We know that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and nothing shows it quite as well as this series of pictures by Michael Stokes. Inspired by his interactions with a wounded US war veteran, the LA-based sports photographer has sparked conversations about beauty with stunning images in his books ‘Exhibition’ and ‘Always Loyal’.
Instead of sombre or sorrowful photos, the pictures have been shot in the same way Stokes would shoot his fitness models. “Some people will say to me ‘Oh, this is really helpful to their self-esteem,’ or, ‘You’re making them feel like men again,’” Stokes told MTV. “These guys have come to me very healed and ready to take the world on. I’m not giving them back their confidence. They already have it.
Photos: Michael Stokes
