Meet Konstantin Karpeev | Director of Photography & Founder of Marty Rush LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Konstantin Karpeev and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Konstantin, what do you attribute your success to?
Honestly, it’s never just one thing. Success in this industry always comes from a mix of factors — and they all play their part.

The first is technical skill — that sense of confidence that only comes with experience. The ability to deliver high-end visuals under pressure, to adapt quickly when something goes off plan, and to find the most effective solution without losing momentum on set. I’ve learned to trust that skill set after years of working on fast-paced productions with demanding timelines.

One example that stands out is my work with Priyanka Chopra during the Max Factor brand launch in India. The team at Fashion2Max — an agency I’ve collaborated with on many high-profile celebrity campaigns — flew me in specifically to make sure Priyanka looked flawless throughout a packed schedule of press events and interviews. It was a non-stop environment, and I was responsible for capturing consistently strong visuals across every activation. In a situation like that, there’s no room for hesitation — and no second takes.

The second factor, equally important, is communication. Especially in fashion and celebrity shoots, being technically skilled isn’t enough. You have to know how to read the room, how to create a calm, positive atmosphere, and how to keep everyone — from the talent to the client to the crew — feeling like they’re in good hands.

That’s been one of the key reasons behind my ongoing collaborations with photographer Nino Muñoz and the production agency OneTen Media. Together we’ve worked on campaigns for Jessica Alba (Remix Magazine), Jessica Biel (Marie Claire UK), Zoe Saldana (Marie Claire UK), Christina Ricci (Harper’s Bazaar), and many others. Every one of those sets demands not just clarity and direction, but also the ability to create a vibe that feels peaceful, collaborative, and efficient — even when we’re working under tight deadlines.

The third factor is adaptability. As technology evolves, the way we create video content has to evolve too. It’s easy to get stuck in a certain workflow or mindset, but I believe staying curious and open to new tools is essential — whether that’s camera tech, new lighting solutions, or the use of AI in post-production.

A good example of this is the recent shoot we did with OneTen Media for Vogue Czechoslovakia featuring the iconic Milla Jovovich. At the beginning of the video, we added a stylized shot flying into a retro TV screen — and that entire TV was generated with AI. It gave the video a unique, engaging opening that wouldn’t have been possible just a few years ago. For me, AI isn’t a threat — it’s a tool, just like any other. And when used with taste and purpose, it can expand what’s creatively possible.

In the end, I think that blend — technical trust, clear communication, and creative adaptability — is what drives both my personal success and the reputation of my company, Marty Rush LLC.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In my creative work, I’m drawn to minimalism. I’ve always followed the idea that “less is more.” Especially today — when so much content is overloaded with transitions, visual effects, and trends that fade as fast as they appear — I find more meaning in clarity and restraint.

That’s why I lean toward a more classic style, but with an obsessive attention to detail in every single frame. It’s often more difficult to hold a viewer’s attention with a clean, quiet shot than with fast-paced visual tricks — but that’s exactly where the beauty lies. It forces you to focus, to feel, to notice the things that matter instead of being distracted by noise.

One of the most defining moments in my career was moving to the U.S. and getting my O-1 visa as an artist of extraordinary ability. That process required me to look back at everything I’d built — to gather projects for global publications like GQ, Vogue, Esquire, etc — and realize just how much ground I’d already covered. And still, I know the biggest projects are ahead of me.

Relocating to a new country is never easy, especially in a creative industry where trust and relationships are everything. You have to reintroduce yourself, rebuild your network, and prove your value all over again. But I’m proud of how it went. And I’m incredibly grateful to the people who believed in me early on and gave me the chance to keep doing what I love.

When, within your first year in a new country, you’re shooting projects with Zoe Saldana and Miranda Kerr — that gives you confidence. It reminds you that you’re on the right path.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a close friend was visiting LA for a week, I’d want to give them a mix of visual inspiration, good food, and that effortless California vibe.

We’d definitely start with a hike in Griffith Park — early morning, while the city’s still quiet, with a view over the skyline and a coffee afterward at Maru in Los Feliz. One of my favorite places to reset.

Then we’d hit some classics — like a stroll through Abbot Kinney or the Arts District, where there’s always something visually inspiring, whether it’s design stores, murals, or just how the light hits the buildings. I love taking people to Gjusta or Great White for lunch — simple, delicious, with that Venice energy.

At night, maybe a show at the Hollywood Bowl or an outdoor movie screening at AMC. We’d also spend time just hanging out at home — cooking, playing records, catching the sunset on the rooftop. Sometimes that’s the best part.

And of course — a beach day in Malibu. You can’t come to LA and not feel that ocean air. El Matador if we want the drama, or somewhere quieter for just being still.

Most of the time, my “tour” of LA isn’t about landmarks — it’s about the vibe, the pacing, the light, and the kind of conversations you have when the city slows down a little. That’s the real LA to me.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people behind the scenes who shaped my journey, but I’d especially like to shout out the team at OneTen Media. Their trust and consistency over the years have played a huge role in my growth. We’ve worked together on numerous high-profile editorial and celebrity campaigns, and their belief in my creative direction has always pushed me to bring my best.

I’m also incredibly grateful to photographer Nino Muñoz. Our collaborations have been some of the most creatively fulfilling projects of my career — grounded in mutual trust, shared vision, and a deep understanding of what it takes to capture something honest and powerful.

Another big part of my journey is Fashion2Max. We’ve teamed up on celebrity-driven content for brands like Bvlgari, Tommy Hilfiger, and many others. Their ability to build trust with top-tier talent — and bring me in to help shape that vision — has been a huge honor and a major catalyst in my international career.

Of course, none of this would be sustainable without the support of my wife — her patience and presence through every unpredictable schedule means everything.

And lastly, to every producer, stylist, and crew member I’ve worked with along the way — thank you. This work is deeply collaborative, and I’m lucky to have built it with people who care just as much as I do.

Website: https://martyrush.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marty_rush/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marty-rush/

Image Credits
(C) Lucy Andrews