Professional photographer Alexander Petrosyan has dedicated his entire life to the discovery and documentation of the streets of St. Petersburg. His street photography has a set theme – beautiful yet grotesque. These pictures capture the raw beauty from the unpredictable streets of Russia and are very different from the picture postcards that you would normally buy as a tourist. Alexander’s greatest inspiration is the city itself and he has found a great way to ensure that the documentation of the city does not go unnoticed.
Alone At Last
Looking at this woman sitting in her window will surely give you an idea of the beauty of the streets of St. Petersburg. Even though she may seem to be alone at last in her room, you can clearly see how she does not mind sitting out on the ledge for everyone to see her.
The Smiling Kitten
There is nothing as precious as the smile of a baby; well, in this case a kitten. The eyes of this adorable cat hold so much and yet have not lost their innocence.
Dining With The Family
The expression of the little girl is enough to explain the whole picture. This is how most of us feel at family dinners where everyone is talking about various things while we sit on one side of the table looking like this.
Hiding Love
Two women in love is taboo in Russia and people in a homosexual relationship have to hide their relationship from everyone, with the fear of being arrested. This is why these two women are hiding on the rooftop of their building so that no one will be able to see them together.
Similar Expressions
There is a similarity between the expression of the old lady and that of the cat. They both seem to have lived long lives and their eyes, while tired, hold a lot of wisdom. We are sure that if the cat could talk, it would have many interesting stories to tell too.
Respecting Other Cultures
You might have seen many countries where people are afraid of or discriminate against other cultures. The goths and the emos around the world face such hatred and discrimination everyday. However, the people of Russia seem to be too busy with their own lives to do the same.
Sneaking In
Everyone is well aware of the Walk of Shame, where you spend the night in some stranger’s house and then regret it the next morning. This woman has taken the Walk of Shame to an entirely new level.
Going Somewhere?
This cow must be heading somewhere. You can see how it seems to have a sense of purpose and is not at all perplexed with the things around her. We should all follow her example and take some direction in our lives too.
Hidden In Snow
The hungry wolf in the picture is on the lookout for the cat. So you could say it’s good luck that it had snowed in the night before and the cat was stuck in the car.
Living In The Moment
While most of the people would be recording events on their phones to watch them later, this woman has learnt in her life that it is best to always enjoy the moment in the present.
Something Interesting In The Streets
Something interesting must be going on in the street below since the woman and the dog are both looking down. The woman noticed the camera and looked at it while the dog was still enjoying the view of the street.
Man With A Duck
We are sure that there must be quite an interesting story behind this man and his duck. The two of them seem to be riding on the train as if it were a normal, daily occurrence.
Date With A View
This is how you celebrate with your friends. You need to have a couple of drinks, a good rapport with the other person and a jaw-dropping view in the background.
Hidden Love
This old man has certainly enjoyed his life to the fullest. Even at his age, he has a secret that he does not want to share with the rest of the world. He has kept his lady love hidden behind the curtain for the picture.
Reflections Matter
This lady noticed the photographer in the reflection of the water display. You can clearly see her expression in the reflection, as if she is not entirely sure about her picture being taken.
Wishing Them Good Luck
This lady was out there wishing the Russian boys good luck when they were about to embark upon a mission. Having memories like this one is what keeps you sane when you are out there in the battlefield.
The Mascot
You can see the standoff between the policeman and the mascot. It would be interesting to watch how things play out in this situation. The pigeon seems to look quite angry by the expression on its face.
Celebrating Love
Here is another picture of two women celebrating the love that they have for each other. We just hope that they are not caught by the authorities since it is forbidden to have homosexual relationships in Russia.
Too Much Vodka
We are pretty sure that the man falling from the bench had quite a fun night. It is a marvel that the photographer managed to capture the moment at the right time.
Doing His Part
Every little effort counts when it comes to putting out a fire. This man thought that he would help the firemen in his own way and we are sure that the way that he is smiling at the camera, he must have been successful.
Medals And Sacrifice
Soldiers from all countries have faced this situation. They can come back from war and get medals for their sacrifice but the medals do not buy them the food that they require for their survival.
All The Colors
When you celebrate, celebrate big. This Russian man is just standing there, watching the sparks from the fireworks. It is truly an amazing capture.
Reach The Sky
There is something about birds flying that gives you the hope of a day when we are all free and can live the way we want to. This hope should never die.
What Shall Stand?
These horses seem to be mocking the car that was involved in an accident. They are looking down upon the car and taking pride in the fact that they are still standing.
Carrying Legs
You might think that this woman is in a sultry pose but she is just doing her job and carrying the legs of a mannequin from one place to another. The expression on her face is that of exasperation.
Talk Politics
Have you ever wondered if birds also talk about all the things that are happening in their lives with each other? These pigeons seem to be in a serious conversation.
Childhood Days
Gone are the times when you could play outside with other children and have fun without needing any digital consoles. All you needed was a little chalk and you could use your imagination to make up your own games.
Russians And Mannequins
Russian people seem to be obsessed with mannequins since here is another picture with a mannequin in a rather awkward position. Imagine the outrage that would have been caused if the lady next to it was sitting in the same position.
Beautiful Sunsets
Mother Russia also holds another beautiful weapon in its arsenal: the beautiful sunsets that will melt your heart. However, sunsets alone cannot create a beautiful moment. You also need an expert photographer to make sure that the moment is well documented.
Cat Lady
This lady has a special bond with her cats. She has a special place in her heart for all her kittens and you can clearly see that with the way that she is holding and embracing the little black kitten.
Jaws Of Death
It is ironic that someone would jump at the same time that there is a procession happening on the streets with a huge skeleton. It seems like death came in the form of the skeleton for that man..
Monday Snow
This little fellow is facing the Monday Blues and it does not help that it is snowing really hard. All things considered, he is having a pretty rough time.
Grocery Shopping
It snows a lot in Russia but that doesn’t mean day-to-day life stops. You still have to go out and buy daily essentials, just like this man who is carrying the groceries home through the thick snow.
Wedding Shot
You can see how the Russian weddings can take place out in the open. There are crowds all around but the couple seems content with having the wedding ceremony in the middle of the square.
Old-Timey Cameras
This old lady in the forefront is quite excited about the fact that she is covering some event. The overall tone of the event seems to be serious judging by the expressions on the faces of the other people.
Checking Him Out
This woman fears no judgement from the people around her when she is checking out the man carrying his bags. This is how every woman should be, without a care of what other people think of them.
Miniature Man
At first glance, it looks like the female officer is carrying the miniature man on her hand. But it is all a matter of perspective and the man is actually climbing a ladder in the background.
Napoleon Impersonator
This little man looks a lot like Napoleon Bonaparte, an old king from history. You could even say that his entire life has shaped him to play this role everywhere he goes.
Stuck In A Moment
There are many people all around the globe who stay stuck in a moment. While the rest of the world passes by, these people stay in the moment where their mind finds the most peace.
Cringe And Magnificence
This wedding picture would have turned out beautifully had it not been for the old man who was smoking a cigarette while the bride and groom were kissing on the bridge.
On The Bus
A bus is a great place to watch the world go by. This dog is looking at the world with a dreamy look in his eyes.
Looking Out
This old man is just looking out of his window, not worrying who will see him without his clothes on. He is just going to stand there and gaze out at the world below.
Hello Soldier
This soldier is going to get posted soon so he decided to get married to his girlfriend. All of his friends are there to cheer him on for their special day.
Alone And Envious
Whenever you are at a party, you will always spot someone just looking out at the dance floor, wondering if someone will ask them for a dance.
Limos And Horses
These parents decided to take their children out on a special picnic. While they all arrived in limousines, the part that the children really enjoyed was the horseback riding.
Following Santa
Remember the tale of the Pied Piper who led all the rats away from the city? This time around, it was the cats who were following Santa Claus.
Walking Around Together
These two girls are having a merry time walking the streets of Russia. However, they need to be careful holding hands since it can be construed as something illegal in Russia.
The Cold Weather
You can clearly see how cold it is in Russia. This man is very brave to have jumped into the ice cold water and clearly everyone else thought the same thing.
Feathers All Around
For this man it seems like his happiness knows no bounds. It looks like he has opened up a feather pillow and dispersed all the feathers into the air.
Contrasting Views
These are two totally opposite views that you can see in this picture. The two men are exercising on the beach while the woman is just there to relax.
Looking For The Dog
This man is out there looking for his dog and he is apparently looking in the wrong direction. The dog is out there enjoying the snowfall from last night.
Looking At Art
When you are at an art gallery, you will see many people observing the various art pieces that are displayed. However, this woman did something different and glared at the people who were looking at the art.
Watching Them Howl
This little kid is just standing there, watching all the cats and dogs. You can see how interested she is in the howling of the dog.
She’s Named Desire
Although she is not actually named Desire, she is, in essence, the desire of the men around her. Just look at the way that all the men around her are admiring her beauty and gazing at her with desire in their eyes.
Looking At The Cosmos Above
We have to wonder what is so interesting in the sky above that the man in the window and the man on the stairs are both looking at the skies above.
Taking A Break
This man is an inspiration to everyone around the world. While the rest of your team is hard at work, there are times when you just need to take a break and have a short nap.
Hard Times
There are many countries in which a majority of people go through hard times. They are unable to get the daily essentials that they need in order to feed their family.
Behind The Flag
This man is surely hiding many secrets. Perhaps that is why he is hiding his face behind the red flag. For all we know, he could be an intelligence officer who does not want to reveal his face.
All The Right Moves
This is quite an amazing picture. You can see how beautifully all the moves of the dancers have been captured. Did you know that the Russian ballet is one of the most famous dance groups in the world?
Shooing The Birds Away
It is amazing to see that a Russian man is throwing alcohol. The stereotype against the Russians is that they are quite fond of their drink. Perhaps he just hated the pigeons too much.
Coming Into Detention
You know that the woman on the right is in big trouble. Just by the looks on their faces, you can see that she is being reported for something serious.
Fashion Takes A Hit
You know that the fashion sense around the world has taken a hit when a woman wore this maxi dress out in public. Being a Russian woman, she is not much concerned about what people might think of her.
Buying Food
You can clearly see that this man is buying food. The weird thing is that he seems to be coming out of a shop that is meant for mannequins, given the mannequins outside the shop.
Working At An Old Age
It is a real shame to see people at such an old age still working to earn their daily bread. It must be a hard life.
Carrying The Siblings
Just look at this little guy carrying his siblings in a little cart. They look so cute, but a little agitated from the expressions on their faces.
Enjoying A Smoke
This couple is taking a break from the humdrum of their lives and are enjoying a smoke. The guy in the picture seems to be exceptionally worried about something given the expression on his face.
Piece Of Art
Have you ever seen artwork that is so mesmerizing that you just cannot take your eyes off it? This is exactly what happened here when this woman was mesmerized by the picture of the children.
Living In Ruins
Being an adult, when you look at this picture you might feel a tinge of sadness about the fact that these children are living in the ruins of a house. However, the children seem to be happy and content with their lives.
Carrying Responsibilities
This soldier is carrying the Russian flag across what seems to be a government building. You can see how the weight of the responsibilities of a nation’s security has not slouched the posture of the young man.
Saying Prayers
While the rest of the people in the picture are saying their prayers, this woman is just walking by. It might look like she has photobombed the picture, but what if it was she who was the subject of the picture in the first place?
Toilet
Both the doors read “Toilet” above them and this lady in the center seems to be confused as to which one she should head for. After all, both of the doors are attended by women.
Doing Their Part
These two dogs are doing their part in standing guard of the procession of the people. They are protecting the marching citizens from any harm that might come their way.
Female Masking
There is a subculture called Female Masking where men dress as women. They do not do it to insult women in any way. They just find that their bodies are more accustomed to clothes made for women.
Living On The Street
This is one of the saddest pictures on this list. The children are living on the streets and there is no one around to help them. Just look at this guy sleeping on the road.
Did She Pose?
Look carefully at the painting in the background. Does it not look like the woman who is carrying the bag in the middle of the photo?
Dramatic Picture
This is quite a dramatic picture and the lights and shadows on the floor and the walls create the perfect light for the man to be walking with enthusiasm, carrying the Russian flag.
Shrek Makes The Cut
This man must be thinking that the alcohol in his beer might have affected his brain to the extent that he is starting to see a real life Shrek.
Bridesmaids
These little girls might not be aware of the fact that someone close to them is getting married but they are definitely aware of the fact that their picture is being taken. Yet, they choose to pout.
Ballerinas At Work
We have to wonder about the news that the ballerina in the front gave to the team since it has to be so shocking to make everyone look so concerned.
Buried In Feathers
It must be fun to get buried under a whole bunch of feathers. Just imagine how soft they must feel.
When The Food Is Not Tasty
It looks like this kid is being given food under the authority of the people around her. She did not like the taste of the food which is quite evident from the expression on her face.
Looking The Wrong Way
While all the people in the picture are looking one way, this kid has found something interesting to look at and is looking in an entirely different direction.
Mud All Around
There is mud all around and yet, by some miracle, the shoes of the two gentlemen are squeaky clean. It is very suspicious.
Paper Explosion
A paper explosion has occurred here and people seem to be just standing around. Some are picking up the trash as they see fit while others are just shocked by the incident.
Fire At The Cross
Something tragic must have happened here to cause the people to gather around the burning cross in this fashion. The people seem to be in some kind of a protest.
Art In The Window
We know that there is a woman sitting in the window but the way that her shadow falls against the light, it looks like a piece of artwork.
The Wealth Gap
You can clearly see how there is a clear gap between the rich and the poor here. While the rich woman is just enjoying her drink, the poor have to work hard and earn their daily food.
Cheating On An Exam
These cadets are too busy with their examination, except for one who is trying to look at the answers the others have put for their questions.
Family Time
It is truly beautiful to spend quality time with the family. If you are someone who is always busy with work, you should try and find some time for your family too.
Selling Chillies
While it may seem like a normal vegetable seller who is selling chillies and other veggies, the shot being in black and white adds so much character to the picture that it makes it look extra special.
Having A Bad Night
This girl seems to be having quite a rough night since the bar is almost empty and she is still sitting on a chair alone. The two gentlemen in the background seem to be engaged in some sort of argument.
Weird Wedding Picture
This is a very weird wedding picture. We don’t understand what goes on in the minds of the Russians because we can’t understand why the groom had to be naked.
Muse
This girl seems to be the muse of many people since there are multiple men who are quite interested in getting a picture of her. She seems like a nice woman from what we can see.
Guarding The Secret
This man is surely standing guard to some secret that he is not allowed to show anyone. There are various controls on the panel that just makes it look even more secretive.
Moms Will Be Moms
Every mom in the world is always worried about her children; if they have eaten all of their food or not and whether they are sleeping at a decent time. This mother is no different and just wants her soldier son to be eating his food.
Setting Up Shop
Even at such an old age, this woman is setting up her shop on her own. It is quite amazing to see her resilience and her dedication to her work.
High Spots
These men seem to be working hard trying to clear the debris from under the stairs. They are required to wear the masks because of the fine debris that arises from the work.
Karens Of Russia
The woman in the front of the picture clearly looks like a Karen. She even has that haughtiness about her which gives her an air of ego.
Generation Gap
While the gentleman on the left carries a certain amount of wisdom, the two men on the right look young and free and the complete opposite of the man next to them.
Giving The Boot
This man is helping out the community in the way that he can. He is donating a boot to the woman in her time of need.
Inflated
There is something comical about this picture. The man has a belly that is inflated like the balloon in the picture. We are sure that is why this picture was taken.
Contrasts Of Life
While the child in the window is just whiling away his life with happiness and joy, the man in the picture is hard at work trying to get his bags through the snow.
Happy And Jealous
Look carefully at the women behind the brides. While some of them are happy seeing the brides, others are looking at them with a hint of jealousy in their eyes.
Light And Dark
There is light and darkness in everyone’s life. We cannot judge a person by simply looking at them until we understand the battles that are going on within them.
Love Is Boundless
When you love someone, you do not care what they look like. In this instance, this woman loved her pig so much that she kissed it on the face.
My Turn
Children around the world have different games that they like to play with one another. These children are the same and are happy in their own world.
Too Much Film
Many people around the world work with cameras and editing pictures and videos. This man is one of them and he is just surrounded by the films that he still has to work on.
Cast Of Wicked
This is a weird costume to wear for everyday life. The weirdest part of the costume is the pointed hat which makes him look like a magician.
Reading The Instructions
It would be interesting if the woman is actually holding instructions to repair her poor umbrella. It seems to have broken and given into the weather of Russia.
Doing The Flip
These women seem mesmerized with the hot guy doing flips outside the office building. They have left their work unattended to go outside and watch him.
Gossip
This girl seems to have some interesting gossip for everyone on the table since they are all listening in with a lot of interest.
Miraculous Wind
The best thing about mini-skirts is that when a strong gust of wind comes by, you are able to get a very good view. Such a thing happened in this picture.
Coming For You
This woman appears to be hiding out in the tent with all the food and enjoying herself with a little snack while the army marches outside.
Fireman Dance
These firemen are quite happy with their work. They appear to be celebrating the downplay of a fire with their efforts.
Envy On The Face
You can clearly see the look of envy on the face of the woman in the background. She appears to be looking at the bodies of the younger models and raging inside with jealousy.
No Rest From Work
Even though this woman is laying on the beach, she has her laptop with her because she does not want to miss out on any of her work. This is the dedication that we should all have when it comes to work.
Beauty Undefined
There are a lot of beautiful women in this picture and we can only wonder what they are all doing.
Try On Everything
This woman wants to try on all the latest trends and is not afraid to be seen changing out in public.
Tired Cheerleaders
When the match started, the cheerleaders decided that they were very tired and every single one of them decided to take a short break before they got back to cheering on the boys again.
Selling The Balloons
When there is a crowd, the best thing to do is sell balloons. This man is not at all afraid of the security who seem to be surrounding him for some reason.
Around The Corner
There is a giant shift around the corner. The woman on one side is quite old and seems to be waiting for someone while the two women on the other side are young and seem to be quite busy reading their books.
Parents PDA
These two parents are engaged in a public display of affection while their little daughter is just watching them kiss uncomfortably. We feel sad for the little girl.
From The Right Angles
These women are intent on finding just the right angle from which they are to take the picture. They do not care if they scrape their knees or anything. They just want the perfect shot.
Carrying Death Metal Fans
These people are all here for a death metal concert and two of them got so excited that one of them got on top of the other in order to get the attention of everyone around.
One After The Other
These brides are going somewhere and some of them do not seem to know where they are going. They are just following the leader. Or perhaps, it is just for the picture?
Nose Mask?
Either this man needs to wear a nose mask or he has a broken nose and he is just waiting for the plaster to set in with the support of the nose mask.
Wading Through Water
While the bride is too careful about stepping in the water, the child is just wading through the water without any care that he will get dirty or wet.
Dead Meat
When you are buying meat, you need to make sure that you are buying the right thing because even the slightest strange taste could lead to food poisoning.
Carrying Art
The human body is a work of art too and this man is not ashamed of displaying the art that he has been given.
Right In The Hole
This man is quite the marksman since he was able to toss the trash right into the bin without even getting up from his spot. It is a miracle he was able to do it with the amount of alcohol he has had.
Marching On
These people seem to be quite angry and their march seems to be in protest of something. Given that it is Russia, we are not quite sure that people protesting is such a good idea.
After A Big Party
These people are not homeless and yet the way that they are behaving is quite unlike people coming from a good home. Sadly, this is a normal picture after a big party.
Sith Lady
The lady in the poster looks like the next villain from the Star Wars franchise. All the villains have wrinkled faces because of the darkness that flows through them.
Sleeping Publicly
The people seem to be surprised of the fact that there is a man sleeping in the public transit station. It seems the Russians are not used to having people sleeping in the stations.
Jumping In Joy
These bridesmaids seem quite happy with the fact that one of their friends just got married. They seem to be jumping up and down for joy.
Away From The Tear Gas
Most protests are dispersed with the help of tear gas and it seems like the same thing is happening here too. The men and women seem to be running away from the gas.
Selling Them All
This man is selling all the trash that he has collected. Or perhaps he is just collecting more trash by inviting people to fill his cart.
Break A Leg
This is an active dance floor. People of all ages are out there dancing and you can see the enthusiasm on their faces.
Lookalike People
You can see three generations in the same picture. You will immediately know that they are of the same family because of the similarities in their faces.
Old-Timey Cars
These old-timey cars are a classic from the Cold War era of the Soviet Union. The boxy shape of the cars was quite popular back then.
Women’s Group
With one look at these women, you would know that they have been friends forever. The way that they are judging the photographer for taking their picture shows that they are all thinking the same thing as well.
Kneeling In Prayer
All over Europe, there are thousands of muslims who are looking for a home to start their new lives and every day, for five times, they kneel down in prayer.
Singing Together
These people seem to be singing something together. Perhaps it is a hymn and they could all be outside a church singing in unison.
Many Many Layers
Looking at this woman, you would realize how cold it is in Russia. She is wearing so many layers that it makes you feel hot at home. Also, just take a look around and see how desolate the city seems too.
Dropped Something
These two young women seem to have dropped something. That is why they are down on all fours looking around.
Moving Houses
This guy seems to be moving into a new house. He is carrying the packaging material and there are tools on his belt too.
Caught The Bouquet
When the bride throws the bouquet, it is usually one of the bridesmaids who gets to catch it. However, this time, one of the guys caught it and he seems to be quite happy about it.
Walking Past Him
All these officers are walking past the man in a wheelchair and yet not one of them seems to care about the state of the man.
Russian Classes
This picture has three of the Russian classes in one picture. One of them is a group of ballerinas, the other one is what looks like a spy and the last one is a hard-working man who is busy with the hustle.
While They Cut The Cake
This couple does not seem to care that the bride and the groom are cutting the cake. They are too busy with their own thing and they are engaged in something that should be behind closed doors.
Back Alley Brawl
These soldiers might have gotten into a serious argument since they decided to take it outside in the alley. The other comrades are just standing around watching the fight unfold.
Morning Motivation
This manager seems to be giving the best motivation speech to his staff. They are holding on to his every word and it is something that every manager should do.
Focus On Hairstyle
The hairstyles in the picture are quite reminiscent of the hairstyle of the band members from the Beatles. It is amazing to see how their popularity affected normal people.
Kettlebell Fight
When you are fighting with someone, having a weapon can seriously give you an advantage. However, you should not get a kettlebell since it can do some serious damage.
Everyone In Love
Everyone in this picture seems to be having a great time. They seem to be so much in love that they are practically dancing.
Not Pregnant
At first glance it may look like this man is pregnant but that is not the case. He is just tired from losing all of his money on poker.
Mental Hospital
This was a picture taken by Alexander in a mental hospital. It shows us what is on the other side of the door and it is one of the most moving pictures on the list.
