His original career was as an aerospace engineer, however it is photography that made his name since 1976.
His works have been shown in galleries in his home country as well as United States, Germany and the UK.
[2] His first published work was The Secret City (1988),[2] color photographs taken using Orwachrome film.
His style has been described as observational realism preoccupied with light and form.
Savelev himself credits his 'methodical, scientific background' for the constructivist aesthetic in his photos.