Natalia Gorshkova

My name is Natalia Gorshkova. I’m from Russia, where I was born in the Ural region. I now live in Siberia. I’ve been interested in photography since I was a child. When I was at school, I used to take pictures of my friends with a simple amateur camera, but it wasn’t until I turned thirty that I started taking photography seriously.

My project is about people who have faced difficult circumstances in life but refuse to give up. They do everything they can to rebuild their lives and find new meaning in their changed circumstances. Surgery, long periods of rehabilitation, depression, and moments of despair have all been part of their journeys. Yet sport has given them a way to move forward and face their challenges. They chose basketball, a physically demanding sport that has become much more than a competition for them. Every time they step onto the court, it feels like a challenge to fate. They are there to fight, to push themselves, and to win.

The series features wheelchair basketball players from Russian teams. I photographed them between 2018 and 2022, during their preparations for the All-Russian Wheelchair Basketball Tournament and throughout the competitions themselves.

It was important to me to bring attention to subjects that are often overlooked, including sports for people with disabilities. As a photographer, I wanted to create images that would help people understand how much effort, patience, and determination lie behind every victory. I didn’t want to portray disability simply as a limitation. Instead, I wanted to show the strength and abilities of these athletes, qualities that may not always be apparent at first glance.

As I worked on the project, I became close to the athletes and developed friendships with some of them. Seeing their passion for the sport and how much time and energy they devoted to it was deeply moving. For me, it gradually became more than just a photography project. It was an opportunity to get to know people whose lives and experiences had so much to teach me.

I wanted to show that our bodies, with all their characteristics and limitations, do not define everything we are. There is so much more to a person than their physical appearance or condition. I don’t believe physical injuries should determine the quality of someone’s life or decide how far they can go. I hope these photographs encourage people to look beyond appearances and see these athletes, first and foremost, for who they are and what they can achieve.

Of course, working on this project wasn’t always easy. The most challenging part for me was becoming emotionally involved in the athletes’ personal stories. Listening to them talk about their injuries, struggles, and the difficult paths they had taken made it impossible to remain indifferent. The project affected me deeply and taught me a great deal, both personally and professionally.

The work was also physically demanding. I spent long hours at competitions, and afterward came the time-consuming process of selecting and editing the photographs. Still, I have never regretted taking on this project. I put a great deal of time, effort, and love into telling these stories. I’m genuinely grateful to the athletes for trusting me and allowing me to share a part of their lives with others.

I’ve always felt that a good photograph should be like a good story. Simply capturing an event isn’t enough; an image should make people feel something, think about something, or see a situation differently. I want my photographs to communicate more than what is immediately visible. For me, photography becomes meaningful when an image conveys not only what happened but also the emotions and ideas behind it.

I’m especially drawn to stories about people who face difficulties and find the strength to carry on. I want my photographs to do more than document their experiences. I hope they can offer encouragement and remind others that difficult circumstances don’t necessarily mark the end of the road. Sometimes, seeing someone else overcome a challenge can help us believe that change is possible in our own lives. I think photography has that kind of power. It can bring people closer, inspire them, and offer hope when it is needed most.

Inspiration can come from almost anywhere. I find it in films, paintings, books, and music, as well as in my own experiences. Throughout my professional journey, I’ve also met wonderful photographers who have helped me with their advice, knowledge, and practical support. I try to stay open to new ideas and appreciate hearing different perspectives. I’m sincerely grateful to everyone who has shared their experience with me and helped me grow as a photographer.

I was absolutely delighted when I saw my name on the list of winners at the Golden Shot Photography Awards. Reaching the final stage of a major international competition is already a wonderful achievement, so winning first place made the experience even more special. It was a moment of genuine happiness for me.

At the same time, I don’t think photography competitions are only about awards and recognition. They’re also opportunities to discover other photographers’ work, exchange ideas, meet new people, and learn from one another. Seeing your own photographs alongside the work of others can help you recognize your strengths and weaknesses and look at your work more critically. These experiences can broaden your creative horizons and encourage you to move beyond what feels familiar. I believe that kind of exchange is an important part of growing as a photographer.

My advice to photographers who are thinking about entering international competitions is simple: don’t be afraid to try, and believe in yourself. Submit your work instead of spending too much time doubting whether it’s good enough. Don’t create unnecessary obstacles for yourself or wait until everything feels perfect before taking the first step. Keep doing what you love, continue developing your skills, and move forward. I sincerely hope that photographers everywhere have the opportunity to share their work with a wider audience, receive the recognition they deserve, and achieve the goals they’ve worked so hard for.