Greece’s Yannis Behrakis is ‘Guardian Photographer of the Year 2015’

© Yannis Behrakis

This year The Guardian picture desk has chosen Greek photographer Yannis Behrakis of Reuters as its agency photographer of the year.

© Yannis Behrakis

Mr Behrakis documented astonishing moments in two of the biggest stories of 2015 — the refugee crisis and the financial implosion in his home country Greece.

“I have been covering refugees and migrants for over 25 years, but this year has been different: migrants are arriving in my homeland”, the Greek photographer told The Guardian.

“Last year, I was in Suruc on the Turkish-Syrian border documenting the thousands of Kurdish refugees fleeing the town of Kobani. This year on Lesbos, a man I met in Suruc recognised me. ‘I made it, man! I made it,’ he said.”

While covering the refugee influx, Mr Behrakis would begin work at 6:30am and finish at 11pm or midnight. He would stop to file pictures then start again.

In one shot, while photographing a raft Mr Behrakis noticed movement in the water and captured a dolphin jumping in front of the raft (photo below). “It was a truly magical moment. It was as if the dolphin was showing the way and welcoming the people.”

© Yannis Behrakis

The experience is ‘devastating’

© Yannis Behrakis

Mr Behrakis says that the emotional impact of covering the refugee crisis is devastating.

“I have suffered from insomnia and nightmares, and felt guilty many times for not being able to do more. I have refugee blood myself – and I am a father.”

To see Mr Behrakis’ coverage on the refugee crisis and economic situation in Greece, press here.