We Are Not The Dead is a powerful portrait series depicting British soldiers before, during and after their operational deployment in Afghanistan. Spanning an eight month period, each image is accompanied by a caption of the subject's thoughts and feelings at the time. One of photographer Lalage Snow's main motivations to put together this important series was to give several brave men and women the opportunity to explain what their experience overseas is really like.
Fear is a common thread shared throughout the We Are Not The Dead series. Snow says, "As the body count of British servicemen killed or wounded rose and the political ramifications of the British army’s presence in Afghanistan became increasingly convoluted, more and more soldiers felt like they didn’t have a voice, or at least, weren’t being listened to."
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Soldier Portraits
- This trend showcases the power of visual storytelling and the impact it can have in raising awareness and understanding of military experiences.
- Mental Health Awareness
- This trend highlights the need to address the mental health challenges faced by soldiers and the importance of providing support and resources for their well-being.
- Personal Narratives
- This trend emphasizes the value of personal stories in giving a voice to individuals and fostering empathy and understanding in society.
Where This Applies
- Photography
- The photography industry can leverage this trend to create powerful visual narratives that evoke emotional responses and challenge societal perceptions.
- Military Support Services
- The military support services industry can explore innovative approaches and solutions to address the mental health needs of soldiers and provide them with the necessary support and resources.
- Media and Publishing
- The media and publishing industry can incorporate personal narratives like We Are Not The Dead to bring attention to important social issues and promote dialogue and understanding.
