Dmitry Iskhakov is a photographer, a teacher at a photo school, and a co-founder of the BestMemories photo studio. In a conversation about his career, he shared memories from a collaboration with Zemfira during a rehearsal session at a Rammstein base near Berlin. The setting was informal, almost studio-like, yet charged with the momentum of a major artistic moment. Iskhakov spoke about how those days helped shape his approach to portraiture and his understanding of working with artists who carry a powerful stage presence.
According to Iskhakov, Zemfira possesses a rare combination of energy and vulnerability. She has a way of filling a space the moment she enters it, drawing all attention to the person she becomes in that moment. Her charisma and intensity create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive, a paradox that makes collaborative work with her feel like a live experiment rather than a planned shoot. He recalls that their sessions often felt like a laboratory where outcomes were not predetermined, and experimentation was the rule rather than the exception. This dynamic, he notes, was a crucial learning experience in his path as a photographer.
In those days, the goal was not merely to capture a likeness but to explore how a person’s character can be translated into a single frame. Iskhakov describes the process as a balancing act between preparation and improvisation. The shoot would unfold with a sense of discovery, as if they were testing ideas against reality in real time. The sense of risk-taking and willingness to push beyond comfort zones was central to the mindset that defined those collaborations. He emphasizes that pushing too far could alienate the subject, so he also focused on ensuring that the hero of the image felt respected and represented authentically in every shot.
One memorable moment came during a late-evening revisit to a quiet dining room at the rehearsal base. They were exploring ambient lighting options when ordinary lamps—round bulbs suspended on cords just above the tables—caught their attention. The simple, unassuming light turned into a defining element for a portrait. Zemfira herself offered a spontaneous gesture, pulling up her sweater in a way that revealed a candid, unguarded mood. The resulting image was not planned in advance, yet it captured a facet of Zemfira’s personality that resonated deeply with the direction of a forthcoming album. Iskhakov notes that this moment proved the value of paying close attention to the everyday details that can become iconic in the right context.
Beyond this specific project, Iskhakov has continued to reflect on the lessons learned from working with prominent artists. His approach remains anchored in curiosity, resilience, and a respect for the individual stories behind each image. The experience of collaborating with Zemfira informed his broader philosophy of portrait photography, one that values honesty, spontaneity, and the willingness to experiment while staying true to the person being photographed. The practice he describes blends technical skill with an instinct for narrative, allowing every portrait to speak with a voice that belongs to the subject rather than the photographer.
Iskhakov’s career also highlights a broader trajectory in contemporary photography, where studio setups, rehearsal spaces, and personal interactions intersect to produce striking visual work. His work with Zemfira stands as a testament to how space, light, and moment can coalesce into images that feel both immediate and timeless. Through his teaching and his ongoing projects, he continues to influence a new generation of photographers who seek authenticity in their craft and a willingness to explore unconventional ideas. The memory of that Berlin rehearsal base and the simple lamp that sparked a lasting artistic decision remains a vivid example of how improvisation and perception can redefine what a portrait can be.
In related reflections, Iskhakov also recalls challenging shoots in other contexts, including collaborations with different performers and artists who push the boundaries of staging and image-making. The through-line across these experiences is a commitment to meaningful representation, a readiness to learn from each moment, and a steady belief that the best photographs arise when the subject and photographer trust each other enough to take thoughtful, brave risks together.