Meet Oksana Butovska | Model, Photographer, UGC creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Oksana Butovska and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Oksana, why did you pursue a creative career?
Since childhood, my parents enrolled me in various extracurricular activities: dance, drawing, puppet theater, bead weaving, and many more. Of course, they also signed me up for a modeling school. I was a favorite among photographers from an early age and even won a beauty contest, earning the title of “Mini Model.”

In middle school, I got my first camera and started photographing everything around me—cats, butterflies, my friends, and relatives. I loved capturing moments and creating something unique. But one day, my camera was stolen, and I couldn’t afford a new one. Despite this, my passion for creativity never faded, and I started considering applying to an art college.

After finishing school, I planned to study art, but things turned out differently, and I ended up in a physics and mathematics class. Numbers fascinated me just as much as creativity, and I could spend hours solving complex problems.

When it came time to choose a profession, I decided that becoming an artist was not my destiny and enrolled in a computer science program. I eventually earned a master’s degree, but the most interesting part is that I never worked a single day in my field.

Even during my school years, photographers began to notice me and invite me to photoshoots. My unique appearance—red hair and freckles all over my body—caught people’s attention. The photos turned out stunning, and thanks to social media (back in 2010), my pictures started gaining popularity. I received more and more invitations for photoshoots, and by the time I was in university, I was already earning money as a model, participating in shoots for brands, music videos, commercials, and workshops.

When I tried to get a job in my field, I quickly realized that sitting at a computer for six hours a day was not for me. After all, I had the opportunity to work for myself, try on different looks, travel the world, and do what truly inspires me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My creativity is a process of self-expression and discovering new facets of myself. I’m proud that with each project, I become more confident, and each new experience in photography or creating UGC reveals me in a new way. I strive to show not just outer beauty, but also the emotions that can be expressed through the image and atmosphere of the shoot. My style is a blend of creativity, passion, and sincerity.

What sets me apart is the desire to work for myself and build my own career, rather than follow standard paths. I’m proud that I can be not only a model but also a content creator, producing something unique.

Achievements didn’t come easily. Moving to the US and starting from scratch wasn’t simple. But I’ve learned to listen to myself, and every challenge became a lesson: patience, persistence, and self-belief always lead to results.

My brand is a story of self-development, passion, and sincerity, where each step in creativity brings me closer to self-realization.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1:
Start the day at South Beach, enjoy the sun and take a swim in the ocean.
Take a stroll along Ocean Drive, soaking in the atmosphere, and have dinner at a seafood restaurant like Joe’s Stone Crab.

Day 2:
Visit Vizcaya Villa, a beautiful historic house with stunning gardens.
Head to Cape Florida Lighthouse and take a walk through Crandon Park, which is one of the most beautiful beaches in South Florida, surrounded by coconut palms. There’s also a park nearby with peacocks and even crocodiles.

Day 3:
Take a trip to Everglades National Park. Along the way, stop at an alligator farm and take an airboat tour through the swamps. For those seeking extra adventure, you can even stay overnight at a campsite in the park.

Day 4:
Visit the Wynwood Walls, known for its vibrant street art. Explore the Perez Art Museum and enjoy the art exhibits.
Take a walk through Downtown Miami at night to see the city lights and vibe.

Day 5:
Take a tour through Little Havana. If you visit in March, don’t miss the Calle Ocho carnival.
Enjoy dinner at Versailles, the famous Cuban restaurant, where you can savor authentic Cuban cuisine.

Day 6
For those who love shopping, spend the day at the Design District, where you’ll find stylish shops, galleries, and cafes.

Day 7:
Spend the day yachting, taking in the views of the city from the water and enjoying the fresh air.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Of course, I would like to thank my parents, who, despite my truancy in school and university, never scolded me for going to photoshoots and being a model. In the small town where I grew up, photography and modeling seemed like something straight out of a movie, but they supported me in this choice.

I am also grateful to every photographer, stylist, and makeup artist I’ve worked with because each one has revealed a new side of me. Each photoshoot helped me overcome my inner complexes and become more confident in myself.

A special thank you goes to my husband, Mykola Novikov, a world-class talented photographer. His support and inspiration help me through creative crises and reveal new aspects of me. I’m proud of our partnership and how we create something amazing together.

Website: https://butovska.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oksana_butovskaya/