There’s something profoundly raw about a photograph taken by a child. The lack of pretense, the absence of a calculated frame—just a moment, captured as it was felt. Now imagine those moments unfolding in war-affected villages across Ukraine, seen through the eyes of the very children living in them. This is the heart of Behind Blue Eyes, a newly released zine featuring a collection of images shot on disposable film cameras by children in recently liberated areas of Ukraine. More than just a book, it’s a visual testament to resilience, hope, and the unfiltered perspective of youth in the face of war.
Behind Blue Eyes is a charity initiative dedicated to amplifying the voices of children in war-affected regions of Ukraine through creative storytelling, photography, and artistic expression.
I’ve seen my fair share of photojournalism centered on conflict. The images are often harrowing, deeply moving, and undeniably important. But Behind Blue Eyes is different. It doesn’t impose an adult narrative onto children’s experiences. Instead, it hands them the lens—literally—and lets them tell their own stories. More than just photographs; these are fragments of life, captured without inhibition, unshaped by the expectation of an audience.
A Collection of Unfiltered Moments
Between 2022 and 2024, the team behind the Behind Blue Eyes initiative traveled to 19 villages in the North, South, and East of Ukraine, distributing disposable cameras to children and letting them document their world. The result is a book filled with over 200 images, each one uniquely personal. Some shots are playful, others achingly poignant. The photographs are presented with the child’s name, age, and location—details that turn what could be an anonymous archive into an intimate collection of individual perspectives.
One of the most striking images in the book is an 11-year-old named Valya’s photo of dandelions against the sky. It’s simple, yet poetic—a quiet contrast to the chaos these children have endured. The sky appears throughout the zine, a recurring subject that, according to the project’s creators, is the most commonly photographed object. It’s as if these children, who have spent so much time looking down in fear, are finally allowing themselves to look up.
I hope this book allows readers to see children not through the eyes of an adult but as a friend. I want people to step into our shoes and understand why listening to and respecting children is so important. Children are not just victims of war; they are resilient and full of hope. This book is a reminder to cherish and pay attention to all children.”
Natalka Sosnytska, program manager, Behind Blue Eyes
The zine doesn’t stop at imagery. It includes wishlists handwritten by the children—small, deeply personal notes listing their hopes and dreams. Some are simple: a new backpack, a phone case, a set of paints. Others cut deeper: “I don’t want to hear explosions anymore.” “I want peace in Ukraine.”
“These children don’t question whether their dreams are possible,” says Artem Skorokhodko, co-founder of Behind Blue Eyes. “To them, their aspirations are undeniable truths, and their resilience is incredibly inspiring.”
The book also incorporates reflections from the project team, offering insight into their motivations and experiences. Using a color-coded system, the voices of the team members weave through the zine, sharing the origins of the project, the emotional weight of their expeditions, and the questions they often ask the children about their dreams, hobbies, and hopes for the future.
Every aspect of Behind Blue Eyes is intentional, down to its pocket-sized format. It fits comfortably in an adult’s hand, reinforcing the idea that it’s meant to be held close—something small, delicate, and personal. The open spine and stack of paper pages mimic the feeling of a child’s notebook, distancing it from the formality of a traditional photo book or archive. It invites interaction, a tactile experience that aligns with the project’s core mission: to see and honor children as they are, without the filter of adult assumptions.
A Call to Support
Proceeds from the zine go directly toward fostering creative activities for children in war-affected regions, ensuring that their voices continue to be heard and their dreams, however big or small, are acknowledged.
The project recently expanded its storytelling efforts with a documentary, Blyshchyk: The South, chronicling their creativity festivals near the frontlines in Mykolaiv. The film is available on YouTube, offering yet another window into the resilience of these children.
Owning a copy is not just an act of support—it’s a reminder of the power of perspective, the importance of listening, and the undeniable hope that exists, even in the darkest times.
And if you take anything from this project, let it be this: children are not just passive observers of war. They are storytellers, dreamers, and, above all, survivors.
The post Behind Blue Eyes Captures a Child’s View of War in Ukraine appeared first on PRINT Magazine.