Ye Aung Thu

Photographer

BIOGRAPHY

Ye Aung Thu is an award-winning Burmese photographer. He is widely recognized for his striking images of life in Myanmar and across Asia. With over a decade of experience, he has covered major events such as the SEA Games, the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and the Basketball World Cup 2019, and photographed global leaders including Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, and Aung San Suu Kyi. 

Ye Aung Thu began his career in journalism in 2010 and joined Agence France-Presse in 2012 where he worked for nearly ten years. In 2022, he left Agence France-Presse to focus on supporting local journalists, offering training in photojournalism, safety, and visual storytelling, especially for citizen journalists (CJs). 

After the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, Ye Aung Thu shifted his focus to capturing the devastating impact of war, resilience, and moments of hope. His unique style blends journalistic realism with artistic storytelling, offering a deep insight into the human cost of conflict. His work has been instrumental in raising global awareness about Myanmar’s ongoing struggles.

Currently, he is working on a documentary film and other photography projects while continuing to nurture and strengthen Myanmar’s photography community. 

PHOTOS: A Nation in Conflict

Myanmar has been racked by internal conflict for decades, most recently a 2021 military coup, which sparked widespread armed opposition, leading to revolution. Different civilian militias, loosely organized into the People’s Defense Forces (PDF), escalated resistance in 2024.

The photographer lived through a 1988 military coup, aged six, and saw history repeat itself when his own son was six in 2021. He has since traveled across the country, documenting different insurgent groups, and observing how their determination brings hope in dark times.