We recently connected with Maria Kazikhanov and have shared our conversation below.
Maria, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Resilience, intricately woven into my art, traces back to my roots in Moscow. Joining ELLE magazine in 1999, I progressed from an assistant photo editor to a creative producer, embracing travel and vibrant encounters that fueled my passion for meaningful narratives.
In 2010, my pursuit of significance led me to filmmaking, addressing human rights and social issues in Russia. A decade of directing and writing films unfolded, but a grim turn in 2019, during a peaceful rally, thrust my husband, Tabasaran – an ethnic minority from Dagestan, and me into the shadows of dissent.
By 2020, escalating threats compelled us to become immigrants in America. Now my family and I live in Jersey City. Photography became my solace—an advocate for political prisoners. The Russian invasion into Ukraine in 2022 shattered me, rendering my homeland irretrievable. Grieving and unable to touch my camera for months, resilience emerged as I nurtured my young children.
In September 2022, a renewed sense of purpose led me to form a clandestine team in Moscow. I photographed anti-war posters in New York and sent them to Moscow. Risking arrest and up to 15 years in prison, my secret group bravely displayed these messages across the city. Two of my people narrowly escaped apprehension while putting up posters.
Seeking a safer artistic outlet, in March 2023, I embarked on a documentary, anti-colonial, and anti-imperial photo project titled “Our Existence is Resistance.” This endeavor pays homage to those who endured the Russian Empire’s legacy, sharing their stories on New York’s streets.
In the last months of 2023, witnessing millions lose their homes, loved ones, and children left without food and water, I unexpectedly realized that in 2024, I want to dedicate myself to the genre of family photography. This transition is not merely a professional shift but my way of celebrating life, and it embodies my resilience.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am deeply immersed in the realm of visual storytelling, using photography as a potent medium to convey narratives that deeply resonate with human experiences. My career has been multifaceted, ranging from the dynamic world of fashion to a decade of filmmaking. My recent endeavors include advocating for change through my ongoing documentary project, ‘Our Existence is Resistance,’ shedding light on lives impacted by the Russian Empire’s legacy. This book serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who resist and persist in the face of adversity.
Simultaneously, I am committed to the art of family photography. For me, the most exciting aspect of being a photographer lies in the ability to capture a feeling—a unique opportunity to peer into a person’s soul and narrate their entire story through a single photograph.
As my journey unfolds, I eagerly embrace upcoming projects delving even deeper into the human experience. A cherished dream of mine is to encapsulate the profound bond between parents and children, turning each frame into a living art form. Join me in these heartfelt endeavors, where every shot narrates a poetic tale of love and connection.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Stay human, care about others, tell your story!
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
“My Name is Red” by Orhan Pamuk holds a profound place in my development. The incredible perspective it offers, coupled with Pamuk’s deepest love for Istanbul, his birthplace, and upbringing, captivates me. He conveys the scents and colors of his city, portraying the taste of religion even as an atheist. One passage describing snow is magnificently rendered. The book, a source of pure inspiration, is etched in my memory. I recall a day in Istanbul with my family, snow falling just as vividly as in Pamuk’s words. And yes, I had my camera with me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mariakazikhanov.wixsite.com/mariakazikhanov
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photoshurup?igsh=YzAwZjE1ZTI0Zg==
Image Credits
Daria Kuz