Unique Studio Photoshoots Around the World: My Aquarium Shoot in Moscow

May 28

As a photographer, I’m always on the lookout for unique and inspiring locations. Living in New York City gives me endless outdoor backdrops—spectacular skyline views, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems. But when it comes to studio work, I often crave something different. Not just a beautiful space, but a location that feels truly one-of-a-kind.

On social media, I often see New York photographers booking the same decorated studio sets again and again. They’re gorgeous, of course, but I want my work to stand out. That’s why traveling gives me such an incredible advantage—I get to explore studios around the world, each offering something new and exciting. As an NYC travel photographer, this is one of the ways I keep my creative vision sharp.

Before my trip to Moscow, Russia, I researched studio rentals and found three that immediately caught my eye:

A studio with a massive aquarium large enough to photograph a model inside.
A sand-filled studio that feels like stepping into another world.
A studio decorated entirely with parachutes.

Today, I want to share my experience with the aquarium studio, called “Gde Ptichki.”

Finding the Location

I’ve always dreamed of doing a full underwater photoshoot, but investing in a professional underwater housing for my camera isn’t high on my priority list right now (since this isn’t something I shoot on a daily basis—yet? haha). So when I discovered the possibility of photographing a model inside an aquarium, it felt like the perfect alternative. I could create that surreal underwater vibe while still working with my existing gear and focusing on creative direction.

I first discovered this aquarium studio through Instagram reels, and I knew instantly that I wanted to shoot there. The only challenge? Finding a model willing to spend over an hour inside the water.

I had the vision fully mapped out—I wasn’t just the photographer but also the creative director, coming up with the location, designing the looks, and building the story I wanted to tell. All I needed was the right collaborator.

By pure luck, one of my model friends—Kristina, who I had previously worked with on a lifestyle shoot in Las Vegas—saw my Instagram story about boarding a plane to Russia. She messaged me right away, and as it turned out, she was also in Russia at the time. What are the chances? We quickly made a plan to bring this dream editorial shoot to life.

Aquarium studio location, “Gde Ptichki,” Moscow, Russia

Planning the Looks

To make the most of the studio, we planned three different outfits:

Mermaid Vibes – A silver look with pearls to capture that dreamy underwater fantasy.
Flowing Elegance – A lightweight dress with fabric designed to float and move in the water, creating soft, surreal shapes.
High-Fashion Editorial – A bold look with a white top, black bottoms, and black heels. Yes, heels in an aquarium—it was daring, unexpected, and looked incredible.

Each concept was carefully chosen to push the limits of fashion editorial photography in a way that felt cinematic, bold, and imaginative.

Shooting at the Aquarium

When we arrived, heaters were placed inside the aquarium to warm up the water. But before Kristina stepped in, the heaters were removed, so the water slowly cooled down throughout the session. Since I extended the shoot by another hour (I just couldn’t get enough of this unique studio photoshoot), the temperature dropped. Kristina was an absolute champ, staying strong through it all until we captured everything we needed.

For lighting, I worked exclusively with continuous lights and experimented with gels in shades of purple and blue to create a cinematic underwater vibe. I typically used two light sources to achieve depth and dimension.

To add even more atmosphere, I rented a smoke machine. We only had it for 15 minutes—which turned out to be perfect. Longer would have been overwhelming, but in that short window, I created some of my favorite dramatic images of the day.

Pushing Boundaries in Fashion Editorial Photography: My Aquarium Studio Shoot in Moscow

Aquarium photoshoot with Kristina Malai, model and actress.

Gear and Lighting Setup

For this photoshoot, I used my Canon EOS R5 camera paired with the RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM lens, which gave me the flexibility to capture both wide atmospheric shots of the aquarium and tight, editorial-style portraits.

The light sources were continuous lights provided by the studio. I primarily worked with two lights to build the overall mood, and occasionally added a third light when I wanted to highlight a specific feature or draw extra attention to a detail within the frame. This setup allowed me to experiment with gels (purples and various shades of blue) and create that cinematic underwater atmosphere I had envisioned.

The Takeaway

This shoot was a reminder that as photographers, we grow the most when we challenge ourselves. Shooting in New York City is incredible, but stepping outside the familiar and working in unique spaces around the world has given me a new level of creative freedom.

By acting as both photographer and creative director, I was able to shape this entire project—from concept to styling to execution—and the results were some of the most striking images I’ve ever captured.

If you’re a photographer, don’t limit yourself to the same locations you see on social media. Seek out unusual studios, explore different cities, and experiment with bold ideas. Your skills, your vision, and your confidence will grow every single time you push your creative boundaries.

👉 Scroll down to see some of the photos from this session, along with a quick behind-the-scenes video to give you a feel for how it all came together.