We kept the name of the winner a secret until the very end. This is why we connected with Maria to congratulate her on the victory only after the winner of Grand Final was announced online.

Interview with the winner of Elena’s Models Contest for The Best Photo of 2017

So, who is the pretty lady that became Elena’s Models inaugural winner of the Best Picture of the Year Contest? We asked Maria some questions about her contest entry and plans for the future.

Maria, tell our readers a little bit about yourself.

I am 30 years old, live in Moscow. For over 5 years I work as an online teacher of Russian as the second language, creating video courses to learn the language. I have a blog and a video blog on Facebook, in my spare time I teach English to kids and grownups. Regarding sporting pursuits, I enjoy yoga and stretching.

I am also busy writing my PhD on the modern history of Russia. My subject is the relationship between the USA and the USSR during the “cold war”. I am also studying German.

Because my life is linked with languages, my goals are also connected with them. This year I plan to improve my English, so that I could progress to a new level in my teaching and online business.

What prompted you to take part in the competition?

The first time I took part in the competition spontaneously, just to try my luck. After winning in September I thought: Maybe, I could really win?

Going into the January competition, I had the intention to be in the top-3. And the rest would be up to the jury.

What does your victory in the Final mean for you?

When the voting ended, I tried to let go of all the thoughts about the contest and switch to other tasks. So, the news about my victory in the Final of the Year became a surprise. The first thought in my head was—I did it, my friends did it! We’ve done it. This victory showed me that I could inspire friends and acquaintances to support me, it showed me that I do everything correctly: I am socially active, I don’t abuse the voting process.

Thank you, my friends, students, acquaintances and strangers, who voted for me every day! People from various corners of the world—USA, Canada, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Serbia, Finland, Greece, India, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Jordan and other countries, and of course, from our unbounded Russia.

This victory is one more frontier that I successfully conquered.

Maria, what would you advise future contest participants and finalists?

Dear participants! Choose an attractive photo, don’t be shy to create a support group among your friends and acquaintances, and legibly follow the rules of the contest of Elenasmodels. But deep inside, be prepared for any result.

I was ready to accept a loss. Don’t think only about the contest and votes, engage in other things. 😉 But don’t forget to ask your friends to vote—many people are happy to do it, but they sometimes can forget.

A separate appreciation to the author of the photo—talented young photographer Anna Yermolova. I am sure that we will have many photo shoots together!

How are you going to spend the prize money — 5,000 US dollars? Do you have any plans?

I see the prize as a great opportunity to improve certain things in my life. I plan to spend the prize on education. More precisely, courses of English in the USA. I am planning to study at a language school in Houston and improve my level of English to advanced. It’s my goal. Besides, I plan to meet a man that we have been communicating with via Skype and Whatsapp for some time.

Thanks to Elena’s Models for the excellent organization of the contest and choosing me as the winner! Once again—thank you!!!

Video message from the winner