About the studio

Light, craft, and patience.

Lumen Photo is a Kyiv-based photography studio founded on the belief that good images come from understanding your subject — not from rushing through a session with a preset and a deadline.

Lumen Photo photographer adjusting a softbox light in the studio

№ 01 — Our story

Nine years of deliberate work in one city.

Lumen Photo was founded in Kyiv in 2017 by Taras Melnyk, a commercial and documentary photographer with fifteen years of editorial experience. After years of working as a freelancer for international publications and Ukrainian advertising agencies, Taras wanted a space — literally and creatively — to do the work properly.

The studio opened in Podil with 60 m² of shooting space, two assistants, and a single conviction: every client deserves a senior photographer who has thought about their project before walking in the door. That conviction has not changed as we have grown to a team of six and moved into our current 120 m² space on Reitarska Street.

Today we serve portrait clients, commercial brands, couples and editorial art directors from across Ukraine and beyond. Through a difficult few years for the country, we have found that people still need beautiful images — perhaps more than ever.

№ 02 — Studio milestones

How we got here

From a 60 m² rented space to one of Kyiv's most respected dedicated photography studios. Each year added a discipline, a capability or a relationship that shaped what Lumen Photo is today.

2017

Studio founded in Podil, Kyiv

Taras Melnyk registers Lumen Photo and signs the first lease on a 60 m² ground-floor space on Kontraktova Ploscha. First commercial client: a Kyiv-based jewellery brand that remains a client today.

2018

Wedding photography programme launched

Responding to demand from portrait clients, we formally launched a wedding photography service. Oksana Bondar joins as second senior photographer, bringing specialist documentary experience from 200+ ceremonies across Ukraine.

2019

First editorial commission — Vogue Ukraine

Taras Melnyk completes the studio's first Vogue Ukraine fashion editorial, establishing Lumen Photo's editorial credentials and opening the door to a series of Ukrainian and international magazine commissions.

2020

In-house retouching department established

We bring all retouching in-house, hiring Yuliia Kovalenko as senior retoucher. This eliminates the quality variance that came from third-party post-production and becomes one of our most significant differentiators.

2021

Move to 120 m² studio on Reitarska Street

The studio relocates to its current, larger premises — doubling shooting space, adding a dedicated client lounge and a controlled second shooting bay for simultaneous product and portrait sessions.

2022

Continuing through difficulty

Despite the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Lumen Photo remained open, adapting our schedule to curfew conditions and contributing documentary photography to several international media organisations at no charge. We believe in the power of images to tell Ukraine's story honestly.

2023

Architecture & interiors division formalised

Vasyl Hrynchuk joins as commercial and architectural photographer, and we formally offer interior and architectural photography as a named service. Within twelve months it accounts for 18% of studio revenue.

2024

2,000th session milestone & membership in SWPP

The studio completes its 2,000th session — a personal branding shoot for a Kyiv-based fintech founder — and joins the Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers, gaining access to its international professional development programme.

2025–2026

Three magazine covers and continued growth

Lumen Photo shoots its third Ukrainian magazine cover in twelve months and crosses 2,400 cumulative sessions. We expand our commercial client base to include brands from Lviv, Odesa and international clients shooting on location in Kyiv.

№ 03 — Our mission

To make photographs worth keeping forever.

We exist to produce images that earn a place on walls, in publications and in memories — not images that are forgotten a week after delivery. We achieve this by putting craft, care and genuine collaboration at the centre of every session.

№ 04 — The team

Small on purpose. Focused by design.

Lumen Photo has a senior team of six: three photographers, two retouchers, and one studio coordinator. We deliberately stay small so every project receives genuine attention — we are not interested in volume for its own sake.

Taras Melnyk

Founder & Lead Photographer

15 years of commercial and editorial experience. Shot for Vogue Ukraine, Forbes UA and over 80 national brands. Handles commercial campaigns and editorial commissions personally.

Oksana Bondar

Senior Photographer

Specialist in portrait, wedding and lifestyle photography. Over 600 ceremonies documented across Ukraine. Known for her unobtrusive documentary style and the warmth she brings to portrait sessions.

Vasyl Hrynchuk

Commercial & Architectural Photographer

Product and architectural photography specialist. Previously head of imaging at a Kyiv post-production house. Leads all commercial catalogue and interior projects.

Yuliia Kovalenko

Senior Retoucher

Colour science and retouching lead with a background in print pre-press. Processes every commercial delivery to ensure the studio's signature tonal consistency from screen to print.

Dmytro Zayets

Retoucher & Digital Asset Manager

Handles portrait retouching and manages the studio's client file archive. Ensures every delivered gallery is catalogued, backed up and accessible for the full 24-month retention period.

Mariia Savchenko

Studio Coordinator

The first person you speak to when you enquire. Mariia manages all bookings, client communication, studio scheduling and the practical side of every shoot day from prep to wrap.

№ 05 — What we believe in

The values that shape every session

Craft

Craft over convenience

We take longer to set up a shot than most studios because lighting is not something you fix in post. Every frame earns its place.

Presence

Full attention

The photographer in your session is focused entirely on you, not managing another booking or training a junior. You get our best, not our available.

Honesty

Straight communication

We tell you what is and is not achievable in your session, what a shoot will cost, and when files will be delivered. No vague estimates, no surprises.

Respect

Respect for your image

We do not publish client work without permission. Your images belong to you. We are custodians of your likeness, not owners of it.

Consistency

The same standard, every time

Whether it is your first session with us or your fiftieth, the lighting, the retouching and the care do not waver. Reliability is a creative value, not just an operational one.

Roots

Made in Kyiv, for Ukraine

We are a Kyiv studio with deep local roots. We know this city, its light and its people, and we are proud to help Ukrainian brands and families tell their stories well.

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Ready to create something that lasts?

Tell us about your project and we will respond within one working day with ideas and availability.

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