Elena Sarapultseva

Elena Sarapultseva is a Russian photographer and visual artist based in Moscow. She is best known for her unique and captivating photographs of everyday life in Russia.

Sarapultseva was born in Moscow in 1982 and grew up surrounded by the city’s vibrant culture. She developed an early interest in photography, which she pursued throughout her teenage years. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts, where she studied photography and visual arts.

In 2006, Sarapultseva began her professional career as a freelance photographer. She quickly gained recognition for her work, which often focused on the everyday lives of ordinary people living in Russia. Her photographs were featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, and National Geographic.

In addition to her photography work, Sarapultseva has also created several short films that explore the lives of people living in Russia’s rural areas. Her films have been screened at various film festivals around the world, including Cannes Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival.

Sarapultseva’s work has earned her numerous awards over the years, including a World Press Photo Award for her series “The Life of Russian Villagers” (2009) and a Lucie Award for “Best Documentary Photographer” (2011). In 2017, she was named one of Forbes Magazine’s “30 Under 30” photographers.

Today, Sarapultseva continues to capture stunning images that tell stories about life in Russia. Her work has been exhibited around the world and can be found in many private collections as well as public institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.