Doors are portals. What once seemed ordinary can become unexpectedly captivating — especially when viewed through the lens of Almaty photographer Alen Shayakhmetov.
From unique craftsmanship to modern uniformity
Today, most doors appear standardized and indistinguishable. In the past, however, no two were alike.
Shayakhmetov’s collection highlights that lost individuality, capturing doors that once reflected the character of the buildings — and the people — behind them.
A diverse collection of entrances
The series features doors from a wide range of locations, including residential buildings, concert halls — including an opera house — a museum, a shoe repair shop (easily recognized by its depiction of a master shoemaker), and a restaurant.
Each image offers a glimpse into a different corner of the city’s architectural and cultural history.
Details that tell a story
Wooden, plastic and iron doors appear throughout the collection, many painted or adorned with carved elements, stucco or heavy locking beams. Together, they showcase the remarkable variety that once defined the streets of Kazakhstan’s southern capital.
An invitation to look closer
These distinctive doors invite a second look — not just at the entrances themselves, but at the buildings they belong to.
After all, when a door is this intriguing, it makes you wonder what lies beyond it.
