CONCERT OF WARMTH AND LIGHT FOR OLEKSANDRIYA
24TH FEBURARY 2023
A Journey Through Hope: Photography and Charity Unite for Ukraine
On the forbidding day of February 24th, 2022, a full-scale invasion from Russia to Ukraine shook the nation and reverberated worldwide. The terrible event prompted a response from compassionate individuals like Zhenya Shkil, who took it upon themselves to build a charity network and provide much-needed aid. Among those lending a helping hand was the remarkable singer, Nicole Medin, who, along with others, organised events to raise funds for Ukraine's recovery. One such event was a heartfelt concert held on February 24th, 2023, exactly one year after the invasion began. This blog post follows the captivating journey of hope and resilience that unfolded through photography and charitable efforts.
The centrepiece of the fundraising efforts was a grand concert, masterfully arranged to narrate the story of Ukraine's strength in the face of adversity. At the heart of this performance was Nicole Medin, whose angelic voice soared above the stage. Joined by the ethereal harmonies of the children's choir, Voices for Life, and two local choirs, Canzona and the Trowbridge Philharmonic Choir, the concert was a testament to the power of unity and compassion.
The purpose behind the concert was noble and clear – to raise funds for Generators for Oleksandriya. These generators would be deployed to power hospitals, schools, and homes, providing essential aid to those deeply impacted by the invasion. Attendees wholeheartedly supported the cause, knowing that their contributions would make a tangible difference in the lives of countless Ukrainians.
On the forbidding day of February 24th, 2022, a full-scale invasion from Russia to Ukraine shook the nation and reverberated worldwide. The terrible event prompted a response from compassionate individuals like Zhenya Shkil, who took it upon themselves to build a charity network and provide much-needed aid. Among those lending a helping hand was the remarkable singer, Nicole Medin, who, along with others, organised events to raise funds for Ukraine's recovery. One such event was a heartfelt concert held on February 24th, 2023, exactly one year after the invasion began. This blog post follows the captivating journey of hope and resilience that unfolded through photography and charitable efforts.
The centrepiece of the fundraising efforts was a grand concert, masterfully arranged to narrate the story of Ukraine's strength in the face of adversity. At the heart of this performance was Nicole Medin, whose angelic voice soared above the stage. Joined by the ethereal harmonies of the children's choir, Voices for Life, and two local choirs, Canzona and the Trowbridge Philharmonic Choir, the concert was a testament to the power of unity and compassion.
The purpose behind the concert was noble and clear – to raise funds for Generators for Oleksandriya. These generators would be deployed to power hospitals, schools, and homes, providing essential aid to those deeply impacted by the invasion. Attendees wholeheartedly supported the cause, knowing that their contributions would make a tangible difference in the lives of countless Ukrainians.
My Journey as a Photographer: Capturing Hope for Ukraine
It all started when I bumped into Nicole at a Christmas event. She seemed to really like my photos and the project I was working on at the time, which I had named "Ukrainians Moving to England" but renamed to “Persistence Road of Life.” We got talking, and she was curious to learn more about my work.
We decided to meet again, where I took some photos for my project. As we chatted, I learned about Nicole's inspiring work and her involvement in charity efforts for Ukraine. Her dedication and passion for helping others left a deep impression on me. During our conversation, Nicole mentioned the upcoming charity concert she and Zhenya were organising to raise funds for Ukraine's recovery. To my surprise and delight, she asked if I would like to be the photographer for the event and immediately accepted the offer.
With the opportunity, I started planning the photoshoot for the concert. I wanted to capture every moment of hope and unity that would unfold on that special day. To do this, I carefully mapped out where I would be moving around during the event, ensuring I didn't miss any important shots. To make sure I had all angles covered, I strategically wanted to position additional cameras at different spots around the venue. This way, I could capture a variety of perspectives, from the audience's reactions to the performers' heartfelt expressions.
I also took note of special requests from the organisers and performers. Whether it was the choir's enchanting harmonies or Nicole's mesmerising performance, I wanted to make sure these unique moments were forever preserved in photographs. The day of the concert arrived, and it was truly a day to remember. The energy in the air was filled with hope, and the spirit of resilience was palpable. As I moved around with my camera, I felt privileged to be part of this inspiring event.
Being the photographer for the charity concert was a remarkable experience. It allowed me to combine my passion for photography with the opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause. Through my lens, I captured not just images but also the essence of hope and compassion shared by everyone involved. This journey will forever hold a special place in my heart, reminding me of the power of art and charity in bringing positive change to the world.
It all started when I bumped into Nicole at a Christmas event. She seemed to really like my photos and the project I was working on at the time, which I had named "Ukrainians Moving to England" but renamed to “Persistence Road of Life.” We got talking, and she was curious to learn more about my work.
We decided to meet again, where I took some photos for my project. As we chatted, I learned about Nicole's inspiring work and her involvement in charity efforts for Ukraine. Her dedication and passion for helping others left a deep impression on me. During our conversation, Nicole mentioned the upcoming charity concert she and Zhenya were organising to raise funds for Ukraine's recovery. To my surprise and delight, she asked if I would like to be the photographer for the event and immediately accepted the offer.
With the opportunity, I started planning the photoshoot for the concert. I wanted to capture every moment of hope and unity that would unfold on that special day. To do this, I carefully mapped out where I would be moving around during the event, ensuring I didn't miss any important shots. To make sure I had all angles covered, I strategically wanted to position additional cameras at different spots around the venue. This way, I could capture a variety of perspectives, from the audience's reactions to the performers' heartfelt expressions.
I also took note of special requests from the organisers and performers. Whether it was the choir's enchanting harmonies or Nicole's mesmerising performance, I wanted to make sure these unique moments were forever preserved in photographs. The day of the concert arrived, and it was truly a day to remember. The energy in the air was filled with hope, and the spirit of resilience was palpable. As I moved around with my camera, I felt privileged to be part of this inspiring event.
Being the photographer for the charity concert was a remarkable experience. It allowed me to combine my passion for photography with the opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause. Through my lens, I captured not just images but also the essence of hope and compassion shared by everyone involved. This journey will forever hold a special place in my heart, reminding me of the power of art and charity in bringing positive change to the world.
At the beginning of the event, I prepared two cameras I had with me. One was a Nikon D810 with a 24-70mm lens, and the other was a Nikon D780 with a 70-200mm lens. Additionally, I received a request to record most of the performance, so I planned to set up three GoPro cameras. One would be placed right at the back, looking down the aisle. The second one would be positioned in front next to the left pillar, facing the stage area, and the third one would be on the right side. However, due to the large number of attendees and chairs in the way, I couldn't set up the two cameras in front.
When the performance began, the first three requested photos were taken right away. One of the photos was of the audience behind the pillars, looking at the concert displays. The second one captured Nicole standing at the stage in her military uniform costume, and the third one was of Nicole running down the aisle with the Ukrainian flag. It was a fast-paced start, and I had to constantly think, problem-solve, and switch between cameras to capture the best shots.
Throughout the event, I managed to photograph each of Nicole Medin's different performances and costume changes, as well as the different choir performances. I focused on capturing them up close, facing down the aisle and from the right-hand side since those were the areas accessible to me
When the performance began, the first three requested photos were taken right away. One of the photos was of the audience behind the pillars, looking at the concert displays. The second one captured Nicole standing at the stage in her military uniform costume, and the third one was of Nicole running down the aisle with the Ukrainian flag. It was a fast-paced start, and I had to constantly think, problem-solve, and switch between cameras to capture the best shots.
Throughout the event, I managed to photograph each of Nicole Medin's different performances and costume changes, as well as the different choir performances. I focused on capturing them up close, facing down the aisle and from the right-hand side since those were the areas accessible to me
Coming near the end of the day, I took all the requested photos and, most importantly, captured and documented all the special moments of the event through my photography.
At the end, we all celebrated the hard work of those who organised and performed at this special event. I want to extend my thanks to Nicole Medin, Zhenya Shkil, Children’s Choir, Voices for Life, Canzona, Trowbridge Philharmonic Choir, and all the people who helped and organised this event.
As a photographer, this was a significant moment and a big step up for me, as it was one of the largest and most challenging events I've photographed. I had to deal with low light conditions and limited accessible areas while trying to capture all the special moments.
This experience has been an amazing opportunity for me in my photographic career. The entire concert was heartfelt and fantastic, and there were moments that even distracted me from my job as a photographer because of how captivating it was.
Moreover, I'm thrilled to share that this event raised £17,000 and £19,100 from the GoFundMe page.
