Bridges of Connection

“Bridges of Connection” tells of a mother’s effort to keep love alive after divorce and war. Through reunion, play, and absence, it reflects the invisible bridges built so children can stay close to a distant parent.

Bridges of Connection is a story about the invisible labor of mothers who sustain family ties after separation, across distance, war, and broken trust.

I divorced two years ago, yet as a mother I carry the responsibility of ensuring my children remain connected to their father, who now serves in the Ukrainian army. For over a year they had not seen him. In September 2025, he was granted a rare holiday abroad. I arranged his travel so our children, Nadia (11) and Maksym (7), could finally reunite with him in the UK.

I photographed their days together: the first embrace at the airport, seaside play, forest walks, and everyday rituals of presence. Alongside these documentary images, I weave in bridges — literal and symbolic, as metaphors for the pathways I must constantly build. Some bridges are strong, others fragile, yet all embody resilience, effort, and hope.

This project is both personal and universal. It speaks to countless women who, despite pain and loss, create bridges so that love can continue to flow across divided lives.