Meet Vira Aguirre | Product Photographer

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

Hi Vira, how do you think about risk?
Risk, for me, is why I am here today. I was born and raised in Ukraine, and nine years ago, I decided to start my life from scratch. I applied for a work visa in the U.S., and in late 2015, I went to the embassy to get it. If you’re not familiar, the odds of approval were very slim, and several factors suggested I might not get it. But I knew deep in my heart I had to at least try, so I kept telling myself, “If it’s meant to be, it will be.” I was stressed—because who doesn’t feel stressed when taking a risk, right? I answered all the questions they asked, and when I heard them say, “Congratulations,” I had to ask them to repeat it, as I could not believe my ears!

Five days later, I was on a plane with one suitcase, $100 in my pocket, and big dreams. I had very little idea of where I was going, no friends, and no family there. I only knew what kind of job I’d be doing, but I believed this step would open so many doors in my life.

The U.S. is a country of endless opportunities, and I first learned this when I visited during my school years. Did I dream about living here? No, but life took an unexpected turn, and with the war in my country, I had to make a choice and leave. I knew that if this didn’t work out, I’d have a home to go back to, and that was comforting, but I am not someone who gives up easily.

“You will never know if you never try” is my motto for decisions like this, and it applied to my choice to leave corporate work to pursue my passion in product photography. I took the risk knowing very little about running a business, and believe it or not, that’s still a work in progress.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It was not easy at all to get to where I am today, but CAT IN THE SOUP STUDIO is the result of my persistence and my refusal to give up on my dreams!

I used to have a full-time job, and I would spend all my spare time in my studio, creating something—whether it was food photography or skincare. I practiced using everything I had in the house. When I started reaching out to brands, I faced a lot of rejection—a lot! For someone just starting out, it was very hard to deal with. I knew I wasn’t asking for much; all I offered was a few free images in exchange for their products because I was so eager to build my portfolio. Did I give up? Clearly not!

After a few years of trial and error, learning from every experience, and constantly improving my craft, today I am where I am, and I am who I am because I love being creative and knowing that my art brings not only joy but also real value.

I specialize in creating vibrant, professional product photography that helps brands truly stand out. Every shot is carefully crafted to make products look irresistible—almost like candy! My goal is to capture the essence of each brand in a way that’s eye-catching, unique, and memorable. Whether it’s a fresh skincare line or any other crafted item, I ensure that each product is showcased with personality and style, tailored to each brand’s story and values.

Through my work, I aim to elevate brands by giving them the high-quality visuals they need to succeed in today’s competitive market. Exceptional product photography isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a powerful marketing tool that builds trust, strengthens brand identity, and ultimately drives sales. By making products look their best, I help my clients attract their ideal audience, enhance their brand presence, and create lasting impressions that lead to growth and success.

At Cat in the Soup Studio, every photo tells a story, and I’m passionate about making each one count.

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?
In fact, my best friend does visit quite often, but we usually don’t have a whole week—we do weekend getaways. I always take her to the mountains. We start in Denver, of course, dining at our favorite steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris, then either stay overnight or drive straight to the mountains. We’ve spent quite a few weekends in Estes Park, renting a cute cabin with a hot tub (a must for girls’ trips!). I always take her hiking—also a must-do when in Colorado, right? I love Rocky Mountain National Park. Even though it can be tricky to get into during summer, I always manage.

If it’s winter, we spend time skiing. This year was her first time, and she loved it so much that she’s already planning to come back.

But let’s say she comes for a week-long trip—I would, without a doubt, take her to Telluride. I spent an entire summer there when I first visited the U.S. during my school years, and I’ve been in love with Colorado ever since. I’d take her hiking to either Hope Lake or Blue Lakes, and we’d ride the gondola back and forth. Telluride has so many festivals, so I’d probably plan the trip around one of those. And for dining, the choices are endless! Everywhere I’ve eaten in Telluride has been amazing, but if we’re doing a fancy night out, it would be at Allred’s Restaurant

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would definitely say that the one person who has always been there for me from day one is my husband! Of all people, he supports me like no one else. Even though, with my growing social media presence, I meet incredible people who inspire me too, my husband is the one who sees all my work first, before my clients do. As a non-photographer, he gives me valuable feedback, helps me with communication (English is not my first language), and has the patience to listen to my endless “photography” stories. He’s the one who brings balance to my life. Without him, I would probably be in my studio 24/7—seriously!

Website: https://catinthesoupstudio.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vira-aguirre-b47088319/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catinthesoupstudio

Image Credits
My personal photo was taken by Bailee Campbell from Raw Honey Photo