Alexander Ivashkevich (born in Tbilisi, Georgia in 1960, currently living in Tallinn, Estonia) is a photographer and theater actor who primarily works in portrait and boudoir photography.
He has been involved in photography for over 25 years and has focused on portraiture for more than 15 years. Influenced by his background in dramatic theater, his work focuses on direct interaction with subjects and psychological portraiture.
Ivashkevich uses traditional techniques and materials, such as printing on glass and Verre Églomisé.
His work has been exhibited in Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Switzerland, Russia, and it is included in private collections in Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
I believe that people nowadays need to feel the world much more sophisticatedly than our modern everyday life offers."
style
The artist’s interest in fine art and photography was further inspired by his life-long career in the dramatic theatre. As an actor, he is able to access subtle emotions that are usually forgotten and overlooked in everyday life. Photography, for him, is a continuation of acting and communicating with the audience; it is a form of "directing": creating roles, emotions and atmosphere.
His photoworks often feel like they hold a narrative or an emotional riddle. They don’t resolve everything visually: you sense something is unsaid, something beyond the frame. This gives his images a contemplative atmosphere, something you can meditate on.
Ivashkevich's style definitely resists current fashion gloss or commercial trends. He tries to avoid clichés, avoids crude sexuality; there is a refinement, a restraint.
Inspiration
He draws inspiration from renowned painters of past centuries (Leonardo da Vinci, the Pre-Raphaelites, and the Impressionists), whose vision of natural human beauty aligns with his perception of the beauty canons of past times. He is also inspired by vintage aesthetic - not only in fashion or costume, but in mood, in light, in how beauty is treated: less gloss, more nuance; sensuality, tenderness without vulgarity.
This has shaped his visual language, and as a result, his photographs are often described as paintings rather than traditional photography.
Posing and Emotional Discovery
Posing is often one of the most challenging aspects of a photo session. Each shoot has its own purpose — whether it’s to reveal the model’s personality, highlight their individuality, or convey softness, strength, or sensuality. What makes portrait photography truly captivating is its ability to capture natural, spontaneous moments rather than photographing strict, stylized and artificial posing.
“My main goal during each photo session is to uncover a person’s inner potential — regardless of age. I create roles and emotional narratives tailored to each individual; expressions are born out of interaction, out of moment.”
This process offers a rare chance to see yourself from a new perspective — to explore the depths of your emotional world and take part in a story that is entirely your own.
Sometimes photo sessions last for more than 4 hours, but this time passes really quickly, as clients find themselves fully engaged in a journey of self-discovery. The result is not just a photograph, but a transformation: life begins to feel more vibrant, and a quiet desire awakens — to become more in tune with oneself, to listen to the inner voice, and to grow.
This is what continues to inspire me to work with people again and again — each story is unique, each experience deeply human.
artwork presentation
Most images are printed on fine art paper (Hahnemühle Matt FineArt 308 g/m²), ensuring exceptional quality, depth, and archival longevity, while some are rendered on glass using verre églomisé, a traditional 17th-century French gilding technique. This technique transforms each piece into a unique fine art object. Each photowork is individually framed and protected with museum-grade, anti-reflective glass.
Through years of experimenting, I have refined an approach that resonates with my vision - one that carefully considers color, texture, and detail to bring out the right emotions in each image. Each piece demands careful attention to color, texture, and detail, and sometimes, I set my work aside to return later with a fresh perspective, ensuring that every image aligns with my artistic intent".
education
• 1996 – 1997 Ballet Arts, Broadway Dance Center, New York, USA
• 1993 Tap dance, Woodpeckers Tap Dance Center, New York, USA
• 1978 – 1982 Theater and movie actor, The Arts College, Kharkiv, Ukraine
collaborations
• Vene Teater (Russian Theater), Estonia
• Alexandra Lind Discovery Perfumes, Estonia
• Kroonika Magazine, Estonia
• Clothing Brand YEAR, Estonia
• Nanoasia & Bellapierre Cosmetics, Estonia
• MGM Aria Hotel/Casino, Las Vegas, USA
photo projects
• 2024 – 2023 Boudoir: costumes and accessories of past years (1900–1960) (in collaboration with Alexandre Vassiliev Foundation), Estonia
• 2024, 2018 Faces of Estonian culture (Update on the project The art of life)
• 2021 Beauty and Psychology in Photography, Tallinn, Estonia
• 2015 – 2010 The art of life (Portraits of influential figures shaping Estonia’s cultural landscape)