The Big Interview PHOTO TRADE AT WAR

We regularly receive emails from Ukraine based photo editing software developer Skylum, best known for its flagship Luminar Neo product. So when war broke out last February, it was one of the first companies we thought of. Now, one year on, we ask CEO Ivan Kutanin (pictured) to offer his unique perspective on continuing to run a business during the conflict

When war broke out with Putin’s invasion of Ukraine last February, Ivan Kutanin, the CEO of photo editing software developer Skylum, also based in Ukraine, happened to be on holiday in Paris with his family. Suddenly finding themselves with no home to return to, and one piece of luggage to their name, the Kutanin family found refuge in Lisbon, Portugal, where they currently reside.

Each member of the Skylum family has a different story, however. Men of fighting age are required to stay in Ukraine, as anyone who’s watched the news this past year will know, while the rest of the team is now spread out across several different countries and time zones.

Having found the challenges of doing business through Covid-19 these past few years difficult enough, here at BPI News we were fascinated to know how our fellow members of the photo trade can still do business during a time of war – something that puts all of our own daily struggles into perspective…

BPI News: It’s hard for most of us to imagine suddenly finding our country at war with its neighbour – how did working life change last February and what were your first practical considerations?

Ivan Kutanin, Skylum CEO: It changed a lot. More than 50% of our employees were moving from place to place to find safer accommodation. Due to Covid-19, we were already fully prepared for working online, so we did not depend on an office workspace. When the war started, if employees had Internet and electricity, they went online and joined those teams who were settled and were able to work. If you have an international company, you are not able to meet everyone in person, and so this form of communication was also welcome before the pandemic.

Q: How has technology helped you to continue with the business, despite the war and the world around you changing?

I believe the most important thing is to not forget that the war is still here and Ukraine needs your support. So the more the media, communities and people spread the word on what’s happening, the better.”

For more on Skylum and everything to do with its Luminar Neo software head to: https://skylum.com/luminar

A: We already had all our development and distribution services in the cloud, and for some R&D operations we also switched to a cloud infrastructure. We were already communicating via the Internet, so tech has really helped a lot of companies in our situation.

Q: What have been the biggest challenges, and at the same time the biggest triumphs for you this past year?

A: The biggest challenge was to navigate between establishing a new life in a new country for myself and for employees’ families, while continuing to grow the business. War came to us in the middle of strategic planning, so frustration was high and all strategic events took a lot more time. But looking back, I think we did great; we were able to save the team, launch new strategic plans, and release more than 20 updates to Luminar Neo.

Q: How has your working practice evolved as war has continued? And how has it affected the development and sharing of your Luminar product?

Finding a safe space: When Ukraine was invaded in February 2022, Skylum’s staff sought refuge where they could and switched to working online; a practice they were already set up for due to the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020

A: Nowadays we have team members across more time zones, so there is less time when the whole team can work together. However we now have more flexibility with the timing for meetings, and middle management have been given more power to work closely with teams and to share more responsibility for the results.

Q: Any advice you’d be able to give a business in a similar wartime situation?

A: It would be much harder if the company still had bad processes and operating procedures. Thankfully we were able to work on all crucial processes prior to the invasion, meaning that every team member can work and operate independently now. Another thing that helped was that team members all over the world started helping each other. If someone got to a safe place, they began to help with finding accommodation for other team members. It felt like a family where everybody helps each other. I am very proud of the team’s attitude.

Q: You’ve been able to get out to The Photography Show in the UK and CES in the USA – how easy or difficult is foreign travel at the moment – I would imagine it is a bigger challenge than it was before the outbreak of war?

A: The EU gave temporary protection as a means for non-EU residents to stay longer in the EU. Methods of travel did not change much for those who are not in Ukraine. Male Skylum employees who are Ukrainian citizens, however, are not able to exit Ukraine if they do not have special permission. Also, there are no flights from Ukraine, only trains and buses to Poland, Romania and Moldova. These countries made ‘roads of life’.

Q: The photo industry and various technology giants have paused, stopped or reduced trade with Russia in response to Putin’s war, and here in the UK, there have been many fundraising initiatives to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine. We’ve donated to the Red Cross, for example. Is there more that the photo industry could be doing… if so, how can they help Ukraine further, and what is the best way to provide aid?

A: There are always ways one can help. At Skylum we’ve gathered together a comprehensive list at skylum.com/blog/ how-you-can-help-ukraine. Additionally, we launched a foundation last summer that helps Ukrainians who have suffered from the war by providing them with medical equipment. See more at: skylum.com/es/newsroom/skylumannounces-the-launch-of-foundationvalid-ua. So please don’t hesitate to learn more and donate if you wish to. But I believe the most important thing is to not forget that the war is still here and Ukraine needs your support. So the more the media, communities and people spread the word on what’s happening, the better. War is not a hot topic that fades with time; it’s something that we have to fight all together. We can’t win this war alone!

Q: Finally, are there any personal observations or stories from team members or co-workers still in Ukraine about what their experience on the ground is?

A: When the war started there was lots of misinformation and a lack of understanding of how war can change the life of one person. So back then Anna, our Head of PR and Communications, started to prepare some employee stories. These can be read at: skylum.com/blog/-skylum-teams-war-stories For more on Skylum and everything to do with its Luminar Neo software head to: https://skylum.com/luminar. With thanks to Anna Koval at Skylum for helping us to make this article happen.

Skylum has put together a list of ways in which you can help Ukraine at: skylum.com/blog/how-you-can-help-ukraine