Kristina 18 is a story about the end of an important chapter, a time that once seemed endless but now exists only in fragments of memory. 18 is more than just a number. It's the age when I first picked up a camera, capturing the world around me, and it's also the day I was born. This book tells the story of the people and places that shaped my life in Ukraine, of a world that once felt unchanging. Some places lose their meaning without the people who once filled them, while some faces remain vivid even when time has erased the surroundings. This book is a quiet farewell to a time that has now slipped away. It's not just about what was, but about the echoes that stay with us--feelings, moments, and absences that shape who we become. This is an attempt to return to where it all began before letting go.

Dedicated to the friends we've lost.

Kristina Podobed Kristina Podobed, is a photographer born in Odesa in 1994, began her artistic journey in 2011. In her work, she explores the theme of the body and its naturalness, capturing sincere and unposed moments. Her approach combines intimacy and documentary style, creating vivid and sensual images. Kristina's photographs can be compared to poetry--they evoke emotions, immerse viewers in deep experiences, and reveal new dimensions of perception. Like poetry, her images captivate with their honesty and depth, inviting the audience to reflect on vulnerability, self-expression, and the nuances of human experience. Her work stands out for its ability to blend intimacy with openness while maintaining naturalness, attention to detail, and the sincerity of captured emotions. Now Kristina is based in Paris, where she lives with her son and husband and continues creating raw, honest and sometimes mind-challenging imagery.