The Verge: Ukrainian Tech Workers
The Verge commissioned me to create a series of portraits of Ukrainian tech workers in Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Denver, and Ukraine for the story “Working Through It.” I collaborated closely with writer Mia Sato and photo editor Amelia Holowaty Krales. The story included one remote photoshoot in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
"Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine was home to nearly 300,000 tech workers, with many employed by American companies. In a war, work-life balance takes on a new meaning.”
Tim Tkachenko at home in San Francisco, California, October 29th, 2022.
Tkachenko (right) with Founders Running Club in San Francisco, California, October 29th, 2022.
Tim Tkachenko, co-founder of investing startup Qure.Finance in San Francisco. When Russia invaded Ukraine, the company lost contact with a new employee in Ukraine.
Tkachenko (middle) founded a running club for tech workers, including other people from Ukraine and Russia.
Covalenko at home in Denver, Colorado. At Expedia, Covalenco joined a mental health ambassadors program to be a resource for coworkers.
Covalenco has worked to live without guilt after unplugging from constant war updates.
Kate Covalenco at Red Rocks Park in Morrison, Colorado outside of Denver, October 23rd, 2022.
At Expedia, Covalenco joined a mental health ambassadors program to be a resource for coworkers.
Kate Covalenco resets at one of her favorite hiking spots outside Denver, Colorado.
Tonkopi and Anna with some Delfast employees and their families: Lucy Farrell, Andrii Tarnavskyi, Daniel Tonkopi, Anna, Daria Minakova and her daughter Oleksandra in Los Angeles, Califonia, August 26th, 2022.
Daniel Tonkopi on an e-bike designed and manufactured by his startup Delfast.
A Delfast bike designed and manufactured by Tonkopi’s startup.
Daniel Tonkopi and Anna at home in Los Angeles, California on August 26th, 2022.
As Anna awaits employment authorization, she keeps herself busy taking online classes.
Anna worries about her parents in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Nataliia Zarichna at home in Castro Valley, California, October 30th, 2022.
Zarichna says donating money to Ukrainian causes seems like the best way for her to help at this time.
Nataliia Zarichna at Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley, California, October 30th, 2022.
Serhii continues working for an American tech company amid Russian attacks in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Serhii worries about his girlfriend who fled the country, his parents who are recovering after Russia’s multi-month occupation of their town, and about his cat should something happen to him.