The Italian photographer Dario Mitidieri has photographed Syrian refugees in a moving photo series titled Lost Family Portraits.
The poignant series features Syrian refugee families who are based in a camp in Bakaa Valley, Lebanon. In the photos, the families can be seen standing against a black backdrop, with empty chairs and spaces between the family members to represent those that passed away during their journey leaving Syria, or those who were left behind. The series does an excellent job encapsulating the humanity of these individuals, who are often described in the media using numbers, statistics and coded and dehumanizing wording like "swarms."
The Lost Family Portraits series engages viewers and makes them think about the intense impact – both physically and mentally – that having to abandon one's home to avoid political and social conflict can have.
Refugee Camp Family Portraits
Lost Family Portraits Reveals the Hardships That Refugees Face
Trend Themes
1. Humanizing Refugees - An opportunity for businesses to develop products and services that humanize refugees and raise awareness of their hardships.
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3. Social Impact Photography - A trend that presents an opportunity for photographers and businesses to use their skills to shed light on social issues and spark conversations.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - Photographers can explore innovative ways to document the lives and stories of refugees, using their art to create empathy and understanding.
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