Available to hire
I’m Maria Nikolaeva, a Berlin-based photographer, video editor, and creative producer with over a decade of experience delivering visual stories for brands, NGOs, and personal projects.
I blend art and analysis—neuroscience-informed aesthetics, editorial photography, and content strategy—to craft engaging experiences across photography, film, and digital media.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
Russian
Fluent
English
Fluent
German
Advanced
Work Experience
Volunteer Research Assistant at Media Zona (Russia 200 project), Berlin
June 1, 2025 - November 9, 2025OSINT research on Russian Armed Forces losses: collection, verification, and analysis of publicly available information
Content Analyst at Teleperformance, Berlin
July 1, 2024 - July 1, 2024Analysis, categorization and evaluation of digital content (text, images, video); ensuring quality and compliance standards for global platforms; identification of content trends, language variants and user behavior; achieved over 92% accuracy in content scoring, automated classification models and algorithm performance
Self-employed Artist, Film & Video Editor at Saint Petersburg, Russia
September 1, 2016 - September 1, 2016Post-production & editing for music videos, corporate films and documentaries; photo editing; planning, organization and implementation of film projects in collaboration with production teams and external service providers; archiving, cataloging and metadata management of audiovisual content; leading workshops in photography & video editing
Operations & Process Manager at Vegetarian Café Chain “Rada & K”, Saint Petersburg, Russia
September 1, 2016 - September 1, 2016Process management across multiple locations, coordination of 60+ employees to ensure efficient processes in service, logistics and customer interactions; development and implementation of training programs and workflows; establishment of an optimized organizational model reducing turnover and increasing satisfaction
Head of PR and Brand Development at NGO Center for Interethnic Cooperation, Moscow, Russia
September 1, 2015 - September 1, 2015Aligning brand philosophy with market expectations, shaping corporate image, managing marketing campaigns, events, social media and community engagement; B2B partnerships with co-working spaces and introduction of event catering
Executive Secretary at NGO Center for Interethnic Cooperation, Moscow, Russia
May 1, 2010 - May 1, 2010Organization, administration, support for intercultural projects; internship in Malta as part of the experience exchange program for Women Entrepreneurs Organizations
Artistic Director of Amateur Studio for Film, Photo, and Video Production at Saint Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts, Russia
June 1, 2014 - June 1, 2014Artistic direction with focus on art history and theory, pedagogy; focus on artistic photo and film production
Intern - Tone Production Assistant at Lenfilm, Saint Petersburg, Russia
February 1, 2013 - February 1, 2013Freelance Photographer at Self-employed / Berlin-based
June 1, 2023 - PresentAll content for a second-hand store @myshka.store; private maternity photoshoots.
Volunteer Research Assistant at MediaZona project
June 1, 2025 - PresentOSINT research on Russian Armed Forces losses: collection, verification, and analysis of publicly available information.
Content Analyst at Teleperformance
January 1, 2019 - July 1, 2024Analysis, categorization and evaluation of digital content (text, images, video); ensuring quality and compliance standards for global platforms; identification of content trends, language variants and user behavior; achieved over 92% accuracy in content scoring, automated classification models and algorithm performance.
Self-employed Artist, Film & Video Editor at Self-employed (Saint Petersburg, Russia)
November 1, 2010 - September 1, 2016Post-production & editing for music videos, corporate films and documentaries; photo editing; planning, organization and implementation of film projects; archiving and metadata management; led workshops in photography & video editing.
Operations & Process Manager at Vegetarian cafe chain “Rada & K”
September 1, 2015 - September 1, 2016Process management across multiple locations, coordination of 60+ employees; development and implementation of training programs and workflows; optimized organizational model resulting in 25% lower turnover and higher satisfaction.
Head of PR and Brand Development at Vegetarian cafe chain “Rada & K”
May 1, 2012 - September 1, 2015Aligning the brand philosophy with market expectations, shaping the corporate image, managing marketing campaigns, events, social media and community engagement; B2B partnerships with co-working spaces; introduction of event catering (50+ in the first year).
Executive Secretary at NGO Center for Interethnic Cooperation
February 1, 2006 - May 1, 2010Organization, administration, support for intercultural projects; internship in Malta as part of the experience exchange program for Women Entrepreneurs Organizations.
Artistic Director, Amateur Studio for Film, Photo, and Video Production at Saint Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts
September 1, 2009 - June 1, 2014Oversees artistic direction, pedagogy, and project focus on artistic photo and film production; included internship/experience related activities such as Lenfilm collaboration.
Intern, Tone Production at Lenfilm
February 1, 2013 - February 28, 2013Tone production assistant internship.
Education
Master of Arts in Life Science (Cognitive Neuroscience) at Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt University of Berlin
October 1, 2016 - June 1, 2020Bachelor of Philosophy (Linguistics) at Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg
September 1, 2004 - June 1, 2008Market Research Training at IU Academy
April 1, 2024 - August 1, 2025Master of Arts in Life Science (Cognitive Neuroscience) at Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt University of Berlin
October 1, 2016 - June 1, 2020Bachelor of Philosophy (Linguistics) at Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg
September 1, 2004 - June 1, 2008Qualifications
Telc German C1 Certificate (German professional language course)
August 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025Telc DTB C1 certificate (German language)
August 1, 2024 - January 4, 2026Market Research Training
April 1, 2025 - August 31, 2025Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Retail
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
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