The Kazakh People

In the far western reaches of Mongolia, where the Altai mountains meet the borders of Russia and China, the Kazakh people have lived by the same rhythms for centuries. They move with their herds across high steppe and frozen valley, read weather in the colour of a cloud, and measure time by the migration of animals rather than the turning of a calendar. This is not survival. It is mastery.

Their traditions — horsemanship, eagle hunting, the songs that hold a people's memory — are not preserved behind glass. They are practised, inherited, and carried forward in the hands of the living. Jimmy Nelson spent time among them not to document a disappearing world, but to sit with one that is entirely, stubbornly present.

All of the images below are available in four sizes. Get in touch for more details.


  • Jimmy Nelson, Bakbergen, Samil & Kamilla, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Bakbergen, Samil & Kamilla, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 79.0 x 67.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#4/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Erchebulat, Kazakh | Sagsai, Bayan-Ӧlgii province | Mongolia, 2017
    Jimmy Nelson
    Erchebulat, Kazakh | Sagsai, Bayan-Ӧlgii province | Mongolia, 2017
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 67 x 79 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#1/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Ergalim, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Ergalim, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 127.0 x 107.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 6 (#3/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Ergalim, Nurkairath & Ris, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Ergalim, Nurkairath & Ris, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 107.0 x 187.0 cm - SOLD OUT
    Edition of 6 plus 1 AP (#6/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Esker, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Jimmy Nelson
    Esker, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 79.0 x 67.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#5/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Idrish, Khairatkhan, Nurkairath & Baskakhkhan, Kazakh | Ulaankhus, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Idrish, Khairatkhan, Nurkairath & Baskakhkhan, Kazakh | Ulaankhus, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 107.0 x 187.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 6 (#5/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Jaimurat, Jeken & Jantemer, Kazakh | Khavtsaliin Am, Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2018
    Jimmy Nelson
    Jaimurat, Jeken & Jantemer, Kazakh | Khavtsaliin Am, Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2018
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 107.0 x 187.0 cm - incl. frame
    (#1/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Janerk Haizim, Kazakh | Sagsai, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Jimmy Nelson
    Janerk Haizim, Kazakh | Sagsai, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 127.0 x 107.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 6 (#3/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Juldis, Kazakh | Sagsai, Bayan-Ӧlgii province | Mongolia, 2018
    Jimmy Nelson
    Juldis, Kazakh | Sagsai, Bayan-Ӧlgii province | Mongolia, 2018
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 79.0 x 67.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#1/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh on ice | Altantsogts, Bayan Ölgii | Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh on ice | Altantsogts, Bayan Ölgii | Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 127.0 x 107.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 6 (#4/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Altai sum, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Altai sum, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 67.0 x 115.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#4/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Altai village | Altai mountains | Mongolia, 2019
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Altai village | Altai mountains | Mongolia, 2019
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 107,0 x 147,0 - incl. frame
    Edition of 6 (#1/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Altantsögts County, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Altantsögts County, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 67,5 x 91,5 cm - incl frame
    Edition of 9 (#8/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Altantsogts, Bayan Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Altantsogts, Bayan Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 147.0 x 267.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 3 (#1/3)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Altantsogts, Bayan Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Altantsogts, Bayan Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 107.0 x 147.0 cm - incl frame
    Edition of 6 (#2/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 79.0 x 67.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#9/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 107.0 x 147.0 cm - incl frame
    Edition of 6 (#3/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 147.0 x 207.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 3 (#3/3)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 107.0 x 127.0 cm - incl. Frame
    Edition of 6 (#4/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Khavtsalijn Am Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2018
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Khavtsalijn Am Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2018
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 67.0 x 115.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#5/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Khoyor Tolgoi Hill, Altantsögts County, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Khoyor Tolgoi Hill, Altantsögts County, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 67.0 x 115.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#5/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Ulaankhus, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Ulaankhus, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 67,5 x 91,5 cm - incl frame
    Edition of 9 (#1/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Khan La Khan, Kazakh | Ulaankhus, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Khan La Khan, Kazakh | Ulaankhus, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 127.0 x 107.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 6 (#1/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Meruert, Kazakh | Sagsai, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Jimmy Nelson
    Meruert, Kazakh | Sagsai, Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 79.0 x 67.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#5/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Nurkairath & Ergalim, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Nurkairath & Ergalim, Kazakh | Altantsögts, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 79.0 x 67.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#7/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Tolkhin, Kazakh | Ulaankhus, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Tolkhin, Kazakh | Ulaankhus, Bayan-Ölgii Province | Western Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 79.0 x 67.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#6/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Xardembek, Xasn, Sani & Kemi, Kazakh | Songinst | Mongolia, 2011
    Jimmy Nelson
    Xardembek, Xasn, Sani & Kemi, Kazakh | Songinst | Mongolia, 2011
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 67.0 x 115.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#8/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Altantsogts, Bayan Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Altantsogts, Bayan Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 107.0 x 187.0 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 6 (#2/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Altantsogts, Bayan Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Altantsogts, Bayan Ölgii | Mongolia, 2017
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 67,5 x 91,5 cm - incl frame
    Edition of 9 (#1/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Erjan, Kazakh | Altai Mountains | Mongolia, 2020
    Jimmy Nelson
    Erjan, Kazakh | Altai Mountains | Mongolia, 2020
    Analogue Edition of 19
    Size: 79,2 x 66,7 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#1/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Kazakh | Altai village | Altai mountains | Mongolia, 2019
    Jimmy Nelson
    Kazakh | Altai village | Altai mountains | Mongolia, 2019
    Edition of 19 - White Border
    Size: 107,0 x 147,0 - incl. frame
    Edition of 6 (#2/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Dalaikhan & Erjan, Kazakh | Altai Mountains | Mongolia, 2020
    Jimmy Nelson
    Dalaikhan & Erjan, Kazakh | Altai Mountains | Mongolia, 2020
    Analogue Edition of 19
    Size: 127,2 x 153,1 - incl. frame
    Edition of 6 (#1/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Dalaikhan, Kazakh | Altai Mountains | Mongolia, 2020
    Jimmy Nelson
    Dalaikhan, Kazakh | Altai Mountains | Mongolia, 2020
    Analogue Edition of 19
    Size: 127,2 x 105,7 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 6 (#1/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Aiyajarga, Kazakh | Altai Mountains, Bayan Ulgii | Mongolia, 2020
    Jimmy Nelson
    Aiyajarga, Kazakh | Altai Mountains, Bayan Ulgii | Mongolia, 2020
    Analogue Edition of 19
    Size: 79,2 x 66,7 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 9 (#1/9)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio
  • Jimmy Nelson, Narkulan, Kazakh | Altai Mountains | Bayan Ulgii | Mongolia , 2020
    Jimmy Nelson
    Narkulan, Kazakh | Altai Mountains | Bayan Ulgii | Mongolia , 2020
    Analogue Edition of 19
    Size: 127,2 x 106,5 cm - incl. frame
    Edition of 6 (#1/6)
    Courtesy of the Jimmy Nelson Studio