Puerto Rican-born photographer Carlos Javier Ortiz has created a stunningly emotional photography series, titled 'Too Young To Die' that examines gun control issues by featuring people who have been negatively effected by gun-related crimes.
'Too Young to Die' actually began as a documentary for Ortiz, who travelled around America, interviewing and filming people who had lost loved ones to gun crimes. Instead, Ortiz transformed his project into a photography series which, since its release, has affected hundreds of people with its brutally honest depiction of emotionally distraught friends and families of loved ones who were killed by guns. Some of Ortiz's photos include a woman sobbing at a crime scene, two women hugging each other in front of a coffin, and police officers going to investigate an incident. The clearly unstaged aspect of these photographs makes them especially somber and effective, since it's clear that the subjects are not actors, but people who have been negatively affected by gun violence.
With this stunning photo series, Ortiz has proven that art can indeed help shed light on a cause. Hopefully, with time, photographs like these will be a distant nightmare.
Gun Violence-Protesting Photography
The 'Too Young To Die' Series Addresses Gun Control Issues
Trend Themes
1. Gun Violence Awareness Campaigns - Businesses and non-profits can sponsor and partner with photography campaigns that raise awareness of gun violence and its devastating effects on society.
2. Social Impact Photography - Photographers and artists can use their medium to bring attention to critical social and political issues and inspire change through powerful and authentic visual storytelling.
3. Authenticity in Artistic Expression - There is an opportunity for artists and photographers to embrace raw and unmediated artistic expression to bring attention to social issues and shape cultural narratives in society at large.
Industry Implications
1. Non-profit Organizations - Non-profits can partner with artists to create powerful imagery that delivers compelling messages for their respective causes, raises awareness and grabs public attention.
2. Media and Entertainment - Media and Entertainment companies can sponsor visual art and photography campaigns that augment their content, bring attention to critical issues, and engage audiences in meaningful ways.
3. Political Activism - Political activists and lobbying groups can use emotive storytelling photography to highlight important issues, effect legislative change, and create a sense of urgency for critical issues affecting society.