Hello!
I’m Daria Kharchenko, a visual artist and fine art dog photographer based in Estoril, Portugal. I specialise in creating timeless images that celebrate the soul and unique character of dogs and their humans.
Inspired by my Japanese wolf Kiba, film photography, art, travel and the poetry of everyday life, I create photographs that feel light, serene and deeply personal. For me, each dog is the protagonist of a poetic story that I tell with my camera and my artistic vision.
Whether it’s a tranquil walk, an intimate portrait of the bond between dogs and their people, or a thoughtfully crafted brand campaign, my goal is to create fine art that reflects the essence of your story.
My philosophy
For me, photography is not just a craft - it is a way of seeing, communicating with the world and telling stories.
It’s a way to honour the beauty, feelings and quiet impact that dogs bring into our lives. As a visual artist who works with dogs, I believe they are more than companions. They are family, trusted friends, a source of warmth and support, and soulful beings who shape the way we move through the world.
I approach every session with careful attention to each dog and human I photograph, letting their character shape the story we create together. Inspired by timeless aesthetics and the visual poetry of everyday life, I aim to create fine art images that feel calm, atmospheric and intimate, while revealing the emotional core of every story I am trusted to tell.
My partner in crime
Kiba, my Japanese wolf and Shiba Inu, is at the heart of both my life and my work. He is my endless source of inspiration, my muse and my quiet colleague on almost every creative project.
He was the wish I made at a Japanese temple in Kyoto during one of the darkest periods of my life, a time marked by loss and sorrow. When we finally met, he helped me heal, gently piecing my heart back together and bringing light back into my days.
Kiba didn’t just change my life. He brought me back to art and photography and helped turn them into my life’s work. Inspired Wolf was named in his honour. Kiba is the heart behind everything I create and more than a dog to me - he feels like a part of my soul.