Children take part in a soccer training session in Kharkiv, Ukraine, 04 October 2023. The children's soccer school 'Master of the Ball' which resumed training in Kharkiv's Saltivka district in April 2023, is located in an area heavily damaged during fighting in 2022. The school is one of a few soccer schools which have reopened since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Russian troops entered Ukrainian territory in February 2022, starting a conflict that has provoked destruction and a humanitarian crisis.
Oleksandr Osipov (1985) is a Ukrainian reportage photographer based in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Started career in 2009 in sports reportage: FC Metalist Kharkiv as a staff photographer, UEFA and FIBA as a freelancer.
Expanded activity in photojournalism highlighting arts, social events, Russia's war against Ukraine. Worked as a stringer for Reuters, EPA.
Became internationally known in March 2022 with "In the Streets of Kharkiv" video series – performances of cellist Denys Karachevtsev playing Bach in the ruined streets of Kharkiv. The project received huge coverage on social media and TV.
Awards 2024 - "Bronze" award. PX3 - Prix de la Photographie, Paris. “Naftalab performance laboratory”. Category: "Press / Performing Arts";
2024 - "Bronze" award. PX3 - Prix de la Photographie, Paris. "Master of the Ball Soccer School". Category: "Press / Sports";
2024 - Honorable Mention. Prix de la Photographie, Paris. "Blackout in Kharkiv". Category: "Special/Night Photography";
2024 - Honorable Mention. Prix de la Photographie, Paris. "KharkivMusicFest 2024". Category: "Press/Performing Arts";
2024 - Honorable Mention. Prix de la Photographie, Paris. "Performance amid explosions". Category: "Press/Performing Arts";
2024 - Monochromatic Awards finalist. Dodho Magazine. “Naftalab performance laboratory”;
2024 - "Platinum Winner". London Photography Awards. "Someone Like Me". Categories: "Fine Art Photography - Abstract", "Fine Art Photography - Photojournalism", "People Photography - Fine Art";
2024 - "Gold Winner". London Photography Awards. “Naftalab performance laboratory”. Categories: "Editorial Photography - Photojournalism", "Fine Art Photography - Photojournalism", "Black & White Photography - Photojournalism", "London Photography - Cultural", "People Photography - Culture";
2024 - Honorable mention. The reFocus Awards. "Master of the Ball Soccer School". Category "Photojournalism";
2024 - Nominee in Photojournalism. Fine Art Photography Awards 2023/2024. “Naftalab performance laboratory”;
2023 – Honorable mention. International Photography Awards. "Blackout in Ukraine", categories Editorial/Press-War/Conflict and Special-Night Photography;
2015, 2017 - First place. National Olympic Committee competition: the best sports photo of the year. Category "Professional photographers";
2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15 - The best photographer of the Ukrainian Football Premier League.
