✅ other: approval
The author received approval after an RFE by submitting extensive evidence of achievements in photography, including awards, association memberships, and a role as a Sony ambassador.
Case details
Filing: Photographer, Sony ambassador
Outcome: Approval after RFE
Criteria claimed: 8
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✓Awards
4 major competitions covered by media
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✓Associations
Membership in the Eurasian Art Union and other unions
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✓Media
4 major media outlets
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✓Jury
5 years with the Russian Photo Awards jury, 2 years with NewBorn Photo Awards
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✓Contribution
Own teaching methodology; masterclasses worldwide
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✓Research
4 publications, including conferences
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✓Exhibitions
5 international exhibitions, including a solo show in Moscow
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✓Role
Sony ambassador, increased sales
How it went
- and I clarified that if they didn’t find it by the deadline, I would be forced to sue them, with subsequent compensation for premium processing and other expenses. They replied to that letter in about 3–4 days saying that our petition was apparently already dated 18.09 and we had mixed things up, and that it was already the 9th day of processing
However, in the case tracker my response to the RFE (the petition thereafter) was recorded as received only on 24.09. I flew out for shoots to Moscow, St. Petersburg … and on October 7, coming home exhausted, I sat down at the computer to unload the shots from the shoots — decided to check my email. That’s where I saw the coveted “Approve” 
Oh my God, I literally ran around the apartment and jumped to the ceiling! I called Natasha, Yegor, messaged Rinat, and they all seemed as happy as I was! It was definitely one of the best days of my life! Now I’ll write what was ultimately submitted in response to the devastating RFE (which, by the way, helped get in touch with and call Yegor @e_akimov 
): 1 Awards (4) — all competitions were major and media-covered 2 Associations — submitted Eurasian Art Union, but I’m also a member of 3 other major unions; I indicated that in the Final Merits 3 Media (4 Major Media) 4 Jury — 5 years on the Russian Photo Awards jury and 2 years on NewBorn Photo Awards 5 Contribution — my own methodology for teaching working with light. Masterclasses on it around the world; showed attendance of 200–400 people. England, Germany, Czechia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Russia. Masterclasses since 2014. Own school since 2018. Methodology guide published 6 Research: 4 publications, including a conference. Since 2020; journals are not VAK-tier 7 Five exhibitions, e.g. ImageNation Paris, Russian Art Week, Russian Art Prize, etc. All exhibitions are international. I also submitted a solo exhibition under my name at the Gallery of Classical Photography in Moscow in 2023. It had a lot of media coverage. Shared first place with another in the portrait section. 8 Role — Sony ambassador from 2018 to 2022; boosted sales of certain professional cameras and lenses. 2 intent letters: LA and Miami 12 recommendation letters: UK, USA, UAE, Turkey, Canada, Indonesia, USA. I tried to get letters not from photographer colleagues but more from companies I’d worked with before sanctions, from WPPA jurors, etc. There was also a portfolio which included: - magazine covers (Greece, France, USA) Old announcements of my masterclasses, membership cards, works that were awarded and exhibited. In the “comparable evidence” section I added a PSA gold medal, a personal medal. I received them later than when the case was originally submitted. For the same reason I added the Kuala Lumpur exhibition and the personal invitation to it. Also a photography diploma, etc., and a sole proprietor extract showing 2022 year and my income three times higher than the average income of a photographer in California and NY (compared against stats for the two most expensive states); I didn’t compare with Russia. When my petition was fully ready I sent it for proofreading to Natasha @Nataly17395! She corrected gross mistakes and completely reworked the media and research sections! My gratitude to this chat and to the people who genuinely supported and helped me is boundless! Thank you again!!! See you in the States!!! PS: the most slo
Key insight
“Preparing a comprehensive evidence package and community support can significantly increase the chances of success.”
Anna Krasovitskaya (@anna_krasovitskaya)
2024-10-07
Approval received after RFE
Author of the story
Anna Krasovitskaya (@anna_krasovitskaya), from the @talentvisahelp chat. Original message in the chat.
Useful resources
All information about O-1 / EB-1A / EB-2 NIW
More success and denial stories: channel @o1eb1