Blake Hall
Anyone who has ever said disabilities could not be sexy will eat their words after viewing this photography series starring American heroes.
Content Warning: Nearly Naked Men Everywhere
Amputees and combat veterans are not often the subject of glamorous photo spreads or calendars, but photographer Michael Stokes is changing the game. Stokes’s latest photography book ‘Always Loyal’ exclusively features 14 different wounded Army, Navy and Marine veterans of the Gulf Wars baring it all for the camera.
Here is the cover.
Anyway.
In these pictures, amputees show off their strength and personality by posing in their underwear or nude, often using a firearm as a fig leaf to keep the image safe for work. Sometimes models are wearing prosthetic limbs, sometimes they go without. Every veteran chooses how they are portrayed on camera, which allows them to show off their confidence in spades.
“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 the media. “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.”
As he crowdfunds ‘Always Loyal,’ Stokes will donate a portion of his personal funds to veterans charities. During his last project, proceeds went to the Semper Fi Fund.
UPDATE: ‘Always Loyal’ is available for preorder on Amazon and will be officially released on Nov. 15.
In case the cover image wasn’t enough, here are some more teaser photos of what will be featured in ‘Always Loyal.’
