A woman with long dark hair sitting and holding a large white lily flower.

PHOTOGRAPHY AS A PATH

BACK TO MYSELF

Personalised workshops for women in the healing process, guided by twenty years of personal and professional practice.

Black and white photo of a woman with dual layered, blurred face effects. She has long dark hair, wears a black spaghetti strap top, and stands in front of a background split into black and white halves.

Since I picked up the camera, it has been my way of returning home to my own body. It began as a personal need, an attempt to see myself without the ever-present critical voice that usually gets there first, with no judgement but rather with love.

Over nearly two decades, that quiet, personal practice of self-portraiture became something I now understand as a form of healing. I've used it through the darkest times of my life - to process pain I didn't have words for, to slowly rebuild a relationship with my body after it had felt unsafe, to battle mental health, self-harm, and to prove to myself, one photograph at a time, that I was still here.

It became a tool I still use regularly today. My best friend, my therapist, my safe space. (See full personal gallery HERE.)

Black and white diptych photo of two women with outstretched arms, looking directly at the camera. The woman on the left has long dark hair and a serious expression, while the woman on the right has shoulder-length dark hair and a similar serious expression.

I am not a therapist. I am a photographer. But I’ve witnessed, from lived experience and helping others, what can happen when a woman allows herself to be seen, or to see herself, with care, acceptance, and no judgment.

This workshop stems from that experience. It is designed to support women through recovery processes after mental or physical abuse, alongside the professional team of each organisation. It does not aim to produce "good photos." It seeks to create a safe space where the body can, little by little, cease to feel like a dangerous place.

A practical experience that has the power to transform into a personal practice where one can access and re-connect with oneself every time, in every place they need.

Black and white photography grid of six images showing a woman sitting with knees pulled to her chest, holding or covering her face with a large lily flower, with dramatic lighting and shadows creating silhouette effects.

Why Photography?

A camera can do something a mirror can't: it holds still.

It lets you come back to an image later, on your own terms, when you're ready. I creates a healthy separation, a small, safe distance between the body and the mind - enough distance to look it as a viewer, with objection, but enough closeness to still feel it's yours.

This is the foundation of this workshop. A safe, transformative space for women to connect back to themselves and their body.

What this workshop is?

This worksop is a slow, structured, gradual process. It’s never rushed, never forced or exposed in front of a camera from the first day.

We begin from a distance with the body, move on to the gaze, and only when each woman is ready, on to the self-portrait and/or close-ups. a process that carries her from safety, to agency behind the camera, to (in her own time) being in front of it herself. It is always run alongside the psychological or social work already being done by the organisation. It is a complement to that care, never a replacement for it.

The process unfolds in stages: beginning with the body and breath, with no camera involved at all. Moving to holding the camera and photographing others or objects, to practice an active, chosen gaze. And only later, gradually, to self-portraiture - always on each woman's own terms, always with the right to stop, skip, or say no at any point.

What this workshop is not?

It is not a conventional photoshoot. It is not about producing polished or "beautiful" images.

There is no pressure to show your face, your body, or anything you don't choose to show. Nothing is shared outside the group without written consent.

A woman looking at herself in a mirror with a blurred reflection, wearing a black top or dress.
A woman with long brown hair sitting on a staircase, partially concealing her face with her arm. She is wearing a black dress.
Black and white portrait of a woman with her eyes closed, holding her neck with her hand, against a dark background.

Who is it for?

This workshop is suitable for organisations, shelters, and foundations supporting women who are recovering from domestic violence, abuse, or trauma, and who are looking for an embodied, creative complement to their existing psychological and social support.

An invitation

If you work with women in this kind of process and think this could be a meaningful addition to what you already offer, I'd love to hear from you.

I'm open to adapt and collaborate regarding the format (one session or several, individual or group) in order to fit the women you support.

To discuss further, please fill the contact form below.

PORTFOLIO

Black and white photo of a woman sitting cross-legged on the ground, with long straight hair covering her face, in a stretching or yoga pose, against a plain dark background.
Black and white photo of a woman behind prison bars, with half her face obscured in shadow.
Black and white photo of a woman with black hair, holding her face with hands in front of a split black and white background, creating a blurred motion effect.
Black and white photo of a woman lying in bed with her face turned away from the camera, and a blurry background of various items on a shelf or dresser.
Silhouetted figure of a person with long hair, bent forward, standing on a platform against a cloudy sky.
A person's midsection in black and white, with hands holding dark leaves or flowers over the lower abdomen, and a small tattoo on the upper abdomen.
Silhouette of a person with arms outstretched, holding a large octagonal light source behind them, creating a contrast between light and shadow in black and white.
Silhouette of a woman in a yoga pose with one leg bent and arms raised against a cloudy sky.
Black and white photo of a person's bare chest and neck, with hands placed on the chest, fingers spread apart.
Black and white photo of a woman with partly blurred face, wearing a spaghetti strap top, against a background split into black and white halves.
A woman with long black hair sitting with her back facing the camera, topless, against a neutral background.
A person holding a circular lighted mirror with a black surface, reflecting a person taking a photo with a smartphone, wearing glasses and a white shirt.
A woman with dark hair posing against a divided black and white background, with a motion blur effect showing her hands covering her face and her head tilted forward.
A blurry black and white photo of a person with light-colored hair, wearing a dark top, and holding or touching their head with one hand, standing in front of a plain background.
A person looking into a mirror with a glowing light around it, their face is reflected with closed eyes and a slightly open mouth, and their hand is near the mirror.
A black and white photograph of a woman with short hair covering her face with her hands, one hand over her eyes and the other over her mouth, against a black background.
Person holding a circular LED mirror in front of a blurry reflection of their face and upper body in a dark setting.
Black and white photo of three hands intertwined, with one hand on the wrist of another, against a black background.
Blurred black-and-white photo of a woman walking past a mirror, with her reflection partially visible.
A black and white photo of a woman with long hair, kneeling on a bed, leaning forward with her head down and one hand on the bed. She is topless and wearing underwear, with a plain wall in the background.
Close-up black and white photograph of the side profile of a human torso, focusing on the waist and hip area, with a smooth background.
A woman sitting on a staircase, partially hidden behind a wooden railing, wearing a black dress, with her hair falling over her shoulder.
Black and white photo of a woman with glasses, her hair tied up, standing in front of a plain wall and a door or panel, captured in motion with a blurred effect.
A young woman with long, dark hair looking downward against a plain background.
Black and white portrait of a woman with her face partially covered by her hands, looking directly at the camera, against a dark background.
Blurry black and white photo of a woman walking past a mirror, captured with motion blur, showing her leg, part of her dress, and long hair.

REQUEST A 

WORKSHOP    

Book your healing photography workshop with Mariya Mileva by filling out the contact form.

We will be in touch shortly to arrange the additional details with you. Feel free to share any ideas or special enquiries you have in mind.

Blurry black-and-white photo of a person with dark hair and glasses, facing left, with a dark background.

CLIENT REVIEWS

  • "THIS PHOTOSHOOT CHANGED MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY BODY IN A WAY I DIDN’T THINK WAS POSSIBLE”

    I’d planned to do something like this for years, always telling myself I’d wait until I looked better, slimmer, or “more ready.” Eventually I realised: I’m only getting older, and this moment wasn’t going to magically arrive. So I booked a flight to Barcelona — and the second I did, it felt right. (…)

    My intention was simple: photos of me, not me pretending to be someone else. And because of that, the images became more than “sexy.” They were sensual, powerful, and honest. The see‑through gown I brought made me feel like a million bucks, and her direction brought out sides of me I didn’t even know were there.
    By the time I ended up basically nude, I realised something shocking: it was the first time in my life I didn’t feel judged at all.

    When she showed me the last photo on the camera, I cried. It hit me how pointless all those years of body‑hatred had been. My body isn’t a model body — but for the first time, I saw it clearly, and I wasn’t angry with it.

    Seeing the final photos a few days later was life‑changing. I kept asking myself, Is that really me? After decades of self‑criticism, there it was: undeniable proof that I am beautiful. Still me, but captured in a way that showed my fricking SOUL. My inner critic had nothing left to say.

    Mariya helped me — a 41‑year‑old, heavily overweight woman — feel beautiful in my whole body for the first time in my life. And months later, the effect hasn’t faded.

    Now I don’t just have stunning photos. I have a quieter inner voice, a softer relationship with myself, and a daily reminder (yes, it’s my Home Screen) that’s more powerful than any affirmation.

    Mariya didn’t just photograph me — she gave me back to myself.

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with wavy hair, looking directly at the camera, with a neutral expression, against a dark background.

    “THE BEST PHOTOSHOOT I'VE EVER HAD."

    Mariya is the best! Shes an incredible women who makes you feel super comfortable and relaxed. The best photoshoot I’ve ever had and the pictures were stunning. I recommend Mariya to everyone. Thank you so much for the portraits!

  • Silhouette of a woman at the beach during sunset, standing with her arms raised behind her head, with the sun shining over her head and a distant landscape in the background.

    “UNA EXPERIENCIA ÚNICA."

    Hice una session de foto 'Summer edition' con Mariya y fue simplemente perfecto.
    Me sentí muy confortable con mi cuerpo, Mariya fue capaz de captar la posa y el momento a través de su mirada profesional y artística, entregándome unas imágenes en las cuales me siento realmente representada.
    El todo rodeada de la mágia del paisaje de la Costa Brava ¡Es un plus!
    Gracias Mariya por permitirme verme a través de tu lente.

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with wavy dark hair, wearing a white shirt and a watch, posing against a plain background.

    “ME SENTÍ CÓMODA, RELAJADA Y SOBRE TODO SEGURA DE MÍ MISMA."

    Mil gracias a la fotógrafa María, que me ha hecho la mejor sesión. Yo quería verme discreta, seria y atractiva, y lo hemos conseguido. ¡Trabajo excelente! Durante la sesión me sentí cómoda, relajada y sobre todo segura de mí misma. Fue una experiencia que reforzó mi amor propio y me permitió verme con otros ojos, apreciando mi esencia y mi belleza natural.

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with short hair, wearing a light-colored top with thin straps, posing with her hands behind her head.

    “THE EXPERIENCE WAS EXTRAORDINARY.”

    I had the absolute pleasure of working with Mariya, and I can’t recommend her enough! She is incredibly professional, creative, and truly caring through the process, from the consultation to the shooting sessions. The portraits she captured were breathtaking, every detail was perfect.


    I also had the opportunity to do a nude art session, and the experience was extraordinary. It was handled with such aesthetic precision and taste, and the results were stunningly beautiful, elegant and classy. On top of all this, Mariya made the entire process so much fun, creating a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere throughout. If you’re looking for a photographer who’s as talented as dedicated, look no further!

  • Black and white photograph of a woman with dark hair and tattoos, wearing a sheer, fishnet black bodysuit and knee-high socks, sitting against a plain background.

    “I TRULY COULDN’T HAVE PICKED A BETTER PHOTOGRAPHER, OR A MORE WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.”

    5 stars is not high enough rating or praise for what Mariya deserves!

    Did a photoshoot with Mariya for my business that I spent months prepping for and I truly couldn’t have picked a better photographer, or a more wonderful experience.

    Truly believe that we were destined to meet, her amazing vibe made made me feel so at ease and supported from the day we met for coffee to discuss the shoot right up until the end of the shoot itself. She truly is amazing at what she does and is THE biggest hype queen.

    Only the beginning of our time working together, already excited for future shoots.

    Truly cannot recommend enough 💜💜💜

  • Black and white photo of a woman with curly hair lying on her stomach on a bed, smiling and looking down.

    "МАРИЯ МИ ПОМОГНА ДА СЕ ПОГЛЕДНА С ДРУГИ ОЧИ, ДА СЕ ЗАОБИЧАМ И ПРИЕМА КАКВАТО СЪМ..."

    Казвало се терапевтична фотография… Дори не подозирах, че има такова понятие, но начина по който се видях през обектива на Мария ми помогна да се погледна с други очи, да се заобичам и приема каквато съм…
    Благодаря ти от сърце! ❤️