography
- 2017|Basics of Analog Photography | School of Academic Photography
- 2017|Photography Fundamentals | School of Academic Photography
- 2017|Seminar: “Preparing Dogs for Canistherapy Work” | Union for Support and Development of Canistherapy
- 2016|Canistherapy Volunteer Course | Union for Support and Development of Canistherapy
Teaching Experience
- 2020|Lessons “Composition” & “Product Photography” in the course “Photography Fundamentals II” | Yarkaya Photo School
- 2020|Intensive: “Editing Fundamentals — Lightroom & Photoshop” | Yarkaya Photo School
- 2019|Workshop: “Creating Photo Stories in Animal Photography” | Yarkaya Photo School
- 2019|Intensive: “Studio Lighting” | Yarkaya Photo School
- 2019|Open Lesson: “Creative Lighting Techniques” | Yarkaya Photo School
- 2019|Course: “Studio Equipment and Studio Lighting” | Yarkaya Photo School
- 2019|Course: “Animal Photography” | Yarkaya Photo School
- 2019|Open Lecture: “Animal Photography” | School of Academic Photography
- 2019|Masterclass: “Studio Animal Photography” | School of Academic Photography
- 2019|Open Lecture: “Working with Models in Animal Photography” | School of Academic Photography
Exhibitions & Projects
- 2020|Solo Exhibition: Second Chance at FOTO-ONE | Saint Petersburg
- 2018|Solo Exhibition: Mimika at Golitsyn Hall | Saint Petersburg
- 2018| Do Good Deeds — charity postcards supporting the “Polyanka” animal shelter
Awards
2019| ILFORD PHOTO RUSSIA| Winner, 1st Place
Publications
Her work has been published in Bumaga, Sobaka.ru, Woman’s Day, M-24, Rambler.ru, spb.artphotoschool.ru, and on TV channel “78”.