About Violetta
Violetta Markelou is a multidisciplinary visual artist and photographer whose work lives at the intersection of stylized portraiture, fashion, storytelling, and community. Influenced from an early age by fashion and portrait photography, her work blends a strong visual aesthetic with emotional depth, using fashion as a visual language to express identity, presence, and individuality.
With over twenty years behind the camera, her practice is grounded in a deeply intuitive approach—one that prioritizes emotional safety, trust, and human connection. From the first conversation through the final image, she is constantly reading energy, body language, and unspoken cues. She is known for creating environments where people feel seen and understood, allowing vulnerability and authenticity to surface naturally while guiding subjects toward images that feel both elevated and true. This approach is reflected in her longstanding client relationships and consistently exceptional reviews, which often highlight not only the final images, but the experience of being photographed.
Creativity in her work is perceptual as much as visual. She has an ability to sense emerging narratives, cultural undercurrents, and unspoken stories before they are fully articulated. Through photography, audio, and film, she translates abstract emotions and lived experiences into layered, intentional imagery that feels cinematic, expressive, and human rather than performative.
Communication is central to her process. Through deep listening and empathetic direction, she bridges vision and execution before, during, and after each project. This clarity allows collaborators and subjects to trust the process and feel confident showing up fully as themselves.
Community-building has long been a throughline in her work. During the pandemic, she created Inbox Full, a portrait and audio interview series documenting small business owners in Washington, DC at a moment of collective vulnerability. The project amplified voices often overlooked by mainstream media and galvanized a local creative and small business community through shared storytelling.
Her community-centered practice also includes participation in women-led art collectives such as SuperFierce, with work featured at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. In 2016, she created Women of Colour, a portrait and storytelling series using color as a metaphor for courage, visibility, and redefining professional identity. The project brought together women from diverse backgrounds and professions, fostering connection through both imagery and personal narrative.
Bridging her background in visual arts with a deep interest in holistic health and longevity, she has also worked with Lolli Brands Entertainment on casting for the women’s health documentary ‘sHEALed’, set to premiere on Amazon Prime. By connecting leading women’s health professionals from around the world with the film’s producers, she helped bring credible, empowering voices together—merging health, media, and visual storytelling in service of women reclaiming their narratives.
Her work has been published in The Washington Post, VOGUE ITALIA ‘Photo Vogue, HBO Films, Modern Luxury Magazine, Washingtonian Magazine, Fox News, Voice of America and a national campaign for Planned Parenthood. Violetta’s work has been featured in multiple solo and group exhibitions in Washington D.C, and included at The National Museum of Women in the Arts annual Gala exhibition.
Awards, Accolades and Exhibition:
May 2024 – Violetta joins forces with Lolli Brands Entertainment to cast ‘sHEALed‘ – A Women’s Health Documentary for Amazon Prime
July 2021 – Violetta Markelou was selected by Washington Performing Arts for their first edition of Creator’s Notebook. A documentary of local artists and small businesses in Washington DC
June 2020 – Violetta’s photo docs-series ‘Inbox Full’ receives local and International spotlight for highlighting small business owners and mental health during the 2020 pandemic.
April 2019 – Violetta’s work was featured in “Tag Up”, an all female artist showcase featured in UMBRELLA by NO KINGS COLLECTIVE
May 2018 – Violetta’s ‘Portrait of The Artist Maggie Michael’ was included at The National Museum of Women In The Arts Annual Gala and Auction
October 2017 – Violetta was a featured artist at Superfierce ‘The Art Of Resistance’, a month-long exhibition showcasing over 30 female artists at The Blind Whino Washington D.C
April 2017 – Violetta’s F Cancer Series was included at The National Museum of Women In The Arts 30th Anniversary Gala and Auction
October 2016 – Violetta was selected as one of 8 “Superfierce” artists in Washington D.C. The traveling art exhibit debuted at The National Museum of Women in The Arts.
October 2015 – Violetta unveiled ‘Women Of Colour’; a continuing portrait series of women who break the stereotypical mold of the Washingtonian professional. The collection of fashion inspired photography with a photojournalistic influence exhibited at The Monroe Trust Art Collective to a sold out opening reception.
March 2014 – The Fashion Group International of Greater Washington DC awarded Violetta the ‘Rising Star in Media/ Photography’ award.
Photo Empowerment Testimonials
Working with Violetta was an incredible experience. She is a true artist — not just someone who takes photos, but someone who really SEES people.
From start to finish the experience was creative, relaxed, and genuinely fun. The space was beautiful, the lighting was perfect, and she made me feel completely comfortable and confident throughout the process.
What stood out most was her energy. Her creativity and enthusiasm elevated the entire process, and it absolutely shows in the final images. If you’re looking for someone whose artistry and presence make the experience as powerful as the end result, I can’t recommend Violetta enough.
Violetta is our first call when it comes to capturing the essence of our clients and enhancing their image, always finding a way to exceed expectations. She is the consummate artist, who makes an intimate connection with her subject, opening them up to a world of visual possibilities. I can’t say enough about Violetta’s work. All you have to do is check out her portfolio!
“You only need to see a few of Violetta Markelou’s portraits to be convinced of her enormous talent. Violetta’s photographic gifts of exceptional lighting and camera skills are complemented by her authenticity through which she divines and then captures your essence beyond what you thought possible. In her generous and spontaneous assurances that awkward or uncomfortable feelings are natural, Violetta creates an environment that invites your true expressions. There were so many excellent photos, I had to select a few! Violetta Markelou is a photographer to watch, and is certainly one you will enjoy working with as you choose to update your personal and business portraits.“
“Violetta is both an extraordinarily gifted photographer and an absolute joy to work with. She put me at ease from the moment I met her, listened carefully to what I was looking for and the result of our photo session was a set of headshots that are- far and away- the very best photos I’ve ever had. She is simply the best of the best“
“I have now had the great fortune of Violetta photographing me twice. Being someone that has never put much time and importance into my physical presentation, I found her to be someone that instantly made me feel comfortable and safe. Not only did I love the photos that she took of me, I found both experiences deeply empowering, so much so that both photo shoots helped me embrace and manifest my best self. I really hope that Violetta can spread her perspective far and wide because she is a very magical and profound person.”
“Violetta is more than just a photographer—she’s a safe space within which any person can unfold and discover unknown sides to themselves. Her encouragement and questions helped me identify the essence of my business and how I wanted my business to be portrayed in photographs. Her confidence and experience gave me the courage to experiment and play. Ultimately, this joy was captured in every photograph of me.”
“Working with Violetta was pure magic and filled with so much joy and ease. She really heard my vision and my desire for no editing on my face skin and hair. She deeply understood and honored my requests. She is a breath of fresh air and so much fun to work with!
“Working with Violetta was not only fun but inspiring. I requested a nude/boudoir shoot and felt 100% comfortable and sexy at all times. She made me feel beautiful and even brought her own props which made the images that much more powerful. She has a unique sense for bold beauty, fashion and art. She inspired me to appreciate my body and celebrate it with all its imperfections. I totally recommend the experience to anyone looking to make art with a dedicated and gifted professional.
“There are simply not enough words to describe the elegance, strength, style and cool, calming energy Violetta exudes in everything she does. I never thought taking professional maternity photos was my style, especially with the medical challenges I faced through pregnancy. With how debilitated I was with morning sickness, taking photos was the last thing I wanted. However, I came upon a vision – instead of soft flowery field maternity photos – I wanted something bold & strong and I knew she could make it happen. My experience with Violetta was transformative. She took my vision to the next level and reminded me that being pregnant is one of the most empowering, beautiful and even sexiest things a woman can experience. My maternity photos are a constant reminder of my strength and endurance through all of the challenges I faced through pregnancy. I am forever grateful for Violetta’s vision and her tireless efforts to empower women in everything they do.”
“What a fantastic experience. Violetta is exceptionally talented and creative, and her work is what initially drew me to her studio. Professional and welcoming, we covered the plan then got right to work, accompanied by a stellar soundscape mix of her own DJ creation. Throughout our shoot, her excellent ability to provide clear direction as well as visual and verbal cues kept everything moving efficiently, and resulted in a collaborative, creative and very fun overall experience. Highly recommend!”
“Violetta is AMAZING! This is the first time I’ve ever enjoyed getting my headshots taken. She made me feel comfortable, confident and relaxed in front of the camera from start to finish. The final shots were better than I could have ever imagined – so good that I wanted every single image.
I cannot recommend Violetta enough as she absolutely went above and beyond – you will not regret working with her. Talented, professional and easy to work with: everything and more one would want from a photographer. Thank you, Violetta!!!”
“As someone who does not like being in front of a camera, I appreciated Violetta’s rare gift for putting people at ease. She pays careful attention to detail, made me feel comfortable and made the process fun. Most importantly, I really liked the result.”
“I loved working with Violetta and was truly impressed by her talent and artistry! She amplified the vision for the shoot with her creative direction, capturing amazing pictures. Her passion for photography made the shoot seamless and so much fun. Violetta is a pro. Shooting with her is a must!”