Header photo: Lydia by photographer/studio Zavod Studio UK, model Girl on Fire - Lydia and make-up artist Alona Dmytrenko

We love shining the limelight on fabulous creatives in the PurplePort community and sharing their unique journeys and creative processes.

In this episode of FEATURED, we interviewed Zavod Studio UK, a full-time studio on PurplePort with more than two years of experience based in Sheffield, United Kingdom.

Image by photographer/studio Zavod Studio UK, model Ballerina Erica Mulkern, make-up artist Alona Dmytrenko and stylist Chloe Donlevy (not on PurplePort) 

Image by photographer/studio Zavod Studio UK, model Ell Mae and make-up artist Alona Dmytrenko 

About Zavod Studio UK on PurplePort

Owned by Xeniamodel, Zavod is a photography studio based in the real, fully functioning fine pewter and silverware factory of Pinder Brothers Ltd., established in 1939. It's a hidden gem located on Arundel Street in the heart of Sheffield City Centre.

Zavod on Outside at Zavod Studio UK

Backdrops at the main studio at Zavod Studio UK

Image at Zavod Studio UK

The main studio is a versatile space with a variety of class paper/canvas backdrops (8 x 2.12m wide paper backdrops (black, arctic white, stormy grey, cherry red, sky blue, cappuccino nude, carnation pink and buttercup yellow, plus 2 x two-sided patterned canvas backdrops) and professional lighting equipment. 

It also has a small selection of props, including a vintage chest, a tall white foldable chair, a red modern chair, a distressed ladder and a black stool).

View from the changing room at Zavod Studio UK

Changing room display at Zavod Studio UK

Image at Zavod Studio UK

The communal areas of the factory are available to shoot in and ooze the authentic industrial ambience of Sheffield.

You can use this space to shoot up to fashion levels around a real, gritty, historic factory with curious staircases, corrugated metal walls, and endless corridors and corners. 

A favourite place to shoot is a workroom just outside the main studio, with vintage pewter and silver machinery.

Image at Zavod Studio UK

Image at Zavod Studio UK

The factory's grungy feel heavily inspires Zavod's aesthetic, and they have added their own touch by infusing Russian brutalism, which merges well.

As it's a fully functioning factory, the space is rusty, grimy and industrial, but despite the building's look, it is suitable for fashion, portraiture, e-commerce, bridal and video.

So many of the stunning images taken at Zavod Studio UK have been featured in the Front Page Image (FPI) Collection on PurplePort. This studio is a blank canvas with an abundance of photographic possibilities!

Hallway 2nd floor at Zavod Studio UK

Image at Zavod Studio UK

Interview with Zavod Studio UK on PurplePort

How did you get into running a studio?

First of all, what an honour to be featured on The Purple Blog! Thank you for asking me to be a part of it.

My name is Xenia. Some of you may know me as Xeniamodel, but I also manage Zavod Studio UK and am an in-house photographer here. Yes, fingers in all the pies – I just love photography. Can't get enough of it!

Zavod's aesthetic is heavily inspired by the factory's industrial and grungy feel. I have infused some elements of Russian brutalism in the branding and styling of the studio itself, e.g. 'ZAVOD' means 'FACTORY' in Russian.  

Since opening in 2021, I have already moved the studio to a bigger room in the same building. It is just such an inspiring space for my creativity, and I am so glad to be sharing it with other creatives in the industry – we have had some fantastic shoots here over the course of two years.

The idea for Zavod Studio was born in the lockdown of 2020, during a long walk in the Peak District. I mentioned to my partner that I wanted an unusual photography location that represents Sheffield's history, is safe for models to work at, is easy to get to, and could represent my heritage. Not asking for much, huh?

By that point, I already had a small home studio setup in the living room, where I used to shoot with some photographers that I knew and trusted. This was what felt like a long time ago, pre-lockdown times.

But the safety limitations meant I couldn't shoot there as often as I would've loved to, plus there weren't really any alternative photography studios to hire in Sheffield, so I used to have to travel out to nearby cities and use other studios (my forever favourite will always be The Boardroom Studio in Derby). So, I was already on the lookout for my own small studio space in Sheffield that I could rent on a casual basis.

One ordinary day, my partner discovered the Pinder Brothers factory building in the heart of the city centre. We viewed the studio and signed the contract the next day. We then set to work on making the space our own.

Blind beauty by photographer NEWO, model Xeniamodel and studio Zavod Studio UK

What did you do before running a studio?

Before moving to Sheffield in 2018, I used to live in Oxford for a year, where I did my MSc in Marketing and Brand Management (glad my degree became handy as I do all the admin and website design stuff myself).

During my time at the university, I worked as a model part-time, often travelling to London.

I have now been a model for at least 11 years, but it wouldn't have been my full-time job if it wasn't for Zavod. A combination of hiring the studio out, my own photography business and my modelling career makes an awesome mix for me to be able to have this as my only job.

I'm so chuffed – I wouldn't have it any other way.

Image by photographer Alan Ward, model Kelsey Wolfe and studio Zavod Studio UK

How do you prepare for photoshoots at your studio?

In my opinion, shoot prep is one of the most important steps to a successful shoot.

I love a good moodboard, and whenever I work with clients (or whenever I am booked on the job as a model), I always make sure to send an inspirational file that will include examples of makeup, outfits, lighting, poses and even the colour scheme. However, I have worked with lots of photographers who produce incredible work without any moodboards.

Maybe it's just my brain – I always like to be organised and make sure everyone is on the same page in terms of what we are trying to achieve from a shoot :)

Kitty (published in PUMP Magazine) by photographer/studio Zavod Studio UK, model kittyxdixonn (not on PurplePort) and make-up artist Alona Dmytrenko 

What's your favourite style of photoshoot?

My personal favourite style to photograph is beauty/high fashion. I love a high-key image, clean and sharp. This style proves itself the hardest one to retouch, though.

I still have a lot to learn - this is another enjoyable aspect of photography for me, the fact that 'every day is a school day'.

Dark gold by photographer CerithMJ, model Xeniamodel, studio Zavod Studio UK and postprocessing Alan Ward

What's the most interesting photoshoot you've ever worked on in your studio?

The most elaborate and exciting shoot I had at Zavod by far wasn't shot by me.

Hats off to one of my favourite UK photographers ever, Martin Higgs, and the team who worked on the editorial for the cover of Scorpio Jin Magazine, a publication called 'Dryad Regalia'.

We had a fashion designer Richard Hible, models Dani Latimer and Kaya Laura, accessory designer Amanda Caroline, MUA Nikki Oxley, hair stylist Alona Dmytrenko and retoucher Stefka Pavlova working on this. What a shoot it was!

Image (published in Scorpio Jin, October 2022)  by photographer Martin Higgs (not on PurplePort), models (not on PurplePort) Danielle Latimer (Cover) and Kaya Laura, make-up artist Nikki Oxley (not on PurplePort), hair stylist Alona Dmytrenko, designers (not on PurplePort) Amanda Caroline Couture and Richard Hible, postprocessing Stefka Pavlova (not on PurplePort) and studio Zavod Studio UK

What do you most enjoy about running a studio?

I am totally a people's person. In running my own studio, I get to meet so many exciting creatives, from models and photographers to people from Sheffield's music scene, actors, dancers, local business owners, and the list goes on.

I love meeting new people and seeing what artistic expression each of them brings to Zavod.

Image (published in Gay London Life) by photographer/studio Zavod Studio UK, model George Hughes (not on PurplePort) and make-up artist Alona Dmytrenko

What would you describe as your main strengths as a studio?

The fact that I am fully immersed in the photography world is indeed my strongest attribute.

I can help in terms of recommending people to work with and styling, and I can guide a model and help them pose during the shoot. I understand the photography and am always happy to help with setting up the lights, either for stills or video.

Pretty useful person to have on the shoot, I'd say! Apart from the fact when I start dancing randomly, but I only get this comfortable around my regulars :)

Not sure you'll get through by photographer Dave Linford, model Xeniamodel and studio Zavod Studio UK

What's your absolute favourite photo?

Ooof… Just one? I might struggle to answer this question. Because if I already had my absolute favourite photo in this world, what would be the whole point of doing what I do?

Perhaps we can say that my absolute favourite photo is the next photo taken.

Is there anyone in particular who inspires you?

I owe my inspiration to many people around the world, but the closest to my heart are the ones I work with in person regularly: Alona Dmytrenko, Tabitha Boydell, Alan Ward, CerithMJ, Dave Linford, and Hannah Lunn.

A massive big thank you for all your love and support, but also thank you to everyone I worked with, even if it was just once.

Lydia by photographer/studio Zavod Studio UK, model Girl on Fire - Lydia and make-up artist Alona Dmytrenko

What advice would you give to a studio just starting out?

If you love what you do and put your heart into it, you will succeed. Go for it!

One final question. Pineapple on pizza, yes or no?

Why the hell not? I don't discriminate. I'd put a sliced gherkin on there as well and a tonne of hot sauce if you ask me :)

Image by photographer CerithMJ, model Darcie Louise and studio Zavod Studio UK

Thanks again for speaking with us and sharing your creative journey, Zavod Studio UK. 

We hope you all enjoyed this interview. Check out the links below for more beautiful work created at the fabulous Zavod Studio UK!

Here's where you can find more of Zavod Studio UK's work

PurplePort: Zavod Studio UK

Website: www.zavodstudio.co.uk 

Instagram: zavodstudiouk

Facebook: Zavod Studio UK

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