32 years old, dermatologist
Boston, Massachusetts, USA

My husband and I had portrait photos taken by Yelena. I enjoyed the whole process very much, as Yelena was paid a great deal of attention to make-up and costume for me, both of which she came fully equipped with. In addition she was very attentive to trying to include pieces of jewelry that were more personal to me.

This was the first time we ever participated in a photo shoot and it was really fun. Yelena took multiple photographs, in different poses, and I really liked that they were natural poses, and outdoors, which made the photos look much less "posed" and more spontaneous.

We were very happy with the photos that resulted from our photo shoot with Yelena. She has a great eye for color and geometry.

You'll enjoy your photographs with her!

20 years old, IU student
Bloomington, Indiana, USA

My boyfriend and I had couple portraits made by Yelena for Valentine's Day, and they were the best gifts we could have given ourselves. Yelena made me feel pretty, and she brought out the best in my boyfriend. The images were beautiful and we had a great time. When my boyfriend is away, I keep the picture of us by my bed and when I look at it, I can see how much he loves me. You can see the love in the photographs! We hope to keep them as proof for our future children that we were young and nice looking once! They are lasting mementos of our relationship, and very valuable. I'd suggest that any couple go to Yelena for portraits.

Thank you, Yelena!

28 years old, marketing manager
Minsk, Belarus

Photography is memory. Flipping through the pages of the album of St. Petersburg [Russia], which marks the beginning of life with my lover, I muse over the fact that some day our grandchildren will look at us when we were young and beautiful and think what a lovely couple we were! Even now, all our friends smile and sigh when looking at our pictures, taken by Yelena Yahontova.

Photography is poetry, the object of which is to capture the mood, feelings, and atmosphere of a single moment in time that will never return: a glance at your lover, the touch of his hand, a gentle embrace. Yelena's camera has captured and rendered eternal the dawn of our feelings for each other.

Photography is a game. A woman should be varied: a bit of a water nymph, a little of a refined 19th century lady, the suggestion of an angel, with a hint of temptress. Only an artist can achieve this perfect amalgamation.

Yelena, thank you for memories, poetry, and games. :))