NEW MEMBER PROFILE // In Yulia Gorbachenko's Photography, Pleasure Produces Perfection

Yulia Gorbachenko was well on her way to a career in marketing when a birthday gift that changed everything. Having graduated with a marketing degree from the Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics, she scored an internship in the United States and was excited about entering the professional world. "During the internship I began to wonder if marketing was something I really wanted to devote my life to," she says. It was then that she received that gift: a Canon Rebel XS.

It quickly became clear that photography was what she really wanted to pursue. "I spent all my spare time photographing, editing, reading about photography, and basically, breathing photography," she says. "I slowly understood that photography was the thing I enjoyed more than anything else." It soon became clear that she was a natural. "I won’t deny that I was pretty good as a beginner and that fact made me even more confident that I found my place," she says. "I actually got so good at it that the company I was working for hired me to photograph their main shows instead of dealing with marketing, which was the initial job I was intended to do. In that point I realized that I found my real passion in life."

Read more about Gorbachenko and feast your eyes on her dazzling photographs after the jump.

With her dream coming into focus, Gorbachenko packed her bags and headed to New York, where she's made it a reality. She's worked with a variety of prominent modeling agencies, and her work has been featured in many major publications, including Harper's Bazaar Ukraine, Marie Claire China and PDN. She's also been recognized multiple times in the International Photography Awards, as well as in many other major competitions. In 2010 she signed with JUMP Management, which recently connected her with a major beauty company for an exciting collaboration later this year.

A look at Gorbachenko's work makes it obvious that she's a jaw-droppingly talented photographer, but her extraordinary use of color is particularly remarkable. "For me colors are as important in my works as composition and cropping, they simply draw the eye of the viewer," she says. "Colors can change the mood of the story dramatically so they give me an amazing opportunity to bring the mood that I want to my pictures."

She's found 3rd Ward to be the perfect home base for a career that requires a large studio but also frequently takes her overseas. The space is there when she needs it and doesn't go to waste when she is away. She was also drawn to the friendly atmosphere. "When I first entered 3rd Ward I felt at home," she says. "The people were cool and nice, and the great design immediately caught my attention."

If you're looking for proof that pursuing your true passion is a worthy goal, you'd have a hard time finding an example better than Gorbachenko's story. "Aristotle said that 'pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work,'" she says, "and I agree with every word.

In addition to her professional work, Gorbachenko will also be traveling to Russia and Ukraine in February to teach master classes on fashion and beauty photography. She's also planning workshops in New York and Washington, DC, so stay tuned to her Facebook page and website if you're interested.

And now for more of her stunning images:

-- John Ruscher

NEW MEMBER WELCOME // Noah Wall Takes Web Design To The Next Level

Noah WallWe're thrilled to introduce you to one of our new co-working desk members, web designer extraordinaire Noah Wall.

Wall started the cleverly named Knowawall in 2007, and his company quickly established itself as a leading name in creative and cutting-edge design. Clients have included iconic filmmaker David Lynch and renowned artist Maya Lin. Knowawall's website for Lynch's Interview Project received two Webby Awards for Best Documentary Series.

Working on such high-profile projects has been a unique and valuable experience. "I'm so lucky to have worked with some really talented folks," Wall says. "Many of our clients are so heavily invested in their own work that it can feel a bit like cradling someone else's child sometimes. There's also a lot of opportunity for close collaboration which I've definitely benefited from as a designer."

With plenty of impressive work under his belt, Wall has recently been taking a break from web design to focus on some personal projects, particularly his music. In September he released the album Hèloïse and created 38 Figures In Hiding, a scavenger hunt throughout New York City to promote it. "I hid 38 copies of the LP and cassette all over the city," he explains. "The locations of each corresponded to points on the Manhattan grid that, when connected, spelled out the name of the album." The project naturally attracted lots of attention, including a feature on WIRED.

Wall tells us that he has more musical projects in the works, including a couple of videos and "a 'memory catalyst' EP that includes scratch and sniff packaging for triggering memories."

Luckily, he hasn't abandoned his design exporations. "In the web world I've been trying to focus less on custom sites and pursue some web apps geared toward 'creatives,'" he says. "These ideas have been brewing for a while and should finally see the light of day in 2012!"

Either way, let's extend a hand to to Wall for taking the initiative to make these things happen. We think he'll prove a vital addition to our new co-working space.

-- John Ruscher

NEW MEMBER PROFILE // Gary Boas Explores The Cutting Edge of Science and Technology

Gary Boas at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas.

Freelancer writer, editor and web content developer Gary Boas has been working remotely for years, but now you'll find him in our new top-of-the-line coworking space. "While the home office thing has its advantages, it has glaring disadvantages as well," he says. "Namely, it's totally isolating."

In the past Boas has longed to break from that isolation, but that's difficult to do when you work independently:

"I've toyed with setting up a water cooler in my house and inviting people in off the street to chat about who won American Idol or whatever," he says. "In the end I decided joining something like 3rd Ward was a much better idea."

Boas works primarily in the sciences. "I'm an editor with a trade journal devoted to the biomedical applications of optics, for example, and the webmaster with a biomedical imaging center at Mass General Hospital in Boston," he explains.

He recently wrapped up work on a feature article about the "far-flung future" of optics technology, which he says "is probably at least slightly more interesting than it sounds. I'm looking at technologies currently being developed for military (laser weapons), automotive (self-driving cars) and organic LED (designer lighting) applications." He's also participating in National Novel Writing Month. "I'm not writing a novel, per se, but rather what I lovingly call 'my memoirs'—a collection of stories from a year I spent hobo-ing around the US, with occasional incursions into Mexico and Ireland."

On top of being able to interact with others during his work day, Boas was also attracted to our coworking space by the range of people and ideas. "I like 3rd Ward specifically for the mix of people and the variety of activities you'll find here," he says.

Want to check out some of Boas' work? Try "Photonics in Space: Optics-based instruments will help crack the mysteries of the cosmos," an amazing cover story for Photonics Spectra, or this entertain article about past ideas of what the future would look like.

-- John Ruscher

NEW MEMBER WELCOME // Jacob Ruch's Salvaged Materials + Beautiful Furniture

Photo by Drew Kelly.Having recently moved to Brooklyn from California, designer and furniture maker Jacob Ruch didn't have to think much about where he'd continue his work.

"3rd Ward was a no-brainer with its well tooled wood and metal shops, and its surplus of creative energy," he says. "I was able to start taking commissions as soon as I touched down, and have already found inspiration in all the interesting work going on around me."

Working under the name REASON (inspired by his great uncle Reason Ruch), Ruch avoids waste in his designs, using salvaged materials and working with limited resources. "I try to keep it simple and clean, and push the boundaries of the 'reclaimed look,'" he says.

This approach gives his furniture both simple, refined beauty and a wealth of character.

Right now Ruch is working on a new line of wood and steel beds. "I do custom work, and I'm pushing to refine concepts for wider distribution," he says.

Take a look at some of Ruch's REASON furniture after the jump and keep up with his latest news and work on his website.

NEW MEMBER WELCOME // Albert Wilking Sails NYC's streets

Say hello to one of our newest members, Albert Wilking.

Wilking makes interactive and educational art experiences, and one of his most recent endeavors has been a massive mobile piece for the Pirate Fiesta, which has recently participated in the Mermaid Parade at Coney Island and the Gay Pride Parade in the West Village.

Wilking's current approach began with some donation boxes that he created for the Figment Project on Governors Island last year. "I saw my art being interacted with and collecting money for an altruistic purpose and it changed me," he says. "Previously I had been expecting that my art would be seen in a museum or with my videos they would win the big prize. Now that doesn't matter to me. If people interact with my work and they enjoy it, that's enough for me!"

"3rd Ward has a good number of really creative people that also know their stuff," Wilking says. "It's really nice to share and help each other; it's a learning experience from beginning to end!"

Wilking's pirate vessel involves a lot of ingenuity. "It's about 10' tall and 10' long when assembled and yet it still fits into the back of the car," he says. "None of its parts are longer than 48", making it a real challenge to have a modular safe seaworthy vessel."

Check out a photo of Wilking's vessel after the jump and look for future voyages on the Pirate Fiesta's Facebook page.

NEW MEMBER WELCOME // Moe Rosen Brings the Funny

Moe Rosen is one of our newest co-working members, but he's been in New York for around a decade, working on "a variety of funny things."

A self-described "Canadian comedian-type," Rosen co-hosts "The Moe and Mary Show," a live call-in show on Manhattan cable access every Friday from 6-6:30pm that is now in its sixth year. Watch in on channel 56 at mmn.org.

Right now Rosen is working on a one-man show about changing his name, which he can legally do when he gets his U.S. citizenship in just a few days, on June 17.

And how did he find out about us? "The way I arrived at 3rd Ward must remain a secret," he says.

Mysterious! Whatever the reason, if you see him around, make sure to congratulate him on his new membership and impending citizenship.

Check out Rosen in this sort of amazing AirTran spot (he's on the right in blue):

NEW MEMBER WELCOME // Say Hello to Cinematographer Clemens Krüger

We're excited to introduce cinematographer Clemens Krüger, who has arrived in New York and at 3rd Ward alongside his frequent collaborator, Vincent Urban (more on him here). Like Urban, Krüger got started by making skateboarding and snowboarding movies, but he then moved on to work on short and feature films in Germany.

Lately Krüger has been working with Urban on commercial productions as well as a new passion: travel films. Last year they shipped their friend's Land Rover to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and spent two months traveling through Thailand, Laos and Cambobia, capturing the trip on their DSLRs. Check that video out here.

The pair have also been supporting themselves by editing short tourism clips for the region of South Tyrol in Northern Italy. They are looking to connect with other filmmakers in New York, so check out their stuff and get in touch!

Here's Krüger's terrific showreel (feast your eyes on more over on his Vimeo page):

NEW MEMBER WELCOME // Say Hello to Shana Schnur, Fashion Photographer

We're thrilled to introduce one of 3rd Ward's newest members, Shana Schnur!

A professional photographer working on fashion and other commercial projects, Schnur graduated from the School of Visual Arts last year. She collaborates with partner David Manning, and you can take a look at some of their work at shanaschnur.com.

Schnur is currently putting together a lookbook for the upcoming Fall & Winter Collection of NYC-based jewelry brand Auden Design. "Right now we're working to pick the right model, and will be holding a go-see at 3rd Ward with Auden in a week or two," she says.

"One of the biggest things that drew us to 3rd Ward is that it's a local community, not a big anonymous photo studio that exists to pad their bottom line," Schnur says. She's also excited about the possibilities that a 3rd Ward membership will open up, including the freedom to pursue exciting projects that may not have immediate financial payoff. In addition to her work with Auden, she has plans for a couple avant-garde shoots, as well as one that "combines themes from old sci-fi, high fashion, and contemporary cultural trends."

Sounds awesome.

Meanwhile, here's some of Schnur's work:

-- John Ruscher