Yorkshire Village photographers’ work represented at Philadelphia arts festival this weekend.
By: John Dunphy
When you love something, you stick with it forever.
With that mindset, Yorkshire Village residents Igor Svibilsky and Olga Sergyeyeva took their love of pictures and established Photography Forever in 2003, a company to promote their work.
This weekend, their work also will be promoted and offered for sale at the Paradise City Arts Festival in Philadelphia. The festival, called "the most selective show" at the organization’s Web site, www.paradisecityarts.com, features fine and functional art from all over the country.
Mr. Svibilsky and Ms. Sergyeyeva, who have been married nine years, moved from the Ukraine to the United States in 1998. They’ve been interested in photography most of their lives, though the idea to offer it to the rest of the world came relatively recently.
"It was just a family thing, it wasn’t for anybody else," said Ms. Sergyeyeva, 50, a professional translator. "But, we got a new opportunity here. We could work, travel and see more things. When you come to another country, it’s different."
It was that move nearly a decade ago to the United States that further pushed the couple to stretch their photographic muscles. "We wanted to share this experience with our friends and family in the Ukraine," Ms. Sergyeyeva said.
"When I got my first camera at age 7, I used it as a primary media expression," said Mr. Svibilsky, 43, who works for PNC Financial. "It’s difficult to explain, that magic when you create something in a dark room."
While the photographers have utilized digital cameras for the last seven years, that magic still exists, they said. "I’m framing everything I see," Ms. Sergyeyeva said. "My eyes work like a viewfinder. Every time, I think, ‘Would it be suitable to take a picture from this angle or that angle?’ It comes natural."
The couple has never had formal education in photography, choosing to teach themselves through books and, of course, taking pictures. "It has been a continuous study. Every time something new comes, we’re improving and becoming better," Ms. Sergyeyeva added.
Much of the couple’s work is landscapes, many taken from this area. Others were taken during various nature trips. Last year, inspiration came from a pair of trips, to Oregon and a "fall foliage trip" through New York state.
While both photographers focus primarily on landscapes, their styles differ Mr. Svibilsky’s work tends to be in subdued black and white and sepia tones; Ms. Sergyeyeva’s work in full, sometimes dramatic, color.
According to Mr. Svibilsky at their Web site, www.photographyforever.com, the photographer says he feels the camera alone doesn’t convey enough emotion, which is why he combines his photos with two-dimensional art, which involves utilizing "digital paintbrushes." Armed with these brushes, Mr. Svibilsky "paints for hours creating the artwork that speaks to the viewer and demands an emotional response."
Ms. Sergyeyeva post-processes her photos in a digital darkroom, which she said gives her work a "painting-like effect."
"My work represents my artistic vision, not necessarily reflecting the reality," she says on the Web site. "I love subjects whose existence is transitory, where there is no possibility of returning for a re-shoot foggy mornings, running water, fall colors."
Photography Forever has seen recent success. Last year, the company began working with Image Conscious, a fine art poster publication and distribution company, and now four of Mr. Svibilsky’s prints, "Fog III," "Forever Spring," "Harmony in Fog" and "The Old Bridge" can be purchased through several online vendors, including allposters.com, postershop.com and art.com.
Mr. Svibilsky said about 50 framed pieces and 100 unframed pieces will be available to buy at the show this weekend, with prices ranging from $50 to $1,000.
While Photography Forever has appeared at several local shows, Mr. Svibilsky said the Paradise City Arts Company show brings thousands of people, meaning thousands of opportunities for his and Ms. Sergyeyeva’s work to be noticed, and hopefully, purchased.
"It’s the first time (the show is being held) in Philadelphia," he said. "They found this very beautiful environment in the center of Philadelphia. They have high expectations."
While photography remains a strong passion for the couple, Mr. Svibilsky said Photography Forever is still a labor of love. "Unfortunately, photography doesn’t pay the bills. But, I think we started it in the right way. You cannot just jump immediately into the world and realize it was too early."
For more information about the work of Igor Svibilsky and Olga Sergyeyeva, visit www.photographyforever.com. For more information about the Paradise City Arts Festival, running March 30, 31 and April 1 in Philadelphia, visit www.paradisecityarts.com.

