Hi, I’m Kitiya — a Latvian photographer based in Puglia.

Formally trained in creative and documentary photography, I have been working behind the camera since 2016. I am drawn to images that feel honest, atmospheric, and alive. I believe photography is more than creating a beautiful surface. It is a way of noticing people—their gestures, connections, and the small, in-between moments that often reveal the most.

Education & Experience

My technical foundation and visual language have been shaped by both formal studies and hands-on industry experience:

• Contemporary & Documentary Photography | ISSP School Completed a one-year intensive program focusing on documentary storytelling, visual anthropology, lighting techniques, and the development of a personal photographic language.

• Creative Photography & Cultural Management | Latvian College of Culture (2016–2019) Earned a first-level professional higher education qualification.

• Exhibited Work | "Two Sides" Created a documentary series as my qualification project, which was presented in a public exhibition in Riga and featured in Foto Kvartāls magazine.

• High-End Retouching Background Before focusing fully on portrait photography, I worked as a professional retoucher. This experience developed my meticulous attention to colour, light, detail, and natural-looking finishing—skills that elevate my photography today.

My Approach

My documentary background deeply shapes the way I photograph people. I look beyond fixed poses and pay attention to movement, expression, the environment, and genuine connection.

You do not need to know how to pose or feel naturally confident in front of a camera. I will guide you with simple movements and gentle prompts, leaving enough space for real moments to unfold. The aim is not to turn you into someone else for the photographs. It is to create images that feel beautiful, cinematic, and unmistakably like you.

Why Puglia?

Puglia feels like a journey into another time—weathered stone, quiet historical streets, wild coastal landscapes, ancient olive trees, and Mediterranean light that changes beautifully throughout the day. This setting perfectly mirrors my photographic style: bright and natural, characterized by a warm golden glow and the beautiful, deep blues of the sea.

After relocating to Southern Italy, I began creating relaxed photo sessions for couples, families, and solo travellers. I have a special place in my heart for engagement sessions and am especially passionate about capturing secret proposals. The raw authenticity, vulnerability, and pure joy of those unscripted moments are exactly what I love to document.

Before every session, I carefully consider the location, light, timing, and atmosphere. I want you to feel relaxed and present while I transform your time in Puglia into a collection of meaningful, timeless photographs.