Samodurov was born in Talinn.  He trained at the Vaganova Ballet Academy.  He became a dancer with the Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet in 1992, rising to Principal Dancer in 1998.  Among his many credits are winning the Maya Plisetskaya Competition.  He has been the subject of several television documentaries.  Continuing as Principal Dancer, he has danced in the Dutch National Ballet and has been with the Royal Ballet since 2003.  His many roles are from the classical and modern choreographic repertoire.

In recent years Samodurov has studied and practiced photography.  His subjects have been drawn from his experiences as a performer concerned with the concepts of movement and stillness.  This applies whether pictures of dancers or architectural structures. 

The photographs of Viacheslav Samodurov are an intimate view of the normal working practices of dancers at the Royal Opera House in London.

Using his privileged access as a principal dancer at the ROH and his close relationship with dancer colleagues, he produces work which is innovative in regard to the study of movement.  His use of photography whatever the subject, is always extremely engaging.

Describing his work process, he says: “When I am at my photography, I look through the lens as if I am looking at a stage.  I frame the action and I want to establish a parallel between the two worlds, the one of performance and the one of photographed reality.”