Losing one or multiple limbs is life-changing but it doesn't have to mean you're defined by your injuries alone.
Photographer Michael Stokes, from California, has honed in on this with his latest campaign. He's been photographing injured soldiers in a series of powerful and inspirational images.
Instead of looking grave or hiding away the service men stand strong, posing with confidence to show that they're injuries aren't about to hold them back or prevent them from doing normal things.
It's empowering, it's beautiful and hell it is sexy. But apart from being a joy to look at, there's a deeper message to take away from these intimate photographs. One of sacrifice, bravery and hope.
Talking to MTV, Stokes explained: "Some people will say to me 'Oh, this is really helpful to their self-esteem,' or, 'you’re making them feel like men again.' The response I have to that is that 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."
And here's the images to prove it!
© Michael Stokes
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