The day I entered Russia, October 7, 2023, felt like a new page turned in my life. Having spent my whole life in Bangladesh, I have become so used to the streets teeming with people, the bright festivals, and the hot tropical climate. Arriving in “St.Petersburg”, it was a world that amazed me: big architecture, frosty autumn air, and a language I didn’t understand at that time. But I did have one thing that was familiar with me: my camera. For six years, it had been my trusted companion in the quest to document this world, capture fleeting moments, and connect with others through the universal language called photography. Little did I realize, though, that more than just capturing the beauty of Russia, the camera brought me closer to its immense diversity. That bridge meant connecting with people, cultures, landscapes, allowing this land to naturally grow within my heart forever, letting me fall ever more deeply in love.
The first glimpse at a new world
St.Petersburg welcomed me with open arms and an endless horizon of beauty to discover. Known as the Venice of the North, the city’s canals sparkled in the autumn sun, flanked by pastel-colored buildings that seemed to glow with history. As a passionate street and lifestyle photographer, I literally found myself overwhelmed with inspiration at every turn. My first photo walks in St. Petersburg were full of awe. For a moment, the grandeur of Nevsky Prospekt, the serene waters of the Neva River, and the intricate facades of the Winter Palace all seemed to be a living painting. The country’s rich culture was witnessed by the Hermitage Museum in green and white, while the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood literally drew me to its brilliant mosaics and onion-shaped domes. I remember standing in awe, framing the perfect shot, and thinking,This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
But the real magic came when I started photographing life beyond the famous landmarks: a babushka selling flowers on the sidewalk, a group of children playing by the fountains at Peterhof, or a street performer adding music to the air. These moments brought the city to life through my lens.
My adaptation to life in Russia was not easy: the language barrier was scary, the culture was unfamiliar, and the weather, mostly winter, was unlike anything I had experienced. Yet, instead of feeling overwhelmed, I turned to photography as a way of understanding and connecting with this new world. Winter came over St. Petersburg, and the whole city looked like a snow-covered Wonderland. The canals got frozen, the parks became white, and the gold domes of the cathedrals showed even brighter against the gray skies. I had a hard time with the cold at first, bundling myself in layers of winter clothing, which I found quite cumbersome traversing the streets. Its beauty, though, soon vanquished me from those Russian winters. One early morning, after a fresh snowfall, everything was very silent, the streets were empty, and the air was crisp and clean. I wandered across Palace Square, taking in how the snow had softened the outlines of the buildings and muffled the normal city noises. That was peace, something I will never forget, and my camera has enabled me to cherish it forever.
Discovering the beauty of St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is a city alive with history, art, and culture. St. Petersburg has offered me endless opportunities to discover and document its many facets, from bustling metro stations with their chandeliers and marble walls to quiet corners of the Summer Garden; every part has something unique to offer. One of my favorite places to photograph is Nevsky Prospekt, the city’s main avenue. Here, the energy is contagious: people hurrying to work, friends meeting at cafés, and street performers adding rhythm to the streets. In the evening, when the lights come on and reflect off the wet pavement, Nevsky transforms into a magical scene straight out of a movie. Another favorite location is the banks of the Neva River. In summer, the wWhite nNights cast a sort of mystic light over the city, as if time had simply stopped in its tracks. Taking a picture of that, whether it’s a couple strolling hand-in-hand along the embankment or the sun just barely below the horizon, has been one of the most rewarding things.
How photography took me across Russia
Though St. Petersburg holds a special place in my heart, my love of photography motivated me to continue further beyond that city. This past year, I visited some of the most famous and not-so-famous sites across Russia, each carrying their own unique charm. Moscow, the dynamic capital, offered a striking contrast to st. Petersburg. The sheer scale of Red Square took my breath away, and capturing the colorful domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral against the winter sky seemed almost surreal. It was, however, the quiet side of Moscow that brought me the most joy: artists painting in Gorky Park, children sledding in Zaryadye Park, and the intricate patterns of the metro stations. Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, introduced me to a beautiful blend of cultures. The Kul Sharif Mosque with its striking blue and white domes stood proudly beside Orthodox churches, symbolizing harmony and coexistence. Here, I photographed vibrant bazaars filled with spices, handmade crafts, and cheerful vendors who were all too willing to share their stories.
Falling in love with Russia’s natural beauty
As much as I loved the cities, it was Russia’s natural beauty that really took my breath away. My trip to Khakassia somehow felt like traveling to a different world. The steppes, endless and rolling, leading to the horizon, were on fire with the golden light of dawn; the landscape seemed to shine with a sort of warmth that almost felt like spirituality. Here, I captured shepherds tending to their flocks, the wind brushing against their traditional clothing, and the untouched beauty of the land.
In Murmansk, I saw the Northern Lights for the first time in my life, which was a lifelong dream. Under the Arctic sky, the experience of standing and watching the dance of the green and purple waves above heaven was one of my most humbling moments. The challenge of photographing it was rewarding and felt like each frame was a gift.
Novosibirsk, with its snow-covered landscapes and the frozen surface of the Ob River, has witnessed the persistence of life that takes place in Siberia’s lands. There are frozen fishermen, children making big snow men, and daily ongoing activities of locals despite the stern times. All of this is reminds me of those whose homeland this is, characterized by strength and incredible ability to adapt to unfailing nature.
Street photography: focus on culture
Street photography has long been one of my favorite subjects; it really allows me to connect with people and their stories. In smaller cities like Pushkin, Pskov, and Rostov-on-Don, there are countless opportunities to catch the rhythm of everyday life.
In Pushkin, I spent hours wandering the grounds of Catherine Palace, capturing the interplay of history and modern life. Locals strolled through the palace gardens, their laughter mixing with the rustle of leaves. My Canon 600D, which had been my constant companion since the beginning of my photography journey, was the right tool to capture all the detailed architecture of the palace. The lightness of my GoPro Hero 8 came in handy when I wanted to take some quick, candid shots of people enjoying the day.
In Pskov, medieval walls and placid rivers seemed to stick in time, exuding a meek charm, which I so much wanted to immortalize with my Sony Alpha A7 III. Paired with my 50mm prime lens, it allowed focusing on small, meaningful moments: an elderly man fishing by the river or a child gazing up at the ancient kremlins. The timeless atmosphere of this town made me want to take out my wide-angle lens to try it on such large scenery and historical buildings.
On the other hand, Rostov-on-Don was lively with from bustling markets to animated docks, where fishermen were narrating stories and laughing. The versatility of my equipment allowed me to adapt to the vibrant scenes. The Sony Alpha A7 III, with its 35mm lens, was great for the close-up portraits of vendors selling their wares; the images are in fine detail and crisp. The flexibility in the GoPro Hero 8 made dynamic shots possible while moving along the docks and the river. My camera and lenses only allowed me to get closer to people; it was the personal connections, the smile, or even small talk that many times initiated meaningful photographs. These are clear reminders that photography indeed is not about capturing or taking images, but about building bridges with common grounds that exist between us.
In photographing Russia, I feel myself being drawn ever closer to its culture. Rich traditions, diverse landscapes, and vibrant communities have left me in awe of the country. Be it intricate patterns on a church dome, children laughing as they play in the snow, or simply the peaceful beauty of a sunset over the steppe, each moment is a picture, telling of resilience, warmth, and wonder. But the most fulfilling moment was when I got to share these photos with others. Friends and family back home in Bangladesh marveled at pictures of Russian winters and the glowing cityscapes, while fellow photographers from online forums connected with my work in ways I never expected. These connections have made me realize the universal power of art and the ability of photography to bring people together.
Looking back at the time spent in Russia, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for all that I’ve experienced and the stories that I have been able to capture. The experience of photography not only opened me to this new world but has made me grow as a person. It taught me to find beauty in every moment, to accept new challenges, and connect with people and places much deeper. With its endless landscapes, rich culture, and resilient people, Russia has been more than a destination; it has become part of my heart. Through my lens, I have found its soul, and in that process, I have fallen deeply in love with its beauty. I look forward to continuing this journey one frame at a time and sharing the stories of this incredible country with the world.