Nish Nalbandian — Syrian Civil War

At an age when many professionals are settling into established careers, Nish Nalbandian made a radical pivot — trading a comfortable life for the front lines of one of the most devastating conflicts of the 21st century. His photographs from the Syrian Civil War brought international attention to the human cost of the conflict and earned him representation with Redux Pictures in New York.

In this interview, Nish talks candidly about what drove him to photojournalism later in life, the ethical weight of photographing people in extreme suffering, and the practical realities of working in a war zone. He discusses how he builds trust with subjects, the decisions he makes about what to photograph and what to leave unphotographed, and how he processes the emotional toll of the work.

Nish also reflects on the role of photojournalism in shaping public opinion and policy, and why he believes bearing witness — even at personal risk — is one of the most important things a photographer can do.