A photo book dedicated to the work of Azerbaijani photojournalist Shahvalad Ayvazov, who lives in Georgia, has been published in Tbilisi.
The publication was prepared as a joint project of the Ministry of Culture of Georgia and the Georgian Journalists Federation, with the aim of bringing together examples from the extensive photo archive Ayvazov has built up over many years, News Cover reports, citing Azerbaijan's State Committee on Work with Diaspora.
The book, compiled in Georgian and English, was printed at the CEZANNE printing house with the support of Creative Georgia. The project was authored and led by Giorgi Mamatsashvili.
Shahvalad Ayvazov’s career in photojournalism spans several decades. He has documented major socio-political events both in Georgia and abroad. His photographs have captured the April 9 protests, the Chechen War and armed conflicts in various regions.
Born in Tbilisi on June 26, 1956, the photojournalist began his artistic journey during his school years. The first photographs he took with a Smena camera in the seventh grade influenced his decision to pursue a career in photography. After graduating from the Faculty of Journalism at Tbilisi State University, Ayvazov began his professional career as a photo correspondent at Sakinform and has collaborated with the Associated Press (AP) since 1992.
He is a war veteran and a member of the Board of the Georgian Journalists Federation. He has received the Order of Honor, the Alexander Roinashvili Diploma and the Grand Prix of the Georgian Ministry of Defence, as well as awards in international photography competitions.
Ayvazov currently continues to work as a photojournalist for the Azerbaijani-language newspaper “Georgia,” published in Georgia.
