I’m Antonina Zharko, a documentary storyteller and photographer based in Arusha, Tanzania, working at the intersection of field research, visual documentation, and human-centred storytelling. My practice combines photography with interviews, sound and video recording, and careful field notes to document people, livelihoods, and environmental change—especially where communities’ relationship with their surroundings is shifting.…

ANTONINA ZHARKO

I’m Antonina Zharko, a documentary storyteller and photographer based in Arusha, Tanzania, working at the intersection of field research, visual documentation, and human-centred storytelling. My practice combines photography with interviews, sound and video recording, and careful field notes to document people, livelihoods, and environmental change—especially where communities’ relationship with their surroundings is shifting.…

Available to hire

I’m Antonina Zharko, a documentary storyteller and photographer based in Arusha, Tanzania, working at the intersection of field research, visual documentation, and human-centred storytelling. My practice combines photography with interviews, sound and video recording, and careful field notes to document people, livelihoods, and environmental change—especially where communities’ relationship with their surroundings is shifting.

See more

Language

English
Fluent
Russian
Fluent
Swahili
Intermediate

Work Experience

Freelance Photographer
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Produced photographic documentation of safari and tourism experiences in field conditions, capturing people, landscapes, and environments, and editing/delivering professional visual material.
Manager of Operations at THE IMAGE OF AFRICA LTD.
December 1, 2020 - August 31, 2024
Designed and coordinated bespoke itineraries and complex travel logistics across Tanzania for international clients and local partners. Provided destination knowledge and practical guidance, independently resolving changing operational problems. Managed bookings, payments, records, and day-to-day operations while supporting digital and social-media communication.
Freelance Photographer at Publications & Model Agencies
March 1, 2013 - September 30, 2019
Developed editorial, portrait, landscape, and documentary photography across film, digital, and mobile formats. Managed concepts, shoots, client communication, editing, and delivery independently to professional deadlines.
Freelance Photographer at Publications
December 1, 2011 - February 28, 2013
Assisted editorial and fashion productions and produced photography under deadline constraints.
Translator & Interpreter at OMSK REFINERY
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2011
Translated technical and business materials and interpreted at meetings and international conferences. Translated complex technical information for practical use and worked accurately under strict deadlines.

Education

BA Photographic Media at Griffith College Dublin
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2014
MA Linguistics & Translation at Omsk State University
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2008

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Education, Government, Travel & Hospitality, Other
    Tanzania Experience - Marketing campaign
    Commissioned photography for Tanzania Experience, created for tourism marketing and visual storytelling. The work combines wildlife, landscape and authentic travel moments to communicate the character of Tanzania and the safari experience.…
    Lake Tanganyika: On the Edge of the Water
    “Lake Tanganyika: On the Edge of the Water” is an ongoing documentary photography project exploring life along the shores of Lake Tanganyika and the communities living with a rapidly changing landscape. Working with 35mm film, I document everyday life, displacement, memory and resilience through quiet, observational photography. The project combines photographs with interviews and field notes, creating a visual record of communities facing rising water levels and an uncertain future.…

Hire a Photographer

We have the best photographer experts on Twine. Hire a photographer in Arusha today.