Vilija Skubute photography

Vilija Skubute photography Photographer in Manchester, England. Specialising in portraits, headshots, and personal branding.

Vilija adopted a unique style of portrait photography which not only focuses on the aesthetics and beauty of the woman but attempts to search deeper and show the sense of the subject's being. Her portraits have an ethereal quality which have quickly established her as a sought after portrait photographer for both personal and professional clients.

Reintroducing wonderful Raji and her short story, part 2 ( 2 of 2 )What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?I wo...
01/07/2026

Reintroducing wonderful Raji and her short story, part 2 ( 2 of 2 )

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

I would tell her: Stop worrying so much! Half the things I stressed about back then weren’t worth it.
I used to feel the pressure to fit in, to do things the way everyone else did because it seemed like the “right” way. But looking back, I wonder—why did I ever try to be something I wasn’t? You don’t need to fit in; you just need to be yourself, and be yourself with confidence.

When did you start gaining confidence in yourself?

Probably around 30. Failure gave me confidence. It took time and effort to truly find myself.
At one point, I realised I had been looking at life the wrong way. I used to think I didn’t have the same opportunities as others, or that I lacked the resources to do certain things. But when I took a step back, I saw that none of that was true. I was holding myself back with limited beliefs.
That’s when I changed my mindset. I started seeing life as my own party, where I was the main character player— a party that I am responsible for organising and narrating. If it’s my party, and I am narrating the main character then there is no need to complain about what’s missing or what I don’t like. Just got to change the main character narration. And as such, life becomes beautiful.
I wish I had understood this in my twenties—perhaps I would have achieved even more. But I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

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The 40 over 40 project consists of 40 amazing women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and above, and is a one of a kind empowering experience, celebrating life. We are too important not to be noticed. Join me on this adventure of being 40 and over, and fabulous.

All details in bio or message me here and will send you all the details about 2nd edition of 40 over 40 portrait photoshoot experience.

01/07/2026

Who would have thought portrait photography is actually a team effort?

Most people think you just show up, smile, and beautiful portraits happen. But the reality is very different.

Before the camera even comes out, there’s planning — consultations, styling, mood, colours, outfits, and choosing a look that reflects you.

And once you’re in front of the camera, we work together to create images that flatter and celebrate you. My job is to guide you through every pose — where to place your hands, how to turn your shoulders, lift your chin, and find your best angles.

Because no two bodies are the same, and even the smallest adjustment can completely change a photo.

That’s why portrait photography is a collaboration. You bring yourself, your personality, and your story. I bring the experience, direction, and eye for detail. Together, we create portraits that feel natural, confident, and authentically you.

That’s where the magic happens.

Black hat + black outfit + black backdrop + black posing Box + one medium soft light with a diffusion grid - thats all y...
30/06/2026

Black hat + black outfit + black backdrop + black posing Box + one medium soft light with a diffusion grid - thats all you need to create beautiful portraits - smile and effective.

28/06/2026

Photoshoot where everything seemed to fall perfectly into place.

The concept, the colours, the styling, the outfit—and most importantly, the incredible woman in front of my camera. When all those elements come together, something truly special happens.

28/06/2026

This question comes up so often:
“When was the last time you did something just for you?”
And the answer is usually the same…
“A long time ago.”
And then comes the next question — why?
Because somewhere along the way, we got used to putting everyone else first.
Spouses, kids, friends, parents, sisters, brothers lives… always before ours.
But here’s the truth:
you don’t disappear from your own life — you just slowly move to the background.
And it doesn’t have to stay that way.
It’s time to step back into the front seat.
To make space for yourself again.
To do something that is only for you — Let's create your photosession.

26/06/2026

A portrait photoshoot is where we get to reveal and celebrate all the different shades of you. It’s not just about taking a pretty picture—it’s about showing your depth, your softness, your strength, your elegance… all the sides you might not even realise you have.

What you see here is the perfect example: two completely different lighting setups, yet the same outfit. And look how dramatically the mood changes. Light can shape you, soften you, sharpen you, highlight your power or your gentleness. It’s incredible how the same woman, in the same clothes, can look like two completely different versions of herself—just through light.

That’s the beauty of portraits: we get to explore, experiment, and reveal everything that makes you uniquely you.

Reintroducing wonderful Raji and her short story, part 1 ( 1 of 2 )When she participated in the 40 OVER 40 project and c...
19/06/2026

Reintroducing wonderful Raji and her short story, part 1 ( 1 of 2 )

When she participated in the 40 OVER 40 project and came all the way from Hampshire she was 47 years old at that time.

Why did you decide to do this photoshoot?

I wanted to mark the changes in my age and reflect on how I’ve grown wiser over the years.
I used to think that if I had more time or money, I would do so many things. But this year, I’ve realised that life isn’t about waiting for the “perfect” conditions. It’s about making time and space for the things that truly matter—right now.

Tell me a little about your background.

My parents are from Sri Lanka, and I was born there, but I grew up in Germany. At 12, I moved to the UK and later completed my degree in Scotland.

Originally, I wanted to study genetics and in Scotland as I loved the country on holiday trips. Whilst there I was asked if I wanted to transfer degrees to study medicine. From a ‘yes’ in that moment, the rest is history and so I became a doctor. As I started practicing, I knew I was on the right path, I felt my passion for changing disease, being in service, and working with people. My next big decision was choosing between surgery or another medical specialty and I trained and became an oculoplastic surgeon.

————————
The 40 over 40 project consists of 40 amazing women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and above, and is a one of a kind empowering experience, celebrating life. We are too important not to be noticed. Join me on this adventure of being 40 and over, and fabulous.

All details in bio or message me here and will send you all the details about 2nd edition of 40 over 40 portrait photoshoot experience.

14/06/2026

Exciting work to see raw action of photoshoot, the photographer and a sitter.

12/06/2026

Creating beautiful portraits of women is one of the most rewarding parts of my work, but it is also incredibly challenging. Most of the women who come to my studio have never had a professional photoshoot before. They often arrive feeling nervous, unsure of themselves, and convinced that they are not photogenic.

A photoshoot can feel almost like a gym session at times. We move, stretch, change outfits, adjust poses, and repeat movements until everything comes together perfectly. It takes energy, patience, and commitment from both of us. But what keeps me passionate about what I do is seeing the transformation that happens throughout the session.

Address

Manchester

Telephone

+447443774319

Website

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