I love reading and writing stories about talented photographers and their work. What I love even more is to get to know them and hear what’s behind their persistence, passion, and ultimately, their results. Roman Akulov is definitely one of them, and his story is the one about making it in the world of photography against all odds.

Roman lives in Novosibirsk, Russia. He grew up in an orphanage with a rare condition called phocomelia, which means his hands grow directly from his shoulders. That’s the part most people would focus on and stare at. But his condition is not the center of his story. It’s his persistence, talent, and a dark sense of humor that I absolutely love.

In a video by Vlad Ventura, we spend an entire day with Roman. We get to know this young photographer in a short documentary that follows him both through his daily routine and a day of shooting. I was also honored to ask Roman a few questions myself, so I hope you’ll enjoy Vlad’s video, my article, and our effort to present this amazing guy to the world.

Mornings With Roman

Morning at Roman’s apartment is ordinary, pretty much like yours or mine. He brushes his teeth, makes breakfast, gets dressed. What makes his mornings different is that he often uses his feet and teeth to help him do daily tasks. This just shows how adaptable humans are, and how persistent and resilient we are even when we think otherwise.

­Roman confirms this in a way, saying that he ­does most things on autopilot and doesn’t really think about having limitations. Around the age of ten or eleven, he understood that this was the body he had and that he’d have to adapt. So he did.

Other than Roman’s work that totally enchanted me, I loved his sense of humor. He says he’s a T-Rex while sipping tea from a T-Rex mug. As Vlad follows him through the gym, Roman says, “It’s constantly leg day for me.” As a fellow Slavic girl, this kind of humor is particularly close to my heart.

In the Studio and the Exhibition

As I already mentioned, Roman is a talented photographer, and his work found its place in several major magazines, including Vogue. He’s particularly focused on fashion photography, but you’ll also see portraits and everyday street scenes in his portfolio.

Due to his condition, Roman usually chooses lightweight gear. He doesn’t modify the cameras, just holds them a bit differently. While he doesn’t see his condition as limiting for his work, his back and neck do get strained if he shoots for longer periods of time.

Later that day, Vlad and Roman take us to Roman’s solo exhibition at the Kapustakor gallery. This is when I first spotted how stunning Roman’s photos are and wanted to learn even more about him and his work. One of his most personal images is titled “Freedom.” He says it represents who he is now – more daring, more himself.

When choosing titles, Roman likes to keep them simple. Let people find their own meaning. He doesn’t want to dictate interpretation, and his photography style definitely allows you to find your own.

Vlad asked Roman an interesting question: if a wizard offered him fully functional hands but took away his ability and desire to photograph, would he accept? I’ll let you discover the response in the video because it’s a very powerful moment, and so striking to hear Roman’s reasoning behind his answer. When you play the video, it should play in English automatically. And move on to share my conversation with Roman. Thank you, Vlad, for the translation!

DIYP’s Chat With Roman

DIYP: What do you want someone to feel first when they see your work?
Roman: A sense of surprise and the immediate question: “What exactly is going on here?” I want the viewer to be intrigued.

DIYP: If you had to shoot with just one setup for a year, what would it be? Do you have a favorite camera and lens?
Roman: Currently, I shoot with three different cameras: a Canon EOS M50 Mark II (with a kit lens), a Canon 650D (with a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8), and for analog work, a 35mm film Canon 300V (with a 28-90mm lens). But if I had to choose just one ideal setup to shoot with for an entire year, it would definitely be a Canon EOS R8 paired with a 24-70mm lens.

DIYP: Do you feel you’ve found your signature style yet – or are you still searching?
Roman: It’s hard to give a definitive answer. On one hand, it’s natural for a photographer to constantly evolve – you might get tired of one style and feel the urge to experiment. But on the other hand, your “foundational” style never really disappears; it organically blends into your new explorations and becomes their bedrock. So, I would say it’s more of a “yes” than a “no.”du

DIYP: What kind of fashion brands would you love to collaborate with?
Roman: I would absolutely love to shoot for Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, and Tom Ford.

DIYP: How do you balance artistic vision with commercial expectations?
Roman: I always start from the premise that the client and I share the exact same goal. First, I thoroughly study the brief and listen to their vision and expectations. Then, I offer my own visual solutions. In most cases, our ideas of the perfect result align naturally, or we easily find a compromise – that “sweet spot” where commercial goals and pure creativity meet. Once we find that point, we use it as the foundation for the entire shoot.

DIYP: On a personal note, and if it’s not too sensitive: What would you say to little Roman if you met him today?
Roman: Don’t be afraid of anything. Go after your goals, pushing right through the fears.

Powerful words that I’d also love to say to little Dunja and to every kid terrified of the big, scary world.

I urge you to watch the video Vlad made with Roman, as well as his other work on Instagram and YouTube. He even made a documentary in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, where I currently reside. 🙂 Make sure to also check out Roman’s work on Instagram.

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