Interview with Valeriia Guznenkova: the body, strength, and a new visual language in fitness
The fitness industry has long relied on a familiar visual language — idealized bodies, predictable angles, and repetitive aesthetics. But today, a new generation of creators is beginning to challenge and reshape that narrative. One of them is photographer Valeriia Guznenkova, whose work is increasingly becoming a reference point for athletes, coaches, and photographers alike.
We spoke with Valeriia about the body, perception, and why modern fitness demands a new visual approach.
— Valeriia, your path didn’t begin with photography, but with fitness. How did that shape your perspective?
— Completely. I didn’t come into photography through the camera — I came through the body.
For years, I was deeply involved in strength training. I understood how the body changes, how it responds, how much work goes into shaping it. And at the same time, I kept seeing a disconnect between that reality and how it was being visually represented.
I knew how much effort was behind those results. But in images, that effort often disappeared. It either turned into something overly sexualized, or the actual structure of the body was simply lost.
At some point, it became clear to me: the problem wasn’t the body — it was the … Read More
