PROJECTS

BODY

The body - the only thing that accompanies us from the first breath to the last. It is a reflection of our lifestyle, discipline, and self-love. Our body constantly takes on new forms and perfects itself with every movement, but sometimes we forget it in the storm of everyday stress. Sometimes it groans under the weight of worries and fatigue, but sometimes it blossoms when given the attention it deserves. It changes every day and knows much better than we do what it truly desires.

The project showcases photographs from Ilya Zakharin’s debut book BODY. This project not only serves as the photographer’s artistic expression but also as a support for representatives of the LGBTQ+ culture in Russia, the country where Ilya was born and raised.

On November 30, 2023, the Russian LGBTQ+ movement was deemed extremist, automatically putting at risk anyone associated with it or exploring its themes in their creative work.

ROST (Growth)

Growth is a relative concept. It cannot be felt or seen without comparison. Who was I yesterday, and who have I become today? How many steps have I taken to outgrow myself? Each new phase of growth is a series of situations, questions, and challenges that one must overcome to better understand oneself and proudly say: "I did it."

The project ROST is a visual representation of concepts such as responsibility, loneliness, overcoming obstacles, sexuality, expectation, rejection, loss, and new beginnings. Each concept is an expansive ocean that photographer Ilya Zakharin connects with personal challenges and attempts to reflect through his photography.

The souls depicted in the project are symbols of the photographer's identity, showcasing a great deal of physicality, individuality, and queerness.

Two Worlds of You

This series of works features French chef Julian Hernandez and combines natural landscapes with portrait photography. Created during an art residency in France in May 2023.

Through the use of metaphors and symbols, it allowed to intertwine the inner and outer worlds of the main character, enriching the visual narrative with deeper layers of meaning.

Nearness & Distance

The project explores the duality of human relationships, reflecting on themes of distance & intimacy within the context of fashion photography.

LEMBERG

At the beginning of 2022, the fruitful collaboration and creation of conceptual series for LEMBERG opened new horizons for Ilya in the realm of still-life photography.

This partnership not only expanded his creative boundaries but also deepened his understanding and appreciation of the intricate art of capturing objects in compelling and innovative ways.

#hahayoureugly

This collaborative project with the Berlin vintage store "hahayoureugly" combines diversity and uniqueness, while also promoting the reuse and recycling of clothing.

Additionally, the project values the use of unconventional and diverse models, showcasing a broad spectrum of individualities.

REFLECT

A series of still-life photographs featuring packaging made from reflective materials, aimed at encouraging mindful environmental care and responsible waste sorting.

BROTHERS

A series of works dedicated to exploring friendships delves deeply into the world of companionship, revealing the unique characters of each friend and highlighting their individual differences.

Cinderella 2.0

In the series Cinderella 2.0 the unique creations of Italian fashion designer Leonardo Chiocca take center stage.

The focus is on the enchanting interaction between the two protagonists, Leonardo and Gasper, as they prepare together for their first ball.

The overarching goal is to challenge conventional gender representations in fashion and to provide a platform for queer artists to express their creative diversity.

Best Wishes in
Your New Home

This photo series is an essayistic work that depicts various everyday scenes and showcases locations in Berlin that have gained special significance and symbolic meaning for Ilya over the past years. Whether through their architecture, atmosphere, or the personal stories experienced there, these places have become emblematic.

The series not only captures the surface of these locations but also aims to highlight the layers and hidden narratives behind their abstract textures and chaotic scenes.

It invites viewers to reflect on the backgrounds of the found objects and to explore the enigmatic nature of these places.

OSTSEE

Collaborating with stylist Anastasia Voropaeva, the project was brought to life in the spring of 2020.

The project merges fashion, the elements, and human individuality.