Laurin Strele

Profile Laurin Strele

© Laurin Strele

“…I hope my images will inspire empathy and a broader awareness of the common humanity that connects us all.” – Laurin Strele


─── by Josh Bright, April 8, 2025


Laurin Strele is an award-winning Austrian-born photojournalist who has dedicated his career to telling the human stories behind the headlines.

Photo of boys playing instruments by Laurin Strele
Vietnam, 2022


His passion for photography began at an early age, sparked by powerful images in his parents’ photo books. Strele was particularly drawn to photographs of the Vietnam War and other historic moments in photojournalism, which, he says, “went beyond words and opened new worlds to him.”

“The ability of photography to connect us through time and space with shared emotions fascinated me. The importance of bearing witness and giving a voice to those who are often unheard left a deep impression on me early in life. It became my dream to follow in the footsteps of those photographers and use my work to shed light on untold stories.”

Photo of red hands by Laurin Strele
"Hands of a Cloth Dyer", Bangladesh 2023
Photo of woman holding a baby in Bangladesh by Laurin Strele
"Coal Worker", Bangladesh 2023
colort portrait photo of Mongolian boy on horse by Laurin Strele
"Young Eaglehunter", Mongolia 2023


Inspired by the works of legendary photographers such as the Turnley brothers, Don McCullin, Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Steve McCurry, James Nachtwey, and Dorothea Lange—as well as a new generation of storytellers—Strele dedicated himself to documenting humanity in all its complexity.

In recent years, Strele has gained international recognition for his award-winning documentation of the war in Ukraine, where he spent much of 2024 capturing the resilience of soldiers and civilians amidst devastation. In Lebanon, he has chronicled the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, portraying not only destruction but also the perseverance of daily life in Beirut and beyond.

color portrait photo of soldier in Ukraine, 2024 by Laurin Strele
Donbas, Ukraine, 2024
color portrait photo of a young girl in Bamyan, Afghanistan, 2024 by Laurin Strele
Bamyan, Afghanistan, 2024
color portrait photo of two men in Amman by Laurin Strele
"Dice And Feathers”, Amman, Jordan 2024


His approach to photojournalism is deeply rooted in empathy and respect, essential when working in such sensitive and volatile environments. He strives to remain unobtrusive, earning the trust of those he photographs while preserving their dignity. He believes that truly representing people’s stories requires understanding their lives and context while acknowledging the ethical dilemmas that come with documenting suffering.

“There are moments when I have to overcome the instinct not to take a photo—particularly in difficult situations, such as photographing wounded soldiers or people enduring immense adversity. In those instances, I remind myself of the purpose behind the image: to bear witness, raise awareness, and tell stories that might otherwise remain unseen.”

Photo of family in Jaipur India by the side of the road by Laurin Strele
"Rajasthani Family", Jaipur, India 2024
color portrait photo of children playing in Bangladesh by Laurin Strele
"Shipwreck", Dhaka, Bangladesh 2023
color portrait photo of child in plastic recycling plant in Dhaka, Bangladesh by Laurin Strele
Dhaka, Bangladesh 2023


Strele’s images from Ukraine are striking—soldiers on the frontlines, civilians in evacuation shelters, grieving families at funerals. His photography captures the brutal reality of war while maintaining the dignity of those affected. One moment, in particular, left a deep impact on him.

“It was when I documented the aftermath of a missile strike on a supermarket. Burned bodies lay scattered on the floor, while just across the street, people stood with shopping bags in hand, balancing on shattered glass from broken windows. We entered the building while firefighters were still searching for survivors. It was devastating. I took photos of burnt bodies to reveal the reality of this war and its indiscriminate impact on the innocent—ordinary people simply trying to live their lives in peace.”

color portrait photo of taliban in Herat, Afghanistan by Laurin Strele
“Stairway Standoff”, Herat, Afghanistan 2024


Beyond the destruction, Strele’s work also captures resilience—the extraordinary strength of those who, despite unimaginable horror, continue forward. This is at the heart of Strele’s practice, a commitment to capturing the human experience—the bravery, diversity, and resilience found in every corner of the world. In addition to Ukraine and Lebanon, he has worked in India, Afghanistan (where one of his images was selected as the third prize winner of our 2024 Visual Story Award by judge Nichole Sobecki), Iraq, and beyond, following in the footsteps of the luminaries who first inspired him.

“The strength and hope I’ve encountered in communities facing hardship continually drive my work. I believe that photography has the power to foster understanding, compassion, and action. By sharing these stories, I aim to break down barriers and encourage positive change, particularly among those who may never come into contact with different realities or consider how people on the other side of the world live. I hope my images will inspire empathy and a broader awareness of the common humanity that connects us all.”

color portrait photo of two women in Gobi Desert, Mongolia, 2023 by Laurin Strele
"Mother and Daughter Stand Under the Vast, Fading Skies of the Gobi Desert", Mongolia 2023


In a world saturated with manipulated images and fleeting, superfluous content, where misinformation and AI-generated imagery are on the rise, authentic photojournalism has never been more crucial. Practitioners like Strele, whose work is rooted in ethics and integrity, play a vital role in cutting through the noise and ensuring real human stories are told. As he eloquently puts it:

“The authenticity of real human experiences, captured in the moment, remains irreplaceable and essential for fostering understanding and accountability in the world.”

 

All images © Laurin Strele

Privacy Overview
The Independent Photographer

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website or helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

3rd Party Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.