Faces of the Playa is a monochrome portrait project created at Burning Man 2025. Its goal is to capture the true essence of the event by photographing participants from around the world in a simple, studio-like setup on the playa.
Through black-and-white portraits, stripped of distraction, the project highlights the individuality, humanity, and diversity of Burners today. Some portraits are paired with a short personal reflection, with participants answering questions about what brought them to Burning Man, what the community gives them, and what the event means in 2025.
This work is designed to challenge misconceptions that Burning Man is only about drugs and sex, instead presenting it as a vibrant cultural gathering defined by radical self-expression, creativity, and global community.
The resulting series will serve as a living record of Burning Man at this moment in time both a visual archive and an artistic exploration of why this event remains so powerful, and who the people are that keep it alive.
“I’ve enjoyed being here with my mom and my husband… watching the sunrise drinking coffee” Nicole Teagul, US
“What do you like about Burning Man? Everything!” Diego Vegas, France
Diego Vegas, France
Mikhail Shiryaev, Turkey
“Tomorrow was better” Sassy Danger, US
Sassy Danger, US
“Today I’m going to get drunk again, right?!!” Isidoro Monteiro, France
“What does the burning man community give you that you can’t find elsewhere? Freedom” Susan, US
Valentin, Russia
“What’s your favorite expirience at Burning Man 2025? The sunrise at BiPolar Express” Max L, US
Anastasia Talan, US
Anastasia Talan, US
“ “Every year this is my new year. My fresh start, the feel, the place, the people ♡” Melissa Taylor, US
Moshen Ashraf, UK
Richard Irwin, US
Dalton, US
“What is Burning Man really about? Supporting our temporary community, to help everyone in the default world” Chelsea Scozz, Canada
Svitlana Zubatiy & Vladimir Shpilberg, US
“Kindness Counts” Alex Snider, US
Ivan Bajinov, US
Diliara Malikova, US
Anna Shiryaev, Turkey
Vlada Melnikova, US
Hasan, US
Vlada Melnikova and Dmitry Zaitsev, US
Sergei Che, US
Diliara Malikova, US
“What’s your favorite expirience at Burning Man 2025? Rain & Light” Larissa Bruter, US
Larissa Bruter, US
“What is Burning Man really about today? Lost its way in the crowd” Gregory Elkinbard, US
“What is Burning Man really about today? Curiosity” Igor leonov, US
“What is Burning Man really about? Belonging” Vladimir Shpilberg, US
Anna and Mikhail Shiryaev, Turkey
Svitlana Zubatiy & Vladimir Shpilberg, US
Svitlana Zubatiy, US
