Graduation photos are a usually a happy reminder of one of life's biggest milestones. For a group of students in Ukraine's war-torn city of Chernihiv, their nontraditional graduation photos, with the city's destruction as a backdrop, serve as a record of lives interrupted by military conflict. RFE/RL spoke with Ukrainian photographer Stanislav Senyk about the striking images he captured.
Graduation Amid Devastation: A Photographer's Striking Images Of Students From War-Torn Chernihiv
- By RFE/RL
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Chernihiv students pose for a high-school graduation photo on June 5 for Ukrainian photographer Stanislav Senyk, who spoke with RFE/RL about his project.
Graduation Album On The Ruins is a series of photos of students, many in their sashes, captured in a city devastated by Russia's invasion. "In 10 years, these students will have their own children, and they will be able to show them what the Russians did and, perhaps, they will feel the pain that their parents experienced."
Graduation Album On The Ruins is a series of photos of students, many in their sashes, captured in a city devastated by Russia's invasion. "In 10 years, these students will have their own children, and they will be able to show them what the Russians did and, perhaps, they will feel the pain that their parents experienced."
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Senyk, a wedding and portrait photographer by trade, shifted his focus when Russia invaded Ukraine. "I wanted to work on projects that would help my country." He hopes that his photographs will raise funds for the Ukrainian Army through online auctions and also remind the world of what the country is going through.
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Using social media, Senyk was able to locate 40 members of Chernihiv's graduating classes who agreed to participate in the portrait sessions. The images were captured over two days as they explored the ruins of their city. Many students were overcome with emotion because they hadn't seen their classmates since the war started.
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Senyk adds that he was surprised by how happy the students were to participate. "The children did not look upset and were not broken," he said. "On the contrary, it seemed that the war had hardened them and now they are stronger."
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"I want my work to capture this history, their history," Senyk said. Chernihiv suffered extensive destruction as Russian troops shelled the city, laying waste to thousands of buildings, including schools.
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"By giving them these photos, it helps them heal." Senyk was especially touched by one mother who became emotional after receiving the photos, saying, "I cannot describe the emotion I felt after she thanked me."
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"I realized that I was doing something that would help people a lot and, once again, I was convinced that photography can do unique things with people's emotions," Senyk said.
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Senyk adds that the project has also been emotional for him. "Knowing that these students have undergone so much personal and physical loss -- they are the heroes."
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Senyk is currently looking for sponsors to exhibit his work internationally.
You can follow his work on his Instagram: @senykstas
You can follow his work on his Instagram: @senykstas
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