Julia Avgusta Morozova (1899-1958) was a Russian photographer and photojournalist who is best known for her work documenting the Soviet Union during the 1920s and 1930s. Born in Moscow, she began her career as a photographer in 1919, working for the newspaper Iskra. She quickly gained recognition for her work, which often focused on everyday life in Russia.
In 1924, Morozova joined the OGPU (the secret police of the Soviet Union) as a photojournalist. During this time, she traveled extensively throughout the country, photographing people and places that were rarely seen by outsiders. Her photographs captured both the beauty and hardship of life in Russia during this period.
In 1929, Morozova left the OGPU to become a freelance photographer. She continued to document everyday life in Russia, but also began to focus more on artistic photography. Her work was featured in several exhibitions throughout Europe and North America during this time.
Morozova's most famous work is her series of photographs taken during World War II. She documented both the devastation caused by war and the resilience of those who survived it. Her photographs were widely published in newspapers and magazines around the world, bringing attention to the plight of those affected by war.
Morozova's work has been exhibited at numerous galleries around the world, including The Museum of Modern Art in New York City and The State Russian Museum in St Petersburg. In 2018, she was posthumously awarded The Order of Friendship by Russian President Vladimir Putin for her contributions to photography and photojournalism.