Elena Zhukova, MFA Graduate of School of Photography, grew up feeling as if her hometown in Siberia lacked color and imagination so she ventured to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco to turn her ideas into a photographic reality. Her background is unique, characterized by work in both science and the visual arts. These influences allow her to create both highly dramatic imagery and photos that retain a sense of realism in portraying the lives of her subjects and their work. Elena graduated in 2013 with a Presidential Scholarship from the Academy of Art University's MFA Photography program and many awards and high-profile commercial contracts on her resume. In 2016, she received a distinguished alumni award in recognition of her contributions and excellence in the field of photography. Her client list includes the University of California Office of the President, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSF, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, UC Medical Centers, Stanford University, Panavision, Monster Products, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Academy of Art University, Stony Brook University, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Port of San Francisco, Roaming Hunger, Wicked Kitchen, US Marines, Loyola Law School, Accel Partners.