Members of the Free Syrian Army during heavy fighting with government troops for the control of the old city of Aleppo, 13 October 2012

What Journalists Carry on the Front Lines: Achilleas Zavallis, Syria

Syria Travel Ambassadors
by Cengiz Yar Jr. Oct 23, 2013
Matador is teaming up with the FFR1 to show you what conflict and foreign freelancers carry with them on assignments.

Achilleas Zavallis is full-time freelance photographer spending his time between the Middle East and Europe. Specializing in editorial photography, he covers conflict and post-conflict issues.

From 2005 to 2011, he was based in Greece documenting the economic crisis and the impact it had on the social fabric of the country. In 2012, he shifted his attention to the Middle East to document, among other issues, the war in Syria and the implications it has for the region.

Profile photo

Achilleas is represented by HAYTHAM Pictures and is a regular contributor to Agence France Presse and a variety of international publications. Here’s a look at his gear:

  • 2 Canon Mark II cameras
  • 2 extra camera batteries & chargers
  • 1 Canon 28mm, f 1.8 lens
  • 1 Canon 50mm, f 1.4 lens
  • 1 Canon 100mm, f2 lens
  • 8 SanDisk memory cards (16GB)
  • 1 Flashlens
  • Notebook
  • Computer: MacBook
  • Military Assault Bag

Items from Achilleas's bag

1The Frontline Freelance Register (FFR) is a representative body for freelancers, created and run by freelancers. It is an independent, ring-fenced entity which sits within the Frontline Club Charitable Trust with membership open to all freelance journalists working in conflict or foreign reporting. The FFR’s core objective is to support the physical and mental well-being of freelance journalists. In a world where staff jobs and fully paid foreign assignments are increasingly scarce, foreign and war reporting is dominated by freelancers, many of whom are deeply committed professionals doing outstanding work. At the same time, many of these freelancers lack the institutional support and the financial means to adequately manage the challenges of operating in dangerous environments in the long term. They also lack organised representation, often leaving them at the mercy of powerful media groups. FFR aims to help freelancers by providing them with a forum, a representative body, and a critical mass to face some of these challenges.

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