Welcome back to our ongoing artist spotlight series where we pull back the curtain on the creative process and explore the lives of the brilliant minds shaping today’s visual arts community. Today we are sitting down to discuss technique, inspiration, and the relentless pursuit of artistic expression with independent visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker Joshgun Suleymanov.
Based in Baku, Azerbaijan, Suleymanov’s portfolio challenges conventional boundaries, moving far beyond standard street documentation to create a deeply personal visual world through pure in-camera experimentation and physical, optical techniques.
Every artist remembers the exact moment when the pull toward creation became impossible to ignore. For Suleymanov, the journey began as a childhood dream of becoming a filmmaker without knowing where or how to begin. That ambition was first sparked when he started taking pictures with an old Nokia phone, making photography his natural starting point alongside a lifelong passion for music and painting.
“As far back as I can remember, I wanted to become a filmmaker,” he shares, noting how those early creative explorations eventually evolved into a dedicated career defined by rigorous discipline and a refusal to compromise on vision.
I initially switched to the Fujifilm X100S because I started out shooting street photography, and its compact size was a huge advantage. When people see you with a large camera, they often freeze up, but with a small camera, they usually don’t take you seriously, which creates a comfortable environment.
In an era dominated by digital shortcuts and algorithm-driven popularity, our featured artist remains fiercely committed to authentic physical capture. Suleymanov relies primarily on a Fujifilm X100S for its compact size….which allows him to photograph people without causing them to freeze up….as well as a Sony α6500 for its versatility with adapted lenses on small film projects. However, he is never tied to just one piece of equipment, occasionally spending months shooting with toy cameras that print pictures immediately. Crucially, he does not edit his photos, maintaining a strict discipline that ensures each image is fully formed at the exact moment of shutter release.
“It is essential for me that the photograph is fully formed at the exact moment of capture,” he explains, noting that even rare sensor dust is usually left in the frame to preserve the physical and real character of the work.
The photography process itself excites me immensely. The core element for me is the moment of shooting — searching, observing, encountering something, and filtering it through my own vision
Maintaining a vibrant creative practice requires more than just technical skill; it demands a sustainable lifestyle, internal exploration, and clear boundaries between fleeting social media metrics and enduring art. Suleymanov focuses on sharing only the works he is truly satisfied with on selected days rather than chasing daily likes or quick sales. Whether he is transforming an ordinary shop mannequin into an otherworldly entity or dreaming up new concepts inspired by Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, his creative drive centres entirely on building a recognizable signature style.
When he is not behind the lens or managing print sales, he enjoys playing music and performing song covers, drawing inspiration from profound cinematic soundscapes and finding steady support from his mother.
True artistic longevity comes from staying true to your medium, rejecting superficial trends, and refusing to rush the process of discovery.
Artist Links & Media
- Official Website: Joshgun Suleymanov Art
- Instagram: @joshgunsuleymanov.art
- Short Film (“Gül”): Instagram Reel
Featured Soundtracks & Influences
Theodoros Angelopoulos – The Weeping Meadow (Main Theme):
Andrey Tarkovsky – Stalker (Soundtrack by Eduard Artemyev):
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTzte1fDiTA/
