“…I hope my images will inspire empathy and a broader awareness of the common humanity that connects us all.” – Laurin Strele
劳林·斯特雷勒是一位屡获殊荣的奥地利裔摄影记者，他毕生致力于讲述新闻头条背后的人性故事。.
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.”
Inspired by the works of legendary photographers such as the Turnley brothers, Don McCullin, Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, 史蒂夫·麦凯瑞, James Nachtwey, and 多萝西娅·兰格—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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
所有图片版权所有 劳林·斯特雷尔