Sefa Eyol is a Turkish-born freelance documentary photographer based in Shanghai, China, and is currently studying Photojournalism at Danish School of Media and Journalism. His work focuses on long-term photography essays examining social issues, and geographical, physical and spiritual isolation themes. His is most interested in the relationship between human beings and the environment. His project The Costs of Freedom was shot in Ukraine over a four-month period from April to July 2022.
He is succinct when describing both his intent and personal experience shooting the project: ‘I wanted to document the devastating consequences of the war and the struggle of the Ukrainian people for their freedom since the beginning of the war. During my stay in Ukraine, I witnessed many incredible stories and events. The one that impressed me the most was in the villages on the front line, where people who had lost their homes and stayed in shelters for months shared with us the food they still had after all this pain.’
Creating the submission in a dangerous warzone clearly had a profound effect on him: ‘I think I gained a lot of experience both as a photographer and as a person.’
The funeral of Ukraine soldier Krupa Igor Stepanovych, 42, who was killed in an attack in Lugansk on April 20. Igor has 2 children, Marta is 10 years old and Nazar is 8 years old, they were there to say goodbye to their father.Sefa Eyol
Sergey, 62, after the Russian attack on Andriivka, he found his house completely destroyed. Sergey was working as a liquidator in Chernobyl and had built his house with money he had saved over the years. Sergey’s wife died 3 years ago from cancer. He lives in his car with a few belongings he took with him and waits for the Ukrainian Government to help.Sefa Eyol
Car cemetery, outskirts of Irpin.Sefa Eyol
Maria and her dog, Maria, were working as graphic designers before the war. She did not leave her country after losing her job and is voluntarily participating in military training.Sefa Eyol
The funeral of Ukraine soldier Gozalo Yaroslav, who was killed in an attack in Donbas. Hundreds of neighbours in the village where he lived were there to do their last duty for him. Yaroslav was seriously injured in the attack in 2014. With the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he did not hesitate to defend his country again.Sefa Eyol
Destroyed bridge which one connected Kyiv city and the town of Irpin.Sefa Eyol
Sunday prayers in an Orthodox church in Lviv. Air raid alarms can be heard during the ceremony.Sefa Eyol
The funeral of Ukraine soldier Krupa Igor Stepanovych, 42. Igor has 2 children Marta is 10 years old and Nazar is 8 years old, they were there to say goodbye to their father.Sefa Eyol
Grandmother Maria, along with her husband, daughter-in-law and 2-year-old granddaughter, lived in the shelter for a month. Russians controlled the Ukrainian village of Andriivka for more than 2 months, in May the Ukrainian army regained control.Sefa Eyol
In a cloudy late afternoon, cemetery workers from Starychi village.Sefa Eyol
