The power of photography as a tool to tell stories and shed light on social injustices is a theme that resonates deeply with me. When I first started my journey as a photographer, I was captivated by the aesthetics, but it was an eye-opening experience that changed my perspective. The tragic shipwreck off the coast of Lampedusa in 2013, where over 250 migrants lost their lives, served as a turning point. It was then that I realized the potential of my camera to give voice to the voiceless and document the stories of those affected by conflict and social inequality.
My work often focuses on the aftermath of conflicts and the lives of refugees. I've had the privilege of collaborating with journalist Marta Bellingreri, an expert on the Middle East, on a project that brought me to Jordan. There, we spent months at the Médecins Sans Frontières Al-Mowasah hospital in Amman, capturing the stories of its patients.
Among them was Manal, a remarkable 12-year-old girl who had suffered severe burns from a missile explosion in Kirkuk, Iraq. Her resilience and spirit were inspiring. Despite her injuries and the need to wear a protective mask for hours each day, she found joy in the simple pleasures of life. Her room was filled with drawings and a balloon, a testament to her creativity and love for storytelling. Manal's presence at the hospital was a reminder of the long-term impact of conflict on individuals and the importance of providing support and care.
What makes this portrait so powerful is its ability to humanize the impact of war. It's a stark reminder that children are among the most vulnerable victims of conflict, and their stories often go untold. As a father myself, this aspect of my work has taken on a new urgency. I feel a deep sense of responsibility to bear witness to the suffering of children in conflict zones and to use my photography as a tool for awareness and change.
Photography allows me to channel my anger and frustration into something productive. It's a way to give a voice to those who are suffering and to ensure their stories are heard. By sharing these narratives, I hope to open small windows of awareness and plant seeds of empathy and understanding. It's a long-term goal, but one that I believe is essential in building a more compassionate and just world.
In my upcoming project with The Guardian, I will be traveling to Beirut to document the stories of children harmed by the ongoing war. The challenge of photographing such sensitive subjects is not lost on me, but I am committed to doing my best to raise awareness and ensure that their voices are not silenced.
