Natalya Saprunova
Natalya Saprunova, born in 1986 in Murmansk, a city located in Russia’s Arctic region, is a Paris-based photographer and a member of the prestigious Zeppelin photo agency. Her journey into photography began early, driven by a passion to capture the life and landscapes of the Great North. Saprunova initially pursued higher education as a French teacher in Russia while also working as a photojournalist for the Murmansk Messenger, a local newspaper. Her early work in journalism provided her with a foundation in storytelling through images, documenting life in the harsh, yet beautiful Arctic.
In 2008, she moved to France, where she transitioned into a career in marketing, working for eight years in Paris. However, Saprunova’s deep-rooted love for photography never waned. In 2016, she made a life-changing decision to leave her corporate role and return to her true calling. That same year, she became a French citizen and embarked on formal photojournalism training at the esteemed EMI-CFD school in Paris, graduating in the spring of 2020.
Saprunova’s photographic work predominantly explores the remote regions of the Great North, including Russian Lapland, Eastern Siberia, Yakutia, and Canada’s Northwest Territories. Her projects delve into the socio-cultural lives of indigenous peoples, focusing on their traditions, resilience, and the challenges they face due to the impacts of climate change. Through her work, Saprunova has documented the lives of the Evenki people in Yakutia and the Saami of Northern Europe, illustrating how these communities act as custodians of the land and resources in these fragile environments.
Her photographic style, which can be described as socio-anthropological documentary realism, allows her to present an intimate portrayal of the people she photographs. Saprunova’s visual narratives blend stark realism with a deep respect for her subjects’ dignity and way of life, offering audiences an immersive understanding of the complex environmental and social changes affecting these regions.
In addition to her own projects, Natalya Saprunova has been committed to sharing her expertise with others. Since 2016, she has been a photography instructor at the Graine de Photographe school in Paris, where she teaches budding photographers the art of visual storytelling. She also leads photo tours for French groups to culturally significant locations in Russia, including Saint Petersburg and Lake Baikal, where she shares her unique insights into these regions.
Saprunova’s work is not just celebrated for its aesthetic value but also for its ability to raise awareness about critical issues such as climate change, the preservation of indigenous cultures, and the human connection to the environment. Her evocative images act as both documentation and advocacy, urging global audiences to engage with the stories of the North and consider the broader implications of climate and cultural shifts in these regions.
Saprunova’s work has garnered international recognition, earning her a place in numerous prominent exhibitions. Her projects have been showcased in prestigious venues around the world:
■ ZEKE Award winners at Photoville 2024, The Evenki People, custodians of the resources of Yakutia
■ #ReframeClimate by Magnum Foundation and Dysturb, New York City, April 2024, Permafrost
■ Zoom Photo Festival 2023, Chicoutimi, Québec, Canada, Saamis
■ Helsinki Photo Festival 2023, Finland, Living on the Pole of Cold
■ Normandy World Peace Forum 2023, Caen, France, Saamis
■ Visa pour l’image 2023, Perpignan, France, The Evenki people, custodians of the resources of Yakutia
■ Les Femmes s’exposent festival 2023, Houlgate,
