Photograph by @JohnStanmeyer
Mariam Mindybaeva, the caretaker of Shopan-Ata shrine, located in an underground cave in the steppes of Kazakhstan.
A necropolis and underground mosque, Shopan-Ata is one of the largest and oldest burial and religious complexes in Kazakhstan.
With camera support from @anushbabajanyan, we're publishing the making of this National Geographic story on my #Snapchat account @stanmeyer, sharing short films of the making of this story for Nat Geo.
Also be sure to also follow my IG account @JohnStanmeyer for photos from the steppes of Kazakhstan and beyond.
All my best,
John Stanmeyer
@natgeocreative @thephotosociety @outofedenwalk #kazakhstan #Mangystau #shopanata #portrait #stanmeyeronassignment #picoftheday #photooftheday #followme #onassignment