Mary Gelman is a Russian queer photographer, visual storyteller, and producer. She is represented internationally by VII Photo Agency.
After graduating with a degree in sociology, Mary got involved in photography. She often explores themes such as identity, trauma, vulnerability, and resilience, and seeks to challenge stereotypes and prejudices. She also focuses on life and the ideology of alternative communities and different social groups facing discrimination. The most important part of her practice is diving deeper into the topics and interactions with people, where empathy, trust, and understanding are significant.
Gelman has won several different awards, including the Leica Oskar Barnack Award, Pictures of the Year, and Istanbul Photo Awards, amongst others. Her work has been published in TIME, The Washington Post, Le Monde, Die Zeit, The New York Times, and more.
