Born and raised in Russia, Sergey’s artistic journey truly began in Kyiv, where he moved in 2008. It was this vibrant cultural environment that shaped him as an artist. There, he honed his craft, delving into complex and often painful themes: human vulnerability and strength, social trauma and personal experience, the beauty of imperfection, and the value of uniqueness.

“For me, art is always a way to explore the human being—emotions, connections between people,” Sergey says. “I’m interested not just in outward beauty, but in the inner light that can shine through scars and wrinkles. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about humanism.”

Humanism Without Filters

Humanism, in fact, is the cornerstone of Sarakhanov’s work—and therein lies both his power and his risk as an artist: he refuses to flatter his audience. In an age of Instagram filters and corporations selling “empathy” wholesale, his approach is almost provocative. “I’m interested in exploring people not as perfect images, but as living beings—with all their flaws, contradictions, and inner strength. That’s where I find beauty,” he emphasizes.

Among Sergey’s most renowned works is “30 Independent,” a portrait series featuring prominent Ukrainian artists, athletes, and scientists. This project has been exhibited at over 40 venues worldwide and has become a symbol of national identity.

His project “The Eyes” (2008) marked Sergey’s first major international breakthrough, earning him the Grand Prix, the title of “Best Photographer of the Year” in 2010, and an honorable mention from David Clarke, Head of Photography at London’s Tate Gallery. In these portraits, Sergey explores the phenomenon of the human gaze, transforming it into a mirror of emotion and inner life.

Equally significant is “People of Art” (2018), in which Sergey captured artists, highlighting their creative individuality. These works were exhibited at The Art of Coffee (Dublin) and It’s Not a Louvre Gallery (Kyiv), receiving high praise from critics.

From Lynch to Klitschko

Sergey Sarakhanov’s photographs have become a visual chronicle of our era. He has photographed such luminaries as David Lynch, Fin Greenall (Fink), Vera Polozkova, Wladimir Klitschko, and many others. Each shoot was more than just work—it was a meeting of worlds. His sessions with David Lynch, whom he photographed twice in Kyiv in 2017, hold a special place in his portfolio. These portraits capture the director’s philosophical depth and inner focus.

Sergey recalls: “In November 2017, we had a project photographing David Lynch. He came to Kyiv to open the Ukrainian branch of his David Lynch Foundation, which helps people with PTSD and survivors of violence through transcendental meditation. During his visit, I was lucky enough to have two brief photo sessions with him and create several portraits that are, in many ways, quite personal. The circumstances were far from ideal—portraits require time, and that’s exactly what we didn’t have. But what came out of it is a truly grand story in my life, worth every difficulty that surrounded it.”

A vital aspect of Sergey’s art is its social function. He has never shied away from pain, fear, or difficult social issues. In 2014, Sergey created a major photo project about Donbas refugees and later collaborated with charities such as “Zhyttelyub,” “Tabletochki,” “Agents of Blood,” and SuperHumans. In these works, he reveals the dignity and beauty of human life, even in its most vulnerable moments.

Sergey Sarakhanov remains true to his philosophy: his photography is not about technique or “style,” but about saying something important. “People are incredibly diverse, but what unites them is that everyone deserves love, attention, to be heard, seen, and recognized for simply existing—not ground down by the wheels of society and time, but preserved in their value. My work is a constant validation and declaration of that value,” he stresses.

Sergey’s photographs have been published in the Sunday Times, Forbes, Vogue, Elle, L’Officiel, Die Zeit, Pulss, and Playboy—a remarkable list, especially considering he never chased glossy fame. His motivation is not recognition, but questions. His work creates a space for doubt and reflection, turning portrait and documentary photography into a forum for honest engagement with reality.

“We live in an age of partial disintegration—of meaning, of entropy, of digital chaos. Thoughts race, attention scatters, and perception is often reduced to seconds. But art must ask questions. If it doesn’t do so directly, it should at least affirm life, remind us of its value. I strive to create images that grab you instantly, but don’t vanish from memory in a second—instead, they become a form of emotional closeness. That’s why, as an artist, I stand with one foot in the classics and the other on the ever-shifting ground of the present, which seethes like molten magma,” Sarakhanov reflects.

A New Chapter

In 2022, Sergey moved to London. The city has become not just a new home, but a new creative space—a different dimension of thought. “London is a city of dialogues, deep and genuine. Here, I’m rebuilding my life, working with new subjects, developing new projects, but at the heart of my work is always the individual.”

In London, Sergey’s art continues to evolve in a new context. He collaborates with British cultural institutions and commercial projects such as Bush Theatre, Emerge Production House, London Theatre, TALENTED U Project, Square Enix, Westway Music, Wild Arts, Natural Six Show, and CLD Communications, building bridges between cultures with his consistently expressive visual language.

Sergey has many creative plans in the UK. He continues to work with writers, actors, choreographers, and theatre companies. He has already launched projects with the British Theatre and Tate Gallery in London, and held an exhibition in Dublin. “In London, I’m starting life anew, and this city amazes me with its potential. Here, you can find yourself next to people you’re used to seeing only on screen. I’ve already had the chance to work with outstanding personalities: the talented Irish actor Robert Sheehan, Jack Gleeson—best known as Joffrey from Game of Thrones—and Sam Lake, the legendary game designer and writer who, in my view, is shaping the direction of the entire gaming industry. London is a city of personalities, and in this environment, every portrait becomes more than a photo—it’s a meeting of worlds.”

Sergey plans to continue developing his personal projects: FATHERLAND, exploring the theme of fatherhood, and AGE OF LOVE, about couples who have spent decades together. In their new context, these projects shed some of their pathos but gain documentary depth, becoming full-fledged statements about love, duty, disappointment, and tenderness. He is also working on several exhibition projects that go beyond classic photography and venture into the realm of art installations, with presentations planned over the next two years.

Another important initiative is Sergey’s podcast featuring creative professionals—not the usual “inspiration and love of art” format, but honest conversations about crisis, burnout, and how art can sometimes become an exhausting craft. Yet, despite it all, these talks search for that point of return—to the audience, and to oneself.