Dolly Faibyshev

Dolly Faibyshev takes the time to speak with us about dog shows, unguarded moments, and smiling until your face hurts.

Where are you from and where do you currently reside?

I was born in Philly and am currently living in NYC.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

There are so many, but Martin Parr, Joel Sternfeld, Jessica Craig-Martin, Van Gogh, Duane Hanson, Stanley Kubrick, David Lynch, and Thomas Demand (probably my favorite photographer) are some visual artists that have inspired me most.

Your series Best in Show gives viewers an inside look at dog shows. Were you very familiar with dog show culture before you began the project? What fascinates you the most about that world?

I wasn’t too familiar with that world except for watching the televised dog shows and the Christopher Guest movie. I wanted to see for myself if it was as ridiculous behind the scenes as I imagined it to be, and it totally is. People take this stuff very seriously, and there’s something irresistibly humorous and fun about it. My face hurts from smiling every time.

Was photographing dogs a very different process than photographing people?

I don’t really photograph portraits, so in a way it’s different because I enjoy the moments of interaction more than taking pictures of just people.

People take this stuff very seriously, and there’s something irresistibly humorous and fun about it.

Dolly Faibyshev

Did you have more or less control of these portraits because of the subject matter?

Definitely less control, there’s so much going on and the dogs don’t sit still. It’s also distracting because it’s hard not to stop and pet all of these breeds looking their absolute best and cutest. When the handler allows it, that is.

What is something people would be surprised to discover about you?

I spend a lot of time behind the camera capturing unguarded moments, but I try to avoid being caught in front of the camera.

Post updated August 5, 2024.