Say freeze! Inuits from remote Russia get used to being photographed for the very first time


Braving temperatures of -45f to visit a place that is literally located at the end of the earth, Sasha Leahovcenco photographed people who have never had their picture taken before.



Trudging through snow drifts and blizzards, across the deep tundra of the northern Russian region of Chukotka, Leahovcenco traveled to meet a small nomadic tribe of reindeer herders - disconnected from the modern world where the way of life has barely changed for thousands of years.



Bringing along a digital printer to the region where it the record high is barely above 90f, Leahovcenco photographed the men, women and children of the hardy native people there - and then to their delight showed them pictures of themselves for the first time in their lives.

Selfie time? Two members of an Inuit tribe that live in the remote Russian region of Chukotka smile heartily for the camera as part of Sash Leahovcenco's picture project where people had their picture taken for the first time ever

The intrepid photographer undertook two expeditions to Chukotka, once in 2011 and another repeat journey earlier this year.

In addition to photographing those who have never been photographed before, Leahovcenco was also bringing the nomadic tribes 'warm clothes, shoes, gifts, and simply show them grace and love.'

Father and family: A man and his partner pose for their picture - probably one of the first time that they have ever done so under the watchful eye of Sasha Leahovcenco



Love and hard work: A member of one of the indigenous tribes of Chukotka poses for a photograph for the first time with his partner in the Russian wilderness Frost: This boy will grow up in temperatures as low as -50f in the wilds of Chukotka in northwestern Russia Rugged: A man and his dog lie on the vast open terrain of the Chukotka territory of Russia - behind are the reindeer the nomads herd and live from Proud: Two men and some of their livestock pose for what could possibly be the first ever picture taken of them - which will be later shown to them to their obvious glee Group hug on the tundra: Sasha Leahovcenco grabs two new buddies for a picture while their dog looks bemused as he stares up at his master Reindeer and their boss: Despite never having had his picture taken before this man seems to strike a natural pose for the camera

Smile! Sasha Leahovenco poses with his new-found friends in one of the two remote villages in Chukotka in Russia that he visited for the first time in 2011 and again in March 2013

When asked to describe his incredible experiences in the frozen wilderness and what the photographs meant to the people who snapped, Leahovcenco said that he was sure it changed them - because it definitely changed him.



'If I would choose one word to say, it would be 'memory.' said Leahovcenco according to Help-Portrait.com



'More than that – 'good memories.' And let me explain why. Eight months during the year – it’s winter there. More than that half of this time, people don’t see sun, because its just don’t raise up. People are just depressed.



'And when I was photographing them, that was the moment when they actually could smile and forget all their troubles and problems in life and feel happy for a minute, and I would capture that on a photo, which they will cherish, I believe for the rest their life.'

At the end of the world: The Chukotka region of Russia is vast and wild and only 50,000 people live there

Assistants: This cute child stands outside of the nomadic tribes tent on the Russian tundra as one of his friends helps with the light hat

Gritty: Two friends with cold bitten rosy cheeks stare straight through the camera as the photographer Sasha captures the reality of life for children at the camp

This is me: This woman holds her own picture - with a look of pride that reveals it is the first time she has been gifted her own portrait

Photograph: This young man brandishes his portrait as he poses for the camera for Sasha at one of the two encampments he visited on the Russian tundra in Chukotka

Keepsake: Two children hold their photographic portraits - which they will be able to stash away for years to come

Wonder: This little child stares with open amazement at a picture for the first time

Freezing: This lady looks bewildered about the process of a photograph and stares sternly at the camera

Warmth: When the sun sets the nomads of Chukotka retire indoors to feel the heat from their fire

Indeed, for those rare people who live on the roadless terrain, having their first picture taken is one thing.



In fact, for most of these people, this was the first time that they had ever entertained or seen a guest.



Sustaining themselves through their reindeer herding, whale hunting and fishing, the people Leahovcenco visited can only be reached by airplane.



Leahovenco, who was born in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, but who currently lives in Sacremento, found that his life was changed by his experiences with the tribes of Chukotka.

