Growing up in Kazakhstan (far, far away), before social media ever existed, or even internet, I spent many days as a kid with my grandma who used to tell me countless stories about her life and the life of my great grandmother.

She would take out some old black and white photographs to show me the person she used to be before time and many life’s hardships would leave their permanent marks on her beautiful bright face. She would show me pictures of her mom and dad when they were young. Many stories of love, loss, adventures and every day life were captured in those black and white grainy images.

My grandmother’s shy smile behind her veil on her wedding day will forever be preserved on that photograph reflecting her emotions she was feeling that day. In that moment, her happiness, excitement, anxiety and anticipation of what’s to come will be preserved forever, long after she is gone. 

Ever since I have been a child, I have been fascinated with photographs, with capturing key moments from life, to preserving the memory in some shape or form so that years from now I can look back, smile and relive those moments again.

What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce

Karl Lagerfeld