My name is Yuri. I’m a 31 y.o. sales manager from Moscow, Russia. I’ve been in love with LEGO since my childhood, but only started shooting it in February 2016 when found some great pics on Instagram. Those pics really inspired me and I decided to try it just for fun… and that fun still doesn’t let me go and it’s became my hobby. I think toy photography is not such a popular hobby in Russia. I’ve met some Russian enthusiasts while discovering this awesome hobby, but there are really only a few here.
Where are you, toy photographers?
Not one of my friends and colleagues had heard about toy photography before I told about them about it. But it’s really great that I can tell and show people something unusual. Many of them appear interested and I like it!
– I’m shooting LEGO.
– Great! Wait. You shooting… what?
What I do
My own passion in toy photography is natural looking scenes, with characters looking like not just like toys, but like living people with their own feelings and thoughts. When I see the scene and it doesn’t need additional text to tell the story, I think that’s true art, and a direction I want to follow in my work.
I never do instant pics. One of my friends on Instagram said “Shoot now, ask later!” That’s not my way. Usually I come up with an idea few days before shooting. It may be recreated a story from real life, or my own fantasy, but it always needs to be created with love to process. I don’t stick to one series or one character, but I try to make my own recognizable style.
The main direction in my work today is all about action and flying particles, and there are still a lot of things I must learn. This very meditative and creative process requires a lot of patience and accuracy. And I really love it. The next step would be practicing with natural human poses and cinematic angles.
Feel the force of toy photography that unites all of us!
Why LEGO?
When I can’t find good place to shoot my idea, I can just create that place myself. And then I’ll take my camera to take a few shots and share my own story. Every step, every moment of this process, is all about creating. And creating makes me happy.
Just create any place by yourself…
… and make your own story.
So what’s the point for me?
LEGO photography (as a part of toy photography) is a universal language that I can use to communicate with people worldwide without any borders. It’s the way of self-expression. I want my photos to bring you into their stories; that’s a purpose of all my work.
Escape from the cosmic disagreements
Today we have so many things that divide the world, and I’m really happy to be a part of this amazing community that unites all of us.
I want to thank Brett for his invitation to introduce my work and myself. It’s a really big honor for me!
With best wishes,
Yuri
Awesome! I so love that Stormie on the flying bike photo. Amazing. 🙂
Thanks a lot, Julie! I have not much outdoor shots, really happy you like it! Shot taken on May 2nd at Gorky Park, one of the greatest Moscow parks.
Fantastic post Yuri! I always enjoy the action in your photos. You make your minifigs look very alive and energetic! 🙂
Lynn
Thank you so much dear Lynn for your kind words! I told you before, I’m really in love with your work, especially lighting techniques! Thanks again!
This is a wonderful post Yuri.
Like Lynn says, you have a wonderful way of making your Minifigures come to life!
It’s always interesting to hear why others do what they do. There’s something reassuring to hear that other have similar experiences.
Being ‘part of a community that unites all of us’ is a lovely sentiment, and something we can all be proud to be a part of!
Thanks for sharing your story mate.
Thank you for inviting and endless support, Brett! It makes me really happy! I hope this post would be interesting for some people.
Yuri I absolutely adore the energy you are able to infuse into your images. I can only imagine that you are a force of nature in person. Thank you so much for sharing your images and story here on the blog! I look forward to seeing how far you can push toy photography in the new year.
Million thanks for your huge feedback, dear Shelly! Here on Toyphotographers you make not only great pics, but really gorgeous stories! I’m really happy to take a part. Thanks!