LIGHT AND HOPE FOR OLEKSANDRIYA, UKRAINE

I was invited to photograph the Light and Hope for Oleksandriya concert, an event created to raise funds for ambulances and medical supplies for Oleksandriya, Ukraine. The concert brought together choirs and singer Nicole Medin, using music as a way to support communities affected by the war.

In the days leading up to the event, Nicole and I visited St Luke’s Church for rehearsals and final preparations. While Nicole practised with the choirs and Everton accompanied on piano, I documented the process and planned my movement during the concert. Knowing the running order was essential, especially with multiple costume changes and performances taking place throughout the evening.

On the day of the concert, I arrived early to set up at the back of the church. I worked with two cameras: a Nikon D850 paired with a 24–70mm lens for flexibility, and a Nikon D780 with a 70–200mm lens to capture closer details from a distance.

As the venue filled, I studied the lighting and looked for strong angles to photograph from. Everton fine-tuned the piano, performers rehearsed briefly, and Nicole prepared her costumes. Once the audience settled, the concert began, and the space quickly filled with sound, movement, and quiet anticipation.

The opening images show the performers’ entrance and the beginning of the concert. Nicole’s first performance immediately drew the audience in, setting the tone for the evening.

As the concert progressed, Nicole moved through several traditional Ukrainian outfits, each connected to the meaning of the songs she performed. During costume changes, the choir took centre stage, lifting the atmosphere with their harmonies. These moments brought a natural rhythm to the event and allowed the energy to build gradually.

One of the most striking aspects of the concert was the way light fell across the stage. In several moments, Nicole was softly backlit, creating a calm and almost ethereal feel in the images.

In one wide frame, the Ukrainian flag placed on a nearby chair became part of the composition, adding context and depth without dominating the scene. From the side of the church, I captured Nicole singing while Everton played behind her, highlighting the connection between performer and musician.

Nicole’s final costume marked a clear shift in tone, introducing a more British influence to the performance. Anticipating her entrance, I positioned myself behind the audience to capture the moment she stepped back onto the stage.

The lighting aligned perfectly, allowing me to document the transition with clarity. As the concert reached its conclusion, Nicole performed alongside the choir, blending her voice with classical arrangements. The finale brought the evening together, closing the concert on a strong and emotional note.

Photographing this event alone was challenging, requiring constant movement and quick decisions. Despite this, I was able to cover the full performance and capture the key moments from multiple perspectives.

The organisers and performers were pleased with the results, and the day also led to new connections, including photographing guests such as the Mayor of Bath. I’m grateful to everyone involved for creating such a meaningful event and for using music and community to support Oleksandriya.