Ruslan Bogatyrev
Photographer · Traveler · Explorer
Photography as a way of being present
When I photograph, everything else falls away: the past, the future, the constant stream of thoughts. All that remains is what is happening right in front of me.
I practice mindful photography as a form of meditation.
I practice mindful photography as a form of meditation.
I’m simply interested in life. I like to experience it through the simplest things: walking, driving down a road, meeting people, eating good food, doing something that matters, taking photographs, and noticing what is happening around me.
I try not to hold on to the past or worry about the future. I’m more interested in being fully present in whatever is happening now.
I try not to hold on to the past or worry about the future. I’m more interested in being fully present in whatever is happening now.
If you take away the professions, projects, and roles, what remains is a person who is simply interested in life.
In 2007, I became interested not only in taking photographs myself, but also in teaching others how to develop their creative vision.
I founded the Saint-Petersburg School of Visual Arts SOVA and taught there for 15 years. I still run the school today, although I now do so remotely.
SOVA School website →
I also occasionally teach photography workshops and online classes.
Photography courses →
SOVA School website →
I also occasionally teach photography workshops and online classes.
Photography courses →
And then I left
In 2022, I moved to Kyrgyzstan. Gradually, traveling stopped being a journey and became a way of life.
As a child, I dreamed of living on the road
I was eight when I first started dreaming of a home on wheels and a life where I wouldn't have to return to the same place every day. Then I forgot about that dream.
Many years later, I began traveling constantly. Gradually, I realized that this was exactly what I had always wanted.
Today, my childhood dream has come true — I travel with my motorhome.
Many years later, I began traveling constantly. Gradually, I realized that this was exactly what I had always wanted.
Today, my childhood dream has come true — I travel with my motorhome.
Photo journeys with me
I continue to explore Kyrgyzstan and other places the road takes me.
Sometimes I invite people to join me and show them the best of what I’ve discovered through years of living here.
Join me on a journey →
Sometimes I invite people to join me and show them the best of what I’ve discovered through years of living here.
Join me on a journey →
India
Another great love of mine. Every winter, I travel around this incredible country. I’ve already explored more than 20 states by motorcycle.
Sometimes a place becomes part of my work
I photograph hotels, restaurants, guesthouses, and other spaces that want to show not only what they look like, but also what they feel like.
Of course, this is my work, and I enjoy making a living through photography. But there is something else that matters to me: these photographs stay with people for years. They help them tell the story of their business, attract new guests, and help travelers discover places they might otherwise never have known existed.
Photography for Business →
Of course, this is my work, and I enjoy making a living through photography. But there is something else that matters to me: these photographs stay with people for years. They help them tell the story of their business, attract new guests, and help travelers discover places they might otherwise never have known existed.
Photography for Business →
Yay, Movies!
I receive so much hospitality from the people I meet on the road. Gradually, it became important to me not only to receive, but also to give something back.
That’s how Yay, Movies! came about — a real nomadic cinema that travels for free to places where there are no cinemas at all.
The story of the project →
That’s how Yay, Movies! came about — a real nomadic cinema that travels for free to places where there are no cinemas at all.
The story of the project →
Meditation & Retreats
You don't have to explore only the outside world.
Meditation has been part of my own practice for many years. For me, it is above all a practical way to return to the present moment, notice what is happening, and feel more deeply connected to myself and the world around me. These days, I occasionally lead retreats and help people take their first steps in meditation.
Retreats →
Meditation has been part of my own practice for many years. For me, it is above all a practical way to return to the present moment, notice what is happening, and feel more deeply connected to myself and the world around me. These days, I occasionally lead retreats and help people take their first steps in meditation.
Retreats →
A few facts
- 25+ years of photography
- Founded the Petersburg School of Visual Arts SOVA in 2007
- 15+ years teaching photography, including at universities such as KNU and AUCA
- Became a member of the Union of Photo Artists of Russia in 2009
- Received a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation for outstanding cultural figures twice
- Participated in exhibitions and festivals · received high placements in international photography competitions · held solo exhibitions · two photo books published (total print run: 7,000 copies) · 5,000+ students
Have an idea or a question?
Get in touch!
Not a traveler, but someone who lives on the road
If you take away all the labels — photographer, traveler, school director, teacher, retreat leader — what remains is simply a person who is interested in life.