On October 10, 2025, the names of eight winners of the MYPH PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE 2025 were announced. This award, launched last year by the Mykolaiv School of Conceptual and Art Photography MYPH, has become a launching pad for young Ukrainian photographers to popularize their art during the difficult times of war. The winners receive not only awards and special gifts but also the opportunity to participate in an exhibition of works.
About Organizing the Competition
The photo contest for young artists was organized by the founder of the MYPH School of Conceptual and Art Photography, acclaimed conceptual art photographer Serhii Melnychenko, the school team, and cultural diplomat, patron, and collector Ivanna Bertran. This important contest for young artists was successfully held for the second consecutive year thanks to partners, sponsors, the jury, and the entire team.
The Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers asked Serhii Melnychenko how the award organization was managed this year and what challenges the organizers faced.
Serhii Melnychenko:The main challenges are usually a lack of funding, but that doesn't stop us, so we do it with our own funds, engaging partners and sponsors with various prizes, gifts, and media support, of course. The main challenge faced by many organizations is precisely underfunding. Because of this, some of our partners could not join this year. But in return, we had a huge number of cool prizes, gifts, and bonuses for our male and female finalists and winners from many partners and sponsors.
About the Contest Selection
This year, hundreds of artists were eager to participate in the photo contest. It is an open, free contest for young photographers with up to five years of active practice. Completed photo projects or a series of 8–10 photographs, created over the last two years—2024–2025—were accepted for the contest.
After the first stage of the competitive selection, the jury chose 63 authors. In the second stage, eight finalists were determined using a scoring system.
Serhii Melnychenko: Again, a huge number of applications. It is very encouraging that people apply for the contest, that they see it, want to participate, and want to be seen and heard precisely through our contest.
The organizers carefully select the jury members to avoid conflicts of interest. Representatives of various genres of photography and art directions are invited for objective evaluation. The jury assesses projects based on conception and visual execution, guided by their own criteria. This approach to evaluating contestants' work allows for the selection of strong finalists. The contest has one category—artistic and conceptual photography, created using any photographic technique—from analog film to digital collages, without limitations on approaches. This focus reflects the mission of the MYPH School of Conceptual and Art Photography.
Serhii Melnychenko:This year, we created a mix of a jury, so that we had representatives not only from the photographic environment but also from the artistic direction; and not only those who work with craft, but also those who work with art, management, sales; we had photographers, curators, critics, art dealers, and managers. That is, people who work directly with the medium of photography, for example, like Thomas Dvorak; those who talk about photography, teach photography, like Viktoriia Myronenko, Roman Pidkovka. There were also those who work in the artistic sphere, have their agencies, represent our artists both in Ukraine and abroad, and organize exhibitions. All of this also presents indirect opportunities for our winners. Because even one of the jury members might take note of an artist and offer something.
About the Winners and Projects
The contest organizers emphasize: everyone who makes it to the longlist of 63 authors is already a winner.
The eight winners of the contest this year included: Anastasiia Leliuk, Ania Tsaruk, Dara Petrova, Ielena Kalinichenko, Yehor Hushchyn, Mariia Hyrladzhyu, Mark Chehodaiev, Oleksii Charei.
The top three prize-winning places went to Oleksii Charei, Mark Chehodaiev, and Ielena Kalinichenko.
Serhii Melnychenko: In fact, as organizers, we always rely on the jury, and this year we are very glad that our male and female finalists are totally different from last year's. We leaned more toward documentary photography, and it turned out quite powerful, even compared to last year. Last year, our documentary photography was quite mixed with an artistic component. This year, it was more direct, but also a very beautiful and contemporary picture.
Documentary photographer and serviceman Oleksii Charei won the contest with the project "My Own Virgil", taking first place. The author admits that this is a story about himself through documenting the lives of his comrades. A personal story about the hope that guides one through the darkest times, a journey through all circles of hell, an encounter with vices that must be honestly accepted. He says that in his journey, he has already gone through more than one cycle, more than one circle, so the project continues.
The jury highly praised the work of Mark Chehodaiev, a Kyiv native living in Vienna—he took second place. The author says the essence of his work lies in fixing and preserving moments. Such is the project "Hotel Europe", which he presented at the contest. This is a series of photographs of location interiors and everyday life. The locations—once part of Austrian tourist infrastructure—are now a refuge for people fleeing the war in Ukraine and migrants from other parts of the world. Mark captured the less visible "side effects" of war and forced displacement on a film camera.
Ielena Kalinichenko, a Ukrainian documentary photographer and photojournalist, took third place with the project «I’m not fine». The author explores the psychological impact of war on civilians, how people cope with trauma, anxiety, and PTSD, and what happens when people allow themselves to be vulnerable. This is the first of her planned personal stories, combining artistic, documentary photography, and poetry. The photos were taken during blackouts using a flashlight.
Artist Mariia Hyrladzhyu impressed the jury not only with the theme of her project but also with her approach: for the project «Resistant Soul» she chose the Polaroid emulsion lift technique to best convey an intimate reflection of her own state during the war.
Anastasiia Leliuk with the project «impossible to hide» worked with themes of vulnerability and defenselessness, exploring how war changes the feeling of physical manifestation.
Serhii Melnychenko: As for me personally, as an organizer, I don't know who to single out, because there were projects that I had seen before and some I hadn't, but I really like the mix of genres and directions. For example, Yehor Hushchyn's series is totally different from the works of Oleksii Charei and Ielena Kalinichenko. I really like how Mark Chehodaiev's work functions. And it also differs, for example, from Anastasiia Leliuk's project, about nakedness, about the mix of human and the synergy of human with nature.
About Awards and the Exhibition
As part of the contest conditions, Ielena Kalinichenko received a prestigious bonus in addition to the award—participation in the community of the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers (UAPP). Three other winners, Mark Chehodaiev, Anastasiia Leliuk, and Mariia Hyrladzhyu became candidates for membership in the UAPP community.
Mariia Hyrladzhyu, who impressed the jury not only with the project's theme but also with her approach, utilizing the Polaroid emulsion lift technique, received special awards: professional production and framing of a print from the project from VS-PRINT, 10 films of any type of choice, 10 developing and scans, printing of all photos from 10 films in 10×15 cm size from FOTOVRAMCI, and a prize of 15,000 UAH to support women photographers from Ivanna Bertran.
Diplomas for finalists, as well as certificates for training, books, and gifts from partners, were received by Dara Petrova, Ania Tsaruk, Yehor Hushchyn, Anastasiia Leliuk, and Mariia Hyrladzhyu.
Serhii Melnychenko:The final of the photo contest took place with the exceptional support of Volodymyr Krychovskyi—Leading Social Impact Artist and creator of an internationally recognized social photo project, which has official recognition, including from the Czech Police. His participation as the Main Partner of the event became important for organizing the exhibition and underscored the significance of socially oriented photography in contemporary art. We had a huge number of gifts, various certificates for training at MYPH for large sums, contracts for the purchase of works into the Hryniov collection, membership and candidacy for membership in the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers, certificates from Polaclub, camera bags, free film, developing, scanning and printing of works, a large print work from "VS Print," 15 thousand hryvnias to support women photographers from Ivanna Bertran. And, of course, as always, this includes sets of books from MOKSOP, from Creative Publishing, from ArtHuss, and so on. All our finalists and winners left with their hands full of gifts.
However, the awards did not end there—the winners received the opportunity to participate in a photo exhibition. The exhibition of the MYPH PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE 2025 winners can be seen at Kyiv's Dymchuk Gallery, which is the official partner of the project. It will run until November 16, Wednesday to Sunday, from 12:00 to 19:00 at the address: Kyiv, Yaroslavska St., 21.
The contest organizers invite both young artists to come to the exhibition to get a boost of motivation, and viewers not involved in photography to see the incredible works of young photographers.
About Opportunities After Winning
The Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers asked the winners of the MYPH PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE 2025 what opportunities opened up for them with the victory and what the community of photographers means to them.
Oleksii Charei: To be honest, I have not yet realized the specific opportunities. First and foremost, winning the contest restored my faith that what I am doing is not in vain, that it has value. It is very difficult in the military to continue feeling that value. And this contest was very useful for my psychological well-being. I hope that this victory will help me more effectively promote my artistic brand, gain more attention for my work, and also get more resources to do more complex projects. I really want to do an analog project. I will probably be able to realize the specific opportunities when the emotions settle down a bit and I return to work. I understand that victories are not enough; discipline and daily work toward one's goals are necessary for their achievement.
Kalinichenko: I am currently working on a project within the UAPP mentorship program, and I have not yet had time to use my prizes. But I will definitely take advantage of every opportunity they provide. I am very grateful to the contest for new acquaintances and the chance to prove myself.
Chehodaiev: It was unexpected to make it into the shortlist, and even more so to see my work among the winners. For me, this is the first exhibition in Kyiv in over three years, in front of an audience from my native city, which is very pleasant and exciting. Talking about new opportunities after winning is still too early, I can only say that I am happy to continue the series. The opportunity to continue working on the project, having the experience of the contest and new motivation, is the most valuable thing. I also want to mention MYPH's media work—it’s great to be present in the local context again, even while being abroad.
About the Importance of the Photo Community
Oleksii Charei: Personally, it is very important for me to have an environment for exchanging experience. The community of documentarians and reportage photographers in Ukraine seems very non-toxic and friendly to me. I know that I can always turn to my colleagues with any work, or even non-work, question. And since the level of Ukrainian photographers is quite high, which has been repeatedly confirmed by victories in authoritative international contests, and the representation of our artists in leading world museums and galleries—this help is usually very useful.
Ielena Kalinichenko:This is primarily about support, inspiration, and growing together. I joined not so long ago, but I have already met many sincere and talented people. At the same time, we have room to grow. I would like to see a community where people respect each other regardless of gender or age.
Mark Chehodaiev: Firstly, I do not perceive myself as a photographer, but rather as an artist who occasionally works with the medium of photography. Secondly, artists’ experiences are very different now. It is difficult to find this commonality in such a great gradation of experiences. Look at this year's winners: Oleksii, who received first prize—a photographer serving in the Armed Forces; second place—me, an artist who has been in Austria since the end of 2021. Perhaps the only commonality is the war in Ukraine, its experiences and consequences—this is truly the key theme of most works, because this is the reality in which everyone lives today, regardless of their location. This affects everyone.
Ielena Kalinichenko – a Ukrainian documentary photographer and photojournalist. Her work explores personal stories of war and human resilience. Photography is not only her passion but also a way of interacting with the world. She is interested in experimenting with creative approaches to documentary photography. She decided to stay in Kyiv during the war, combining office work to support her country with her desire to photograph. Last year, she left corporate work and completely focused on photography. Ielena learns independently and through observing the work of others. She strives to become a photographer whose work stays with people.
Mark Chehodaiev – born in Kyiv in 1997. He studied at the Department of Scenography at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, where he received a Master's degree in 2020. After this, he worked in the film industry as a production designer. In 2019, he completed a contemporary art course at the Kyiv Academy of Media Arts, and since 2021, he has been living in Vienna and studying Site-specific Art at Die Angewandte. In 2023, he received the Young European Artist Trieste Contemporanea Award. The core of his work is the idea of fixing and preserving moments. Mark works with installation, interventions in public space, and photography. He is interested in how personal experience and memory coexist with the anonymous context of a place. The starting point for his work is often specific spaces—from his own room to a hotel in the Alps.
Oleksii Charei – a documentary photographer, serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He received his education at the Faculty of Cybernetics of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University. Until 2020, he worked in the fields of marketing, sales, and production, and also engaged in entrepreneurial activities. Since 2009, he was the founder and director of a network of tattoo studios. In 2015, he began working in commercial photography. Specifically, he did projects for Coca Cola, Reebok, Agromat, Epicenter, Tavria, XXL and Marie Claire magazines, and other international and local brands. In 2019, he began working in documentary photography. His first projects were related to domestic violence, child rights violations, and police misconduct. In 2020, he completed a course at the MYPH photography school.
Serhii Melnychenko — photographer, lecturer, founder of the MYPH School of Conceptual and Art Photography. He started photography in 2009. Since then, he has participated in about 200 solo and group exhibitions, fairs, and festivals worldwide. He is the organizer and curator of over 40 projects and exhibitions featuring the works of MYPH school students around the world over the last 5 years. Winner of all-Ukrainian and international contests and awards, including the "Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer" in 2017 (Berlin), "Photographer of the Year" in 2012, 2013, and 2016 (Kyiv, Ukraine), "Golden Camera" in 2012 (Kyiv, Ukraine). Finalist of "Krakow Photomonth," "Pinchuk Art Center Prize," "Off_Festival Bratislava 2014," "DEBUTS 2018," "Kolga Tbilisi Photo Award," "Batumi Photodays," and others. Participant in "Paris Photo," "Volta Art Fair," "Photo L.A.," "Photo Basel," "Unseen fair." Nominated for the "Foam Paul Huf Award" in 2020 and 2023. Selected to participate in the European platform for photographers "FUTURES" in 2022. Serhii's photographs are held in private and public collections in the USA, Hong Kong, Ukraine, Poland, France, Germany, Belgium, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Japan, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, and others. In 2022 and 2023, two series, totaling 25 of Serhii's works, became part of the permanent collection of the "Alexander Tutsek-Stiftung" foundation. In 2023, he received an annual scholarship (grant) from the "Alexander Tutsek-Stiftung" foundation to create his own photo project.
The material was prepared by:
Topic Researcher, Text Author: Yana Yevmenova
Visual Editor: Vladyslav Krasnoshchok
Literary Editor: Yuliia Futei
