Toulinov was born between two rivers in Tuapse, Russia, a seaport on the Black Sea. From a young age, he was sculpting, painting and drawing. He graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in law, which he practiced until he immigrated to the United States in 1991 and later became a United States citizen. Although he was unable to practice law here, he did continue his work as a fitness trainer, not realizing then that he was training his eye for the photographic work he would make in the future with people from all walks of life.

 

He first picked up a camera in 1993, but it wasn’t until 1999 that photography became his passion, and his work took a serious bent. He began working exclusively in the studio, using a black backdrop to create a small theater for the objects and people that would portray. His work has always been heavily influenced by classical literature. So, it was natural for him to create stories with his images, stories that evolved over the years to express emotions and experiences common to all.

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His work is in the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Museum, as well as in many private collections. He has been exhibited in galleries throughout America, Canada and Europe, including some of the most prestigious galleries in New York, Los Angeles, and Monte Carlo.

 

His book, Pierrot In The Studio, was published in December 2025 and is in the New York Library’s permanent collection.

 

He shoots only black and white film with a Hasselblad camera designed in 1948 and prints the images himself in a refined silver gelatin format.