Background:
Giles Duley began his photography journey at a remarkable height, working for GQ and Vogue and even touring with Oasis. Despite this early achievement, he felt a lack of fulfillment in the culture and sought a deeper purpose. Gradually, his focus shifted from the glamour of backstage to the realities of conflict, where he started capturing the effects of war on everyday lives. A pivotal moment occurred in Afghanistan when an IED explosion resulted in the loss of three of his limbs, yet Duley returned to war zones with a strengthened resolve to document stories of love and resilience.
“There is a connection from where I started to where I am now which is stories and empathy,” he states. “There’s the story, there’s the storyteller, and then there’s the amplifier. And what brands and individuals can do is be those amplifiers to make sure those stories are heard around the world. … I’ve realized the way I live my best life is to make sure others are living their best life – and that is my purpose.”
Through his Legacy of War Foundation, Giles illustrates how creativity and empathy can dismantle barriers, encouraging everyone to utilize their platforms and skills to foster significant change.
Key Insights:
- Duley captures conflict areas, yet he perceives his work through a distinctly different perspective: “I’m not a war photographer. I photograph love,” he emphasizes, showcasing ordinary moments that reflect our shared humanity: “a grandmother brushing her granddaughter’s hair, a mother feeding her baby, a father on the floor doing lessons with his kids.”
- Although Duley lost three limbs after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan, he chose not to let that trauma dictate his future. “The next day I woke up and I said, ‘I will never think about the things I can’t do, but I will focus on what I can and I will be the very best at that,’” he recalls, referring to the guiding principle that has inspired him since. He later established an organization providing direct support to communities affected by conflict, reinforcing his belief that real change requires both witnessing and taking action.
- Duley has encountered significant challenges in conflict zones and through personal injury, but he insists that creativity can endure even the most severe obstacles. “As creative people, even in ultimate lockdown, we cannot be stopped,” he asserts. “Trust me, there is no barrier that can stop you … because creativity is greater than anything else.” This outlook, shaped in dire circumstances, fuels his commitment to demonstrate that imagination can transcend physical and societal limitations.
- Duley dedicates his efforts to narrating the stories of communities impacted by conflict, yet he believes the true impact arises from those who amplify these stories. “There’s the story, there’s the storyteller, and then there’s the amplifier. What brands and individuals can do is be those amplifiers to make sure those stories are heard around the world,” he states. Regarding his own motivation, Duley affirms, “The way I live my best life is to make sure others are living their best life. And that is my purpose.”
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