The fashion industry is a fascinating, dynamic, and highly competitive world where only a select few manage to reach truly impressive heights. Egor Vasiliev is one of them. He has conquered the most prestigious glossy magazines, such as Cosmopolitan and Glamour, and established close collaboration with well-known global brands.
A Path to the Profession: From IT to Photography
Egor Vasiliev did not come to the world of fashion photography immediately. After finishing school, he enrolled at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, where he began studying IT. However, during his studies, Egor became passionate about photography—something his parents, who hoped for a stable career for their son in the IT field, were not initially thrilled about.
“It was frightening to even think about giving up the prospect of a predetermined IT career with a stable income. Instead, I decided to take up photography, even though there was no guaranteed income yet, and at that time, my skills couldn’t ensure 100% success,” Egor recalls.
But perseverance and talent played their part. Within a few years, Egor built a recognizable personal brand and completed dozens of projects. He is now one of the most sought-after photographers in his field, boasting 14 successful years in the business and collaborations with giants like Puma, Cosmopolitan, Estée Lauder, Glamour, Ivy Park, and many others.
Collaborations with Leading Publications and Global Stars
Egor Vasiliev’s shoot locations span the fashion capitals of the world, and his camera has captured top figures from global brands and show business stars. His track record includes over a hundred shoots for Glamour magazine and around fifty for Cosmopolitan.
“Leading glossy magazines and international brands trust me, invite me to shoots, and offer remarkable opportunities to visit incredibly diverse places and meet some of the most fascinating people of our time. I truly value this,” Egor shares.
You can find Egor Vasiliev’s work in such authoritative publications as Men’s Health, InStyle, Allure, L’Officiel, and many more. He has shot advertising campaigns for Puma, Estée Lauder, Ivy Park by Beyoncé, Calvin Klein, L’Oréal, Nespresso, and dozens of other global brands.
The Secret to Steady Partnerships with Top Media Holdings
Gaining recognition in the glossy industry is no easy task, yet Egor Vasiliev has succeeded. So, what is the secret behind his successful partnerships with the largest publishing houses?
“I believe it’s my style, which is recognizable and conveys the character of each shoot,” Egor explains.
Add to this the wealth of experience in shooting top-tier celebrities. For glossy publications, it’s crucial that a photographer knows how to quickly connect with famous personalities and “bring them out” in front of the camera in the few minutes allotted for a shoot—a skill Egor is famous for.
“I have 14 years of shooting behind me. This helped me gain experience and apply it to brand and magazine shoots, because often you only have a few minutes for a magazine shoot with a featured personality. You need to almost instantly build rapport, set the right mood, and capture the desired shot, sometimes in a matter of moments,” the photographer says.
Egor’s ability to find common ground with star subjects has saved him many times in his work. He remembers one of the most striking and tense projects—shooting Russia’s Olympic synchronized swimming team for L’Officiel magazine before the Rio de Janeiro Olympics:
“We, together with the magazine’s editorial team led by the fashion director, were given literally a couple of hours to shoot nine scenes inspired by the classic Soviet photographer Alexander Rodchenko,” Egor recalls.
Not only was time extremely tight, but the photographer’s assistant was unable to attend the shoot due to unforeseen circumstances.
“I had to not only direct the shoot, getting the young synchronized swimmers into the mood we needed, but also manage a significant amount of camera and lighting equipment alone,” Egor remembers.
The result was worth it: the photo story took up 12 pages in the magazine. The publication went on to entrust Egor Vasiliev with about ten more photo shoots.
Landmark Photo Sessions that Defined His Career: Behind-the-Scenes Moments
Egor has many shoots in his portfolio that defined his career and secured his status as one of the leading fashion photographers. One such work was the Men’s Health cover featuring a player from the Russian national football team, timed to two major football tournaments.
“It’s impossible to describe how it feels to flip through one of the world’s most famous glossy magazines and see that the vast majority of the current issue’s content was shot by you. It’s the highest degree of trust from the editorial team and the publishing house. It’s incredibly valuable to me as a professional,” Egor says.
No less significant for the photographer was a project with the creative director of the House of Guerlain, Olivier Echaudemaison.
“He’s a man who has worked with global stars from different eras—Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, Natalia Vodianova, Twiggy! Olivier appreciated our first collaboration a year earlier and specifically requested me again from the magazine’s editorial team,” Egor recalls.
The Influence of Shooting Public Figures on Professional and Personal Development
Working with famous people from entirely different fields—be it film, music, sports, or business—brings Egor Vasiliev into contact with the world of creative individuals whose achievements and worldviews become a source of inspiration for new creative breakthroughs in his professional activities.
“I photographed director Fyodor Bondarchuk, whose film was nominated for an Oscar, and I listened to his gripping account of the behind-the-scenes work on the film Stalingrad and the process of shooting its poster. In St. Petersburg, I shot Julian MacKay for InStyle—an American who became the principal dancer at the Mikhailovsky Theatre. I also once photographed the renowned calligrapher known as Pokras Lampas on one of St. Petersburg’s magical rooftops. All these projects were incredible, and each new experience continues to enrich me as a person and as a professional,” Egor says.
According to Egor, each shoot is a unique opportunity to talk with exceptional people, hear their success stories, and absorb their energy. All of this undoubtedly influences his professional growth, broadening his horizons and allowing him to discover new facets of his work.
A Recognizable Signature: What Makes Egor Vasiliev’s Style Special
Egor Vasiliev’s individual style, shaped over years of meticulous work, is today instantly recognizable by the editors of leading publications and representatives of major brands. A distinctive feature of Egor’s work is his special attention to the emotional state of the model and his ability to convey it through carefully arranged composition and lighting. His photos are filled with dynamism, making the viewer a participant in the captured moment.
Knowing how to “catch the moment” and let the subject appear naturally—or, conversely, skillfully play a prescribed role—sets Egor’s work apart from countless others. His photographs draw you in, evoking unique associations in each viewer, creating a special mood, and leaving a pleasant aftertaste. This emotional richness and depth, which makes you return to the photos again and again, has become the photographer’s calling card. It is precisely why clients of international stature value his work.
Photography as a Means to Convey Brand Philosophy and DNA
Collaborating with global fashion brands is more than just shooting clothing or accessories. It is always essential to capture and convey a brand’s philosophy and DNA through the images.
“Speaking of recent work, for Calvin Klein I shot influencers in pieces from a new collection, without being able to show the photos or disclose the shoot publicly—because the sales launch was still ahead, and the clothing wasn’t yet available for the public eye. I also worked in an old mansion side by side with a video team for Estée Lauder, whose products help highlight every girl’s uniqueness in this world,” Egor says.
A photographer’s mission in brand shoots is not merely to photograph a product beautifully but to transmit the mood and concept that the brand invests in a particular collection or product line. Achieving this requires a deep sensitivity to the brand’s DNA, philosophy, and audience.
Creative Experiments in Unconventional Advertising Campaigns
Each project is a field for experimentation for Egor Vasiliev, a chance to incorporate his personal vision while meeting the brand’s objectives. His ability to balance the client’s precise requirements with his own artistic style makes his works recognizable and in high demand. One such noteworthy project was an advertising campaign for the hair styling brand Got2b, one of Schwarzkopf’s product lines.
“It was one of my largest and most memorable projects. With support from the American cosmetics brand Benefit, the Polish clothing brand Reserved, and the Russian jewelry house Valtera, we transformed 20 top beauty bloggers and celebrities, dividing them into four categories according to the main hair trends at that time. The hairstylists used Got2b products to create unforgettable looks, which I was entrusted to capture,” Egor recalls.
The uniqueness of the project also lay in its complexity: four days of intensive shooting, working with bloggers and celebrities, each having her own vision of her image. Egor managed to precisely highlight each individual’s distinctiveness, accentuate their best features, and convey the brand’s mission. This exhibition became a significant milestone in the photographer’s professional career, demonstrating his ability to work on large-scale international projects requiring not only technical expertise but also the capacity to realize a brand’s marketing strategy through artistic images.
As part of the Got2b project, Egor’s work wasn’t limited to creating photos for the promo site. The images were so striking that they were showcased in a full-scale photo exhibition in central Moscow.
“When your work goes beyond the digital realm into a physical space, taking on a new life on gallery walls—it’s a special feeling. I was glad to welcome dozens of guests at the exhibition, to have the chance to talk about the project’s visual concept, share details of the shooting process, and see the fruits of my labor exhibited on the gallery walls,” says Egor.
The Secret of Being in Demand and Staying Relevant in a Rapidly Changing Industry
How has Egor Vasiliev managed to remain one of the most sought-after fashion photographers for over 14 years, consistently collaborating with top magazines and brands? According to Egor himself, the secret lies in foreseeing trends and constantly bringing something new to his work.
A photographer must always keep up with emerging directions in fashion photography, incorporate fresh ideas and techniques into shoots, and experiment with technology and locations.
The Impact of Digitalization and Democratization
The fashion photography field has changed significantly in recent years. Digital technologies and social media have not only transformed the technical side of the process but have also influenced creative approaches. Egor Vasiliev explains how these global shifts have affected his work.
“Consumers are increasingly drawn to images that feel genuine, real, and unpolished. We’re seeing a clear shift away from overly stylized or heavily retouched visuals toward a more natural, authentic look,” the photographer notes.
Technological advances such as AI also open up new horizons for photographers:
“AI can assist with color correction, object recognition, and even the creation of stylistic effects during post-processing. AI-generated images, where machine learning models create images from scratch based on a user’s detailed request or process existing ones, are emerging,” Egor explains.
Nonetheless, in Egor’s view, the most important aspects of fashion photography still hinge on the photographer’s creative vision and storytelling ability:
“It’s primarily those who focus on authenticity and narrative who stand out. It’s not enough to simply show a beautiful person or object; you have to try to tell a complete story through your photo,” Egor advises.
An Inspiring Journey: Advice for Aspiring Fashion Photographers
Egor Vasiliev’s experience shows that to reach the top in fashion photography, you need to work hard, believe in yourself, and not be afraid to take risks. There’s no room for fear and stereotypes in this industry, but there are limitless opportunities to realize your creative potential.
His advice to aspiring fashion photographers is to find your style through experimentation, not be afraid to try new things, and believe in your abilities.
“Start by experimenting—trying out different techniques, genres, and presentation styles to discover what resonates most with you. Study other photographers, but don’t copy them blindly. In the beginning, there’s nothing shameful about imitation; it helps you hone your technical skills and understand another creative mind’s logic. But use other people’s work as inspiration to expand your own boundaries,” the photographer says.
Egor Vasiliev’s example encourages us not to fear dreaming and to pursue our goals no matter what. After all, that is the only way to achieve true success and recognition in the work you love.
