Ilia Yefimovich


Ilia Yefimovich is a Russian-born Israeli documentary photographer and photojournalist known for his extensive coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, social issues, and territorial conflicts across Russia and the Middle East. His work, often characterized by an empathetic and observational style, has been featured by major news agencies and exhibited internationally.

Career

Ilia Yefimovich’s professional career in photojournalism began in the mid-2000s, focusing heavily on regions defined by geopolitical tension and conflict. He served as a staff photographer for the Russian News agency ITAR TASS from 2009 to 2014, where he covered the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He later worked as a freelance photographer for Getty Images, German Press Agency . He is a staff photographer for Agence France-Presse from November 2025. His photographs frequently appear in international publications, documenting day-to-day life alongside significant news events.
Yefimovich co-founded "The Archive Magazine," an Israeli platform dedicated to promoting and showcasing documentary photography. He has shared his expertise by teaching photography at the Minshar art school and the Massa Jewish Agency, and has served as a curator for the Local Testimony exhibition in Israel from 2025.

Awards

  • 2011. POYI : Award of Excellence for Spot News and Finalist Award for impact.
  • 2011. Local Testimony: Winner of the "Photo of the Year"
  • 2011. Lead Award : Photo of the Year.
  • 2013. International Arte Laguna Prize: 1st place in the Under 25 category.
  • 2023. Roi Idan Prize for War Coverage.
  • 2024. POY Asia: First Place in General News.
  • 2024. Uri Avnery Award For Courageous Journalism.

Exhibitions

Solo

YearTitleLocationNotes
2010Thought observing PalestinaIsraeli Cultural Center, Moscow, Russia
2012Searching Mode : Landscape #001Tavi Gallery, Tel-Aviv, Israel
2013Portraits in the LandscapeMoscow Museum of Modern Art, Moscow, RussiaPart of the Photo Biennale.
2014Searching Mode: RecreationTel-Aviv Opera, Tel-Aviv, Israel
2014Baked LandFab-Lab Gallery, Tel-Aviv, Israel
2014Once upon a time there was a light, light so bright that no one could seeAgripas 12 Gallery, Jerusalem, Israel
2015RelianceMinshar Gallery, Tel-Aviv, Israel
2015Hard To RememberArt-Villa Gallery, Tuscany, Italy
2016Once upon a time there was a light…Photo-Bibleoteka, Art-Play, Moscow, Russia
2016A-LocalTsekh Gallery, Kyiv, Ukraine
2016A-localFroots Gallery, Shanghai, ChinaFocuses on his work regarding territory and conflict.
2017A-localFroots Gallery, Beijing, China
2019in-diebus-illisRotterdam Photography Festival, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2020paradox-of-apocalypseRotterdam Photo Festival, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2021in-diebus-illisPerm, Russia
2025Dairy of WarRotterdam Photography Festival, Rotterdam, NetherlandsExhibit documenting the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Group