Photographs can boost morale – Iryna iSky, Ukrainian Armed Forces volunteer and photographer 

Iryna shared this on Espreso channel.

Iryna iSky has been volunteering on the front lines since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. Initially, she joined to assist the military effort. However, in October last year, she signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine to photograph the soldiers to provide them with psychological and emotional support. According to Iryna, this process significantly boosts morale amongst the defenders.

"During the process, we talk with the soldiers and exchange various emotions and feelings," says Iryna. "The soldiers need to remain focused and purposeful, blocking certain emotions. However, when we take pictures, we release those emotions, creating a lasting memory of their service. The soldiers' reactions are priceless, and we are thrilled to capture those raw and honest emotions."

According to the military, the most emotional moments are when the soldiers return from combat missions.

"I remember a situation when the soldiers returned from a mission, still steaming and red. They asked me to take their pictures for their tombstone, and I realized that I needed to say something to help them readjust emotionally. In that second, I thought of millions of ways to encourage them, admiring their appearance and emphasizing their courage and masculinity. That's when emotions, jokes, and smiles arise. When I take their pictures, I reinforce their warrior spirit, and they write to me, 'God, I look like a true warrior,' " Iryna recounts.

“Photography evokes emotions in everyone, and this is important, as the soldiers' emotional mechanism is triggered. They do not become petrified or stiff; instead, they relax and become more comfortable, ready to return to their duties,” she concluded.