NICOLE MEDIN
Updated: 07/09/2023
Photography has taken me into many different spaces, but certain stories stay with me longer than others. Over time, one name has appeared repeatedly in my work: Nicole Medin.
Nicole is a singer, artist, and model, but her work goes far beyond performance. She has been actively involved in raising funds and awareness for Ukraine since the outbreak of the war. This page explores how our paths crossed, the work we’ve created together, and the journey that continues to shape both my practice and her story.
Nicole is a soprano soloist from Trowbridge with Ukrainian and Spanish heritage. Since the beginning of the war, she has taken part in over 40 fundraising events, appeared in multiple radio interviews, and joined anti-war protests in support of Ukraine.
Her creative path began early. From the age of eight, she studied piano and opera under a Russian pianist and performed in opera concerts for over a decade. Alongside music, she also expressed herself through politically driven paintings. After the invasion of Ukraine, Nicole began performing Ukrainian music publicly — something that had previously been discouraged — using her voice as a way to raise funds and support those affected by the war.
Nicole is a singer, artist, and model, but her work goes far beyond performance. She has been actively involved in raising funds and awareness for Ukraine since the outbreak of the war. This page explores how our paths crossed, the work we’ve created together, and the journey that continues to shape both my practice and her story.
Nicole is a soprano soloist from Trowbridge with Ukrainian and Spanish heritage. Since the beginning of the war, she has taken part in over 40 fundraising events, appeared in multiple radio interviews, and joined anti-war protests in support of Ukraine.
Her creative path began early. From the age of eight, she studied piano and opera under a Russian pianist and performed in opera concerts for over a decade. Alongside music, she also expressed herself through politically driven paintings. After the invasion of Ukraine, Nicole began performing Ukrainian music publicly — something that had previously been discouraged — using her voice as a way to raise funds and support those affected by the war.
I first met Nicole at a Ukrainian Christmas event at St Margaret’s Hall in Bradford-on-Avon. I attended the event as part of my project, photographing the celebration and connecting with people within the community.
During the evening, Nicole performed traditional Ukrainian songs. Her presence and voice stood out, and I photographed her performance as it unfolded. That moment marked the beginning of our collaboration.
Ukrainian Christmas Event - Click Here
We later met at her home for a photoshoot, choosing the location for comfort during the cold winter months. I photographed Nicole both in everyday clothing and in traditional Ukrainian outfits. Each piece had been handmade by her aunt, with designs carrying personal and cultural meaning.
During the shoot, we spoke about our work and upcoming projects. Nicole mentioned an upcoming fundraising concert at Bath Abbey and asked if I would be interested in photographing the event. From there, our collaboration developed naturally — through shared creative interests, continued conversations, and future plans.
During the evening, Nicole performed traditional Ukrainian songs. Her presence and voice stood out, and I photographed her performance as it unfolded. That moment marked the beginning of our collaboration.
Ukrainian Christmas Event - Click Here
We later met at her home for a photoshoot, choosing the location for comfort during the cold winter months. I photographed Nicole both in everyday clothing and in traditional Ukrainian outfits. Each piece had been handmade by her aunt, with designs carrying personal and cultural meaning.
During the shoot, we spoke about our work and upcoming projects. Nicole mentioned an upcoming fundraising concert at Bath Abbey and asked if I would be interested in photographing the event. From there, our collaboration developed naturally — through shared creative interests, continued conversations, and future plans.
Back story:
In March 2022, Nicole attended a protest where she reconnected with her former Russian examiner, Zhenya. Shortly after, she was invited to sing at fundraising events and began performing publicly in support of Ukraine. Her first performance outside Bath Abbey took place in April 2022.
By December, Nicole was invited to organise and perform in a full concert at Bath Abbey to raise funds for generators for Oleksandriya. The months leading up to the concert were filled with rehearsals, meetings, promotional shoots, and planning. On January 5, 2023, The Friends of Oleksandriya charity officially formed, with Nicole becoming a member.
The concert on February 24, 2023 — marking one year since the invasion — sold out all 800 seats. A total of £36,000 was raised through ticket sales and donations, funding generators for the General and Children’s Hospital in Oleksandriya.
Bath Abbey Concert - Click Here
In March 2022, Nicole attended a protest where she reconnected with her former Russian examiner, Zhenya. Shortly after, she was invited to sing at fundraising events and began performing publicly in support of Ukraine. Her first performance outside Bath Abbey took place in April 2022.
By December, Nicole was invited to organise and perform in a full concert at Bath Abbey to raise funds for generators for Oleksandriya. The months leading up to the concert were filled with rehearsals, meetings, promotional shoots, and planning. On January 5, 2023, The Friends of Oleksandriya charity officially formed, with Nicole becoming a member.
The concert on February 24, 2023 — marking one year since the invasion — sold out all 800 seats. A total of £36,000 was raised through ticket sales and donations, funding generators for the General and Children’s Hospital in Oleksandriya.
Bath Abbey Concert - Click Here
Nicole’s performance outfits are created by her aunt and relatives in Lviv. Nicole designs each vyshyvanka herself, and her family carefully brings those designs to life.
Each embroidered piece carries symbolic meaning, and performing in them adds emotional weight to her concerts. Nicole has spoken about how her aunt continued embroidering during air raid sirens to ensure the costumes were finished.
“My family is stronger than I’ll ever be.”
Each embroidered piece carries symbolic meaning, and performing in them adds emotional weight to her concerts. Nicole has spoken about how her aunt continued embroidering during air raid sirens to ensure the costumes were finished.
“My family is stronger than I’ll ever be.”
Following the Bath Abbey concert, Nicole performed at several more events, including the Green Man Festival and additional fundraising concerts supporting medical supplies, vans, and aid for Ukrainian soldiers.
Our professional relationship continued to grow. When another photographer was unavailable for a fashion shoot in Bristol, Nicole contacted me to step in. Having already worked together, there was a shared trust and understanding that made the collaboration seamless.
Our professional relationship continued to grow. When another photographer was unavailable for a fashion shoot in Bristol, Nicole contacted me to step in. Having already worked together, there was a shared trust and understanding that made the collaboration seamless.
Ukrainian Easter event - Click Here
Green Man Festival - Click Here
Fundraising - Click Here
St Lukes Church - Click Here
Clothing Buisness Blog - Click Here
Green Man Festival - Click Here
Fundraising - Click Here
St Lukes Church - Click Here
Clothing Buisness Blog - Click Here
Meeting Nicole unexpectedly changed the direction of my project — and my practice. Through documenting her performances and working alongside her, new opportunities opened that I hadn’t planned for.
Beyond photography, this collaboration led to meaningful connections, creative growth, and my involvement with The Friends of Oleksandriya charity. What began as documentation became a shared journey built on trust, purpose, and mutual support.
Looking back, I’m grateful for that first meeting and everything that followed. This work continues to shape who I am as a photographer — and as a person.
Beyond photography, this collaboration led to meaningful connections, creative growth, and my involvement with The Friends of Oleksandriya charity. What began as documentation became a shared journey built on trust, purpose, and mutual support.
Looking back, I’m grateful for that first meeting and everything that followed. This work continues to shape who I am as a photographer — and as a person.