He recalled the days of working alongside the renowned Russian singer Zemfira, who has faced designation as a foreign agent in Russia, during a candid conversation with .Moslentoy. Dmitry Iskhakov, a well-known Russian photographer who has collaborated with many names across the entertainment world, shared memories that illuminate a pivotal chapter in his career.
“Collaborating with Renata Litvinova and Zemfira provided a powerful spark at the start of my path,” stated the former husband of Polina Gagarina. He noted that he cherishes the creative period and the opportunities it brought, which left a lasting impression on his artistic journey. The sentiment was echoed by many who witnessed that era, recognizing how these partnerships helped shape a unique visual language.
“This period was large in scope and significance for my artistic life. We conducted numerous photo and video shoots that explored different moods, styles, and narratives,” the photographer continued. Those shoots not only expanded his portfolio but also broadened his understanding of how to translate an artist’s essence into compelling imagery for audiences in North America and beyond.
According to him, the experience from those years was a wellspring of learning. He gained insight into timing, spontaneity, and the value of letting things unfold naturally when the right moment presented itself, rather than forcing a predetermined outcome. Some of the strongest works, he observed, emerged from chance alignments of light, expression, and location that, in the moment, felt almost inevitable.
Reflecting on Zemfira’s album cover shoot, he described a realization that the best outcomes do not always follow a strict script. The most memorable images often arise from a blend of preparation and serendipity, where intuition guides the photographer as much as technique. This approach proved effective in his broader body of work, demonstrating how openness to surprise can yield striking results that resonate with viewers long after the moment has passed.
The photographer also touched on Zemfira’s personal life during those years, including her relationship with Vladimir Chinyaev. He suggested that such aspects of an artist’s life can intersect with their creative output, influencing the energy of shoots and the storytelling embedded in the imagery. Through these connections, a fuller picture of the artistic ecosystem emerged, highlighting how collaborations, friendships, and personal stories contribute to a photographer’s evolving perspective.
In recounting these experiences, Iskhakov underscored the enduring influence of early collaborations in shaping a photographer’s career trajectory. The encounters, debates, and shared creative risks from that period laid a foundation that informed his approach to portraiture, editorial assignments, and music industry photography. The lessons learned from working with Zemfira and Litvinova continued to inform his craft as he navigated a fast-changing media landscape, where visuals must speak with clarity and personality in an increasingly crowded field. At heart, the memory of those shoots remains a testament to how bold partnerships can accelerate growth, refine taste, and widen a photographer’s audience across different markets and cultures.