behind the camera


My name is Lena and as the owner of Camerative – a wedding cinematography company – I am living my dream of capturing the most precious moments of people’s lives on film. 


Let me share the story that led to the creation of this unique name - Camerative.

After careful consideration, I realized that the suitable name for the creative company was right in front of me all along. By combining the words Camera and Creative, I created Camerative - a unique and inspiring name that perfectly captures my vision and passion. 




Lena Shabanova videographer in North Carolina bio

lena's story


Ever since I can remember, my dream job has been to create music videos, a passion that led me to San Francisco State University where I earned a certificate in Digital Video Intensive. I strengthened my skills working as a video editor in the corporate world for several years, gaining valuable experience and technical expertise. Then, I had the incredible opportunity to film a wedding, and everything changed. Capturing the raw emotion, joy, and love of that special day was a revelation. Filming weddings gave me that perfect combination of music, love, and emotions I had always been searching for.



I started my wedding videography journey in 2015 back in Northern California, exploring breathtaking coastal locations from Monterey to Mendocino County. I have captured the magic of more than one hundred wedding love stories during those years. My family’s love of travel has taken us to many new destinations. I am incredibly excited to continue my journey in Charlotte, North Carolina, and beyond. 


My goal is to create stunning, unforgettable memories for the happy couple by capturing each shot with precision and care. I aspire to bring their vision to life through the perfect selection of music and composition for each scene. 


Some facts about me:


I was born in Ukraine.

I have a Master Degree in Banking

I enjoy cooking, especially traditional Ukrainian meals.

I love traveling! Some of the places I visited: England, Scotland, Ireland, Japan, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium, Egypt, Jamaica, Mexico, Aruba, Hawaii, Fiji, and more.

Where I would love to go (and film some weddings!): Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Tahiti.


“You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear.”

Elopement videography in North Carolina

Testimonials

Nicole + Keenan

“Camerative is the name, and dominating at wedding videography is the game. Lena was no less than fantastic on our wedding day. One of my favorite moments was when we were doing our first look, and Lena got excited about a shot and said to me, "Here, let me inspire you," and she showed me the clip she got! It was so easy to work with her, she was unbelievably kind. She also knew when to tell me to stop talking, and I appreciate this because I can get a bit chatty! Thank you, Lena”

01 / 03