Rafig Aliyev was born in Baku.

He studied at the Azerbaijan State Institute of Physical Education (1972-1976), at the advanced training courses of the State Cinematography Committee in Moscow (1978), at the Cinematography Department of the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography (1980-1985, Alexander Galperin's course).

He worked as a cameraman at the "Azerbaijanfilm" film studio (1976-1994), chief cameraman at ANS TV (2002-2006), chief cameraman and director at the "Bakufilm" film studio (2006-2009), and cameraman at the ARB Aran Film Creative Center (2017-2020).