Today we’d like to introduce you to Zakaria Chelidze.
Hi Zakaria, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from Georgia, and photography has been a way for me to observe and document the world around me for many years. I’ve always been drawn to real people, everyday moments, and the stories that can be told without words. My work has naturally developed around documentary, black-and-white, street, cultural, and event photography.
I began my photography journey in Tbilisi, a city that has had a huge influence on the way I see light, people, architecture, and everyday life. Over the years, I had the opportunity to photograph different people, places, artists, cultural events, and moments in Georgia. Eventually, my journey brought me to New York, which opened a completely new chapter for me both personally and creatively.
Moving from Georgia to New York meant adapting to a new environment while continuing to develop my own visual language. Today, I continue working as a photographer and documenting the people, cultures, and stories around me. Looking back, I see photography less as a career path with a fixed destination and more as an ongoing journey — every place I live, every person I meet, and every experience I have changes the way I see and photograph the world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges was leaving Georgia and starting a new chapter in New York. When you move to a new country, you’re not only rebuilding your professional network, but also adjusting to a different culture, environment, and way of life. As a photographer, you have to prove yourself again and find your place in a very competitive city.
There have also been the challenges that come with choosing a creative career — uncertainty, finding consistent opportunities, and balancing artistic work with the practical side of making a living. But those experiences have shaped me as much as the good ones. They taught me to be patient, adaptable, and persistent, and I think they also made my photography more personal.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work is primarily focused on documentary, street, portrait, and event photography. I’m drawn to real people and authentic moments — the small details, expressions, and interactions that often go unnoticed. I’ve always been interested in using photography not just to create a beautiful image, but to tell a story and preserve a moment that may never happen again.
I’m especially proud of the body of work I’ve built between Georgia and New York. These are two very different places, but both have shaped the way I see people, culture, architecture, and everyday life. Being able to document different communities, artists, cultural events, and ordinary moments has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.
What sets my work apart is probably the way I observe. I don’t like to over-direct or force a moment. I prefer to become part of the environment, pay attention, and wait for something genuine to happen. Whether I’m photographing a person, a street, or an event, I want the final image to feel honest and timeless. For me, the best photographs are the ones that make you feel something before you even know the story behind them.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like most about New York is its energy and diversity. There are so many different cultures, personalities, neighborhoods, and stories existing side by side. As a photographer, that’s incredibly inspiring because you can walk the same street every day and still notice something completely new. I also love the sense that the city is constantly moving and changing — there’s always another story to discover.
What I like least is probably the pace of life. New York can be intense, crowded, and exhausting, and sometimes it feels like everyone is always rushing somewhere. It can be difficult to slow down and simply enjoy the moment. But in a way, even that has influenced my photography — it makes me want to notice and capture those quiet, human moments in the middle of all that movement
Pricing:
- Pricing is available upon request and varies depending on the project.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zakaria_chelidze
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19xFVWNQvb/
