<strong>Bodi tribe man -- Hana Mursi, Ethiopia</strong>: Russian-born photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fxperimenter" target="_blank" target="_blank">Alexander Khimushin</a> has been traveling the world for the last nine years, taking portraits of people he meets along the way.
Bodi tribe man -- Hana Mursi, Ethiopia: Russian-born photographer Alexander Khimushin has been traveling the world for the last nine years, taking portraits of people he meets along the way.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Meitei man -- Moirang, Manipur state, northeast India:</strong> The photographs form the basis of Khimushin's project "<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkhimushin.com%2Fthe-world-in-faces%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">The World in Faces</a>," which documents people and cultures from around the globe.
Meitei man -- Moirang, Manipur state, northeast India: The photographs form the basis of Khimushin's project "The World in Faces," which documents people and cultures from around the globe.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Hamar tribe woman -- Turmi, Ethiopia</strong>: The photographer hopes his pictures can convey a common humanity. "People living on the other side of the world are just the same humans as people living next door," he tells CNN Travel.
Hamar tribe woman -- Turmi, Ethiopia: The photographer hopes his pictures can convey a common humanity. "People living on the other side of the world are just the same humans as people living next door," he tells CNN Travel.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Afar woman -- Afar region, northeast Ethiopia:</strong> Khimushin shares his images across social media -- the project has become a sweeping success.
Afar woman -- Afar region, northeast Ethiopia: Khimushin shares his images across social media -- the project has become a sweeping success.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Mam Maya man -- Todos Santos Cuchumatan, Guatemala:</strong> The Australia-based photographer says the project is an immersive experience. "From the very beginning it was a desire [...] to learn about this world from within, plunging into the surrounding reality, as if trying on the lives of people in other countries," he says.
Mam Maya man -- Todos Santos Cuchumatan, Guatemala: The Australia-based photographer says the project is an immersive experience. "From the very beginning it was a desire [...] to learn about this world from within, plunging into the surrounding reality, as if trying on the lives of people in other countries," he says.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Sahrawi man -- Dakhla, Western Sahara:</strong> The photographer was born in a remote location himself -- Yakutia in Siberian Russia, one of the coldest places on Earth.
Sahrawi man -- Dakhla, Western Sahara: The photographer was born in a remote location himself -- Yakutia in Siberian Russia, one of the coldest places on Earth.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Ladakhi woman -- Lamayuru, Ladakh, </strong><strong>India</strong>: Now, Khimushin enjoys traveling to other remote corners of the globe. "Local people are always genuinely welcoming in these places," he says.
Ladakhi woman -- Lamayuru, Ladakh, India: Now, Khimushin enjoys traveling to other remote corners of the globe. "Local people are always genuinely welcoming in these places," he says.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Daasanech tribe woman -- Omorate, Ethiopia:</strong> Khimushin finds his subjects are usually keen to be involved: "They're happy to meet a stranger, invite me into their house, [they are] interested in who I am and where I came from."
Daasanech tribe woman -- Omorate, Ethiopia: Khimushin finds his subjects are usually keen to be involved: "They're happy to meet a stranger, invite me into their house, [they are] interested in who I am and where I came from."
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Djibouti girl -- Djibouti</strong><strong>:</strong> "Despite all the political, religious, cultural and racial differences, ordinary people I met on the way were universally kind and hospitable, always ready to help in a difficult moment," says Khimushin.
Djibouti girl -- Djibouti: "Despite all the political, religious, cultural and racial differences, ordinary people I met on the way were universally kind and hospitable, always ready to help in a difficult moment," says Khimushin.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Wakhi woman -- Sast, Wakhan Corridor, Afghanistan:</strong> Khimushin's work aims to highlight cultures not always featured in the public eye. "Indigenous peoples are proud of their culture, which is often not well known or neglected," Khimushin says.
Wakhi woman -- Sast, Wakhan Corridor, Afghanistan: Khimushin's work aims to highlight cultures not always featured in the public eye. "Indigenous peoples are proud of their culture, which is often not well known or neglected," Khimushin says.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Karo tribe woman -- Korcho, Ethiopia: </strong>Showcasing people from minority groups has another purpose, too.<strong> </strong>"In many cases these indigenous minority groups are, unfortunately, for a number of reasons, on the verge of extinction," says Khimushin.
Karo tribe woman -- Korcho, Ethiopia: Showcasing people from minority groups has another purpose, too. "In many cases these indigenous minority groups are, unfortunately, for a number of reasons, on the verge of extinction," says Khimushin.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Rajasthani man -- Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India: </strong>"The World in Faces" has become a full-time job for Khimushin. He hopes to produce a book or exhibit his work.
Rajasthani man -- Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India: "The World in Faces" has become a full-time job for Khimushin. He hopes to produce a book or exhibit his work.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Uzbek man -- Bukhara, Uzbekistan: "</strong>My main exhibition goal [...] is to hold an exhibition at the UN headquarters in New York," he says.
Uzbek man -- Bukhara, Uzbekistan: "My main exhibition goal [...] is to hold an exhibition at the UN headquarters in New York," he says.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Kaqchikel Maya girl -- Solola, Guatemala: </strong>Initially Khimushin's photography process was more spontaneous. Now he tends to have a plan when he visits each location.
Kaqchikel Maya girl -- Solola, Guatemala: Initially Khimushin's photography process was more spontaneous. Now he tends to have a plan when he visits each location.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Xhosa woman -- Mgxotyeni, South Africa:</strong> "Today I'm not just traveling, but purposefully going to a particular region of the world, where I'm often expected," Khimushin explains.
Xhosa woman -- Mgxotyeni, South Africa: "Today I'm not just traveling, but purposefully going to a particular region of the world, where I'm often expected," Khimushin explains.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Nyangatom tribe woman -- Kangaten, Ethiopia:</strong> Khimushin's project has a strong social message -- he wants his images to promote diversity and equality.
Nyangatom tribe woman -- Kangaten, Ethiopia: Khimushin's project has a strong social message -- he wants his images to promote diversity and equality.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Mursi tribe girl -- Mago area, Omo, Ethiopia:</strong> "Instead of fighting and hating each other for any reason, we should admire our diversity, respect people, regardless of ethnicity, religion or culture," says Khimushin.
Mursi tribe girl -- Mago area, Omo, Ethiopia: "Instead of fighting and hating each other for any reason, we should admire our diversity, respect people, regardless of ethnicity, religion or culture," says Khimushin.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
<strong>Ixil Maya girl -- Nebaj, Ixil Triangle, Guatemala:</strong> "We must learn to live in peace and harmony because there is no other way for humanity," says Khimushin.
Ixil Maya girl -- Nebaj, Ixil Triangle, Guatemala: "We must learn to live in peace and harmony because there is no other way for humanity," says Khimushin.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin/ The World In Faces
'The World in Faces': Portraits of people across the world
CNN  — 

“People living on the other side of the world are just the same humans as people living next door,” says photographer Alexander Khimushin.

The Russian-born traveler has been on the road for the last nine years, visiting the far corners of the world on a quest to photograph the people he meets along the way.

Khimushin’s “The World in Faces” project, which he shares on his website and social media, celebrates the beauty, diversity and common humanity of people across the globe.

“From the very beginning it was a desire not so much to see all the natural and man-made wonders of the world, but to learn about this world from within, plunging into the surrounding reality, as if trying on the lives of people in other countries,” Khimushin told CNN Travel.

On the road

A girl from the Hamar tribe in southwest Ethiopia.
A girl from the Hamar tribe in southwest Ethiopia.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin / The World In Faces

The photographer was born and raised in Yakutia, in Russia’s far east, one of the world’s most remote locations and one of the coldest places on Earth. Later he moved to Australia, but a thirst for adventure and the desire to journey to other secluded spots never left him.

One day, he packed up his belongings to become a full-time explorer – and he’s been traveling the world ever since.

The inspiration for “The World in Faces” came several years into his travels.

Khimushin's photographs, including this one of a Wakhi woman in Afghanistan, capture his subjects' personalities.
Khimushin's photographs, including this one of a Wakhi woman in Afghanistan, capture his subjects' personalities.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin / The World In Faces

“From the first day of travel, my constant companion was a camera,” remembers Khimushin. “Later, digging through my photo archives, I decided to put together a series of photo portraits. When the work was completed, about 200 [photographs] of people from different parts of the world appeared before me.”

Khimushin was struck by the effect of the portraits. The inspiration for his project began to form.

“Glancing at their faces, bright unforgettable moments of our meetings began to emerge,” he said.

“That inner transformation that took place in me, through meetings with these people, evolved into a desire to continue to take photos of people around the world, to acquaint people with the beauty and diversity of people in the remotest corners of our planet.”

MORE: Winners of the 2017 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest

Photographing the world

An Ifugao woman in the Philippines.
An Ifugao woman in the Philippines.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin / The World In Faces

Khimushin’s striking, engaging portraits not only document traditional dress, customs and culture but capture the unique personality of the subject.

Sometimes the person will be on the brink of laughter – other times they appear more solemn, captivating the viewer with their eyes.

Their full backstory remains unknown, but the photographs are steeped in character.

Khimushin says he prefers photographing people in remote locations.

“Local people are always genuinely welcoming in these places,” he says.

“Still untouched by globalization, they’re happy to meet a stranger, invite me into their house…[they are] interested in who I am and where I came from. When I explain the meaning behind my visit, many are willing to help, invite friends and relatives to take a photo.”

The photographer also strives to showcase cultures and ways of life that might be unfamiliar to his audience.

“Indigenous peoples are proud of their culture, which is often not well known or neglected,” he says. “In many cases these indigenous minority groups are, unfortunately, for a number of reasons, on the verge of extinction.”

MORE: Meet the traveler photographing the world – via Google Street View

International success

Khimushin, pictured here in India, has been traveling to the remote corners of the globe for nine years.
Khimushin, pictured here in India, has been traveling to the remote corners of the globe for nine years.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin / The World In Faces

Khimushin’s work, which he shares on Facebook and Instagram, has gained a cult following.

“My story got viral and over the past year has spread all around the world – that would have been simply impossible to imagine in the past,” he says.

“I also receive many e-mails and social media messages from all over the world with words of gratitude for my humble work. This, of course, inspires me to continue the project and I’m not going to give it up.”

He hopes to one day produce a “World in Faces” book, but his ultimate goal is an exhibition, preferably in the UN headquarters in New York.

His most recent travels have taken him to some of the far-flung corners of his native Siberia.

Khimushin's ultimate aim is an exhibition at the UN headquarters in New York City. Pictured here, a Cuban man in Havana.
Khimushin's ultimate aim is an exhibition at the UN headquarters in New York City. Pictured here, a Cuban man in Havana.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin / The World In Faces

“I moved to Australia more than 15 years ago and haven’t been to my homeland for all these years,” reflects Khimushin.

“There are more than 10,000 ethnic groups living on our planet, the whole life is not enough to visit them all, but I will try to do as much as I can.”

MORE: Can tourism and art save the world’s oldest people, the San?

Universal humanity

Khimushin says his photographs, including this one of a Shughnani girl in Khorog, Tajikistan, showcase our common humanity.
Khimushin says his photographs, including this one of a Shughnani girl in Khorog, Tajikistan, showcase our common humanity.
Courtesy Alexander Khimushin / The World In Faces

Khimushin’s project also has a strong social message – the photographer wants his images to showcase our common humanity.

“Contrary to what we constantly hear today about our differences, perhaps the main discovery for me was that despite all the political, religious, cultural and racial differences, ordinary people I met on the way were universally kind and hospitable, always ready to help in a difficult moment,” he says.

“Instead of fighting and hating each other for any reason, we should admire our diversity, respect people, regardless of ethnicity, religion or culture.

“We must learn to live in peace and harmony, because there is no other way for humanity.”