Photographer Captures 28 Faces And Stories That Are Impossible To Ignore

“Ivan” is the kind of face that stops you mid-scroll, because the story behind it is impossible to ignore. At 29, from Nova Odesa, he went from running cargo transport to volunteering for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and then right into a moment that changed everything.

In September 2024, during a combat mission, his vehicle hit a landmine. His childhood friend was killed, Ivan lost an arm, and still he managed to apply tourniquets himself and walk nearly three kilometers under shelling to get to safety. After treatment in Sloviansk, Dnipro, and Kyiv, he started prosthetic rehabilitation at the Superhumans Center in April 2025, and now he is hunting for work again, open to both civilian and military roles.

When you add Ruslana’s recovery arc right beside his, the project turns into more than portraits, it becomes a record of survival that keeps going.

“Ivan”

Ivan, 29, from Nova Odesa, Ukraine, worked as a service engineer and ran a small cargo transport business before the war.

In 2023, he volunteered for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and served in the Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions. During a combat mission in September 2024, his vehicle struck a landmine. His childhood friend was killed, and Ivan lost an arm.

Despite his injuries, he applied tourniquets himself and walked nearly three kilometers under shelling to reach safety. After treatment in Sloviansk, Dnipro, and Kyiv, he began prosthetic rehabilitation at the Superhumans Center in April 2025.

Ivan is now looking for work and is open to both civilian and military roles.

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“Ruslana”

At 18, Ruslana joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a signal operator. In February 2023, a mortar attack left her with a severe injury and the loss of a leg.

Recovery brought depression, uncertainty, and a struggle with her sense of identity. After receiving a prosthetic and completing rehabilitation at the Superhumans Center, she began rebuilding an active life.

Ruslana started documenting her recovery online, and her blog has since grown to more than 132,000 followers. She has completed a 5K run and taken on climbing, wake surfing, and surfing with her prosthetic.

Today, she uses her experience to support other wounded Ukrainians, particularly women adjusting to life after amputation. She also works in the Superhumans Center’s communications team and represents the organization as an ambassador.

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“Saxon Stableford” - Freckles

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Brock Elbank's Unique Perspective

Brock Elbank's work challenges conventional beauty standards by highlighting features like scars and birthmarks that often go unnoticed or are stigmatized. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it's a powerful commentary on how society views imperfections. By placing these subjects against stark backgrounds, Elbank strips away distractions, forcing viewers to confront the stories etched into each face.

The emotional weight of these portraits lies in the narratives behind them. Each subject represents a journey of resilience and identity, inviting viewers to engage in a conversation about what it means to be ‘normal.’ Elbank’s choice to focus on these often-overlooked aspects of humanity speaks volumes about inclusivity in art.

The Broader Implications of Elbank’s Work

Elbank’s photography goes beyond aesthetics; it serves as a reminder of the narratives that shape our identities. By focusing on the unique features of his subjects, he illuminates the broader social implications of beauty and acceptance. This is particularly relevant in today’s climate, where conversations around inclusivity and representation are more important than ever.

His work serves as a call to action for both artists and audiences to engage with these themes critically. It’s about fostering a culture that embraces diverse experiences rather than one that shuns them, making Elbank’s project not just an artistic endeavor but a social movement.

“Eddie”

Eddie, a British volunteer from Dorset, spent years working on large sailing yachts, crossing the Atlantic nine times and competing in offshore races. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he left life at sea to support civilians near the front line.

Since autumn 2022, Eddie has delivered food, water, and medical supplies, repaired damaged infrastructure, improved evacuation routes, and helped civilians escape areas under active attack.

On January 30, 2025, Eddie and his team leader, Plylp from @base_ua_ngo, were evacuating two civilians from Pokrovsk when their clearly marked humanitarian vehicle was struck by a Russian FPV drone. Eddie lost his left arm and leg. Plylp’s rapid response, including applying multiple tourniquets and coordinating his evacuation, saved his life.

After more than 15 surgeries and six weeks of treatment in Kyiv, Eddie began rehabilitation at Superhumans. Months later, he received a prosthetic leg and joined the organization as an ambassador, sharing both his experience and the stories of Ukrainians with international audiences.

He has also returned to sailing, competing in the European Parasailing Championships in Norway in August. Eddie is now making full use of the second chance his teammates helped give him.

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“Valentyna”

Valentyna Osychenko, 59, is from Sievierodonetsk in Ukraine’s Luhansk region, where she worked as a baker before the full-scale invasion.

On May 20, 2022, she was preparing lunch outdoors when Russian shelling left her with severe facial injuries, a traumatic brain injury, and the loss of one eye. After receiving first aid, she was evacuated through Lysychansk and Bakhmut to Dnipro.

Valentyna later received treatment at the Superhumans Center, undergoing several operations during a Ukrainian-French facial reconstruction mission. More surgeries are still ahead.

Throughout her recovery, Valentyna has remained optimistic and active. She has taken part in photo and video projects supporting others living with serious facial injuries caused by the war.

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“Axel Schylström” - Scars

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Ivan’s landmine story hits first, and then you immediately realize the “recovery” part is not a clean, neat chapter, it’s another fight on repeat.

The Power of Vulnerability

Elbank's decision to showcase scars and disabilities isn’t just visually striking; it’s also deeply vulnerable. Each portrait serves as a testament to the struggles and triumphs of the individuals portrayed. This vulnerability resonates with audiences who might see parts of their own stories reflected in these images.

This raw display of identity can spark conversations about acceptance and the need to embrace our flaws. While some might argue that this approach risks fetishizing difference, it’s hard to deny the empowerment that comes from seeing one's own experiences represented in art.

“Teresa” - Alopecia

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“Oleg”

Oleg, a veteran from Kryvyi Rih, brought an unforgettable presence to the studio. Before the full-scale invasion, he was an entrepreneur and a passionate rock climber. At 53, he initially struggled to enlist but soon found himself serving on the front lines.

He fought in southern Ukraine, including the liberation of Beryslav and battles around Soledar and Bakhmut. In June 2023, his vehicle was hit near Kostyantynivka, leaving him with severe burns, shrapnel wounds, and the loss of one eye. Despite his injuries, Oleg gave himself first aid and walked nearly a kilometer to reach his unit.

After extensive facial reconstruction and rehabilitation, Oleg returned to climbing with his wife. Calling himself a “one-eyed climber,” he now hopes to create an inclusive climbing team for veterans, open his own gym, and help others rebuild their lives through sport.

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“Yevhen”

Yevhen, 31, from Horishni Plavni, earned the nickname “Spidey” for his sharp sense of humor despite everything he has been through. Before the war, he worked as a driver and had already served on the Luhansk frontline in 2016–2017.

After Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, he volunteered again, serving in Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Donetsk. He first survived a shrapnel wound to the neck and returned to combat after treatment.

On October 6, 2024, Yevhen suffered severe burns over roughly 20% of his body while evacuating through flames during fighting in Donetsk Oblast. After treatment in Dnipro and Lviv, he began rehabilitation at the Superhumans Center.

Ukrainian and British surgeons performed skin grafting on his left hand to restore finger movement. The surgery was successful, and another procedure is planned for his right hand.

Once rehabilitation is complete, Yevhen hopes to return to military service.

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Whose Stories Are Worth Telling?

In a world obsessed with polished perfection, Elbank's focus on the 'imperfect' raises important questions about representation. Who gets to decide which stories are worthy of being told? By choosing to highlight scars and disabilities, Elbank challenges the mainstream narrative that often sidelines these experiences.

This decision can stir debate among viewers. While many celebrate this inclusive approach, others might feel uncomfortable with the raw honesty. It forces us to question the boundaries of vulnerability and the ethics of visual storytelling.

“Josh” - Freckles

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“Carlotta Bertotti” - Humankind

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“Leonie Timothy” - Vitiligo

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Ruslana’s February 2023 mortar injury, the missing leg, and the way she rebuilt her identity after rehabilitation at the Superhumans Center makes the whole timeline feel even more complicated.

Elbank’s portraits serve as a mirror reflecting both societal attitudes and personal experiences. The visibility of scars and birthmarks in art can lead to greater acceptance and understanding in a world where differences are too often hidden. By showcasing these features, Elbank is pushing against stigmas that have long defined beauty norms.

This representation matters, especially for individuals who may feel marginalized. It’s about seeing oneself in the art, which can be a transformative experience for many. That’s what makes this project so impactful; it redefines what it means to be seen.

Ivan’s story feels even heavier after reading the funniest first-time win that turned into a fail, then a surprise.

“Polly” - Freckles

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“Crystal Mitchell” - Scars

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“Kaine Buffonge” - Freckles

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Creating a Dialogue on Disability

Elbank's work doesn’t just celebrate differences; it invites viewers to engage with the complexities of disability. By capturing individuals with visible disabilities, he challenges the traditional narratives that often romanticize or sensationalize such experiences. Instead, he offers a more nuanced portrayal that reflects everyday realities.

This approach can lead to both admiration and discomfort among audiences. Some may appreciate the raw honesty while others might grapple with their own biases about disability. It's this tension that makes Elbank's work so vital; it compels us to confront our perceptions.

“Elizabeth Soffe A. k. a. Miss Cheeky Pants”

Elizabeth Soffe, better known as Miss Cheeky Pants, returned for another photo shoot with Brock Elbank, bringing her usual confidence and energy.

Since her previous session, Elizabeth has undergone more surgeries to release scar tissue and help separate her fingers. She has also put her determination into fundraising. After learning that Birmingham Children’s Hospital could not afford a laser machine for scar treatment, she completed a marathon by running one mile a day and raised an impressive £215,000.

The money fully funded the machine, with additional donations going to other charities. Elizabeth has since received a Pride of Birmingham Award and has already been treated using the equipment she helped provide.

She is not finished yet. More fundraising plans are already taking shape, possibly involving roller skates.

Photographing Elizabeth is an experience in itself. Her confidence, humor, and easygoing personality are infectious, and she seems to approach everything with a smile.

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“Beau Zanca” - Scars

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“Youkang Wu” - CMN

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And when her blog grows past 132,000 followers, it stops being just her story, it becomes a lifeline for other wounded Ukrainians, especially women adjusting to amputation.

Art as a Catalyst for Change

Elbank’s portraits have the potential to influence not just personal perceptions but societal attitudes as well. By showcasing the beauty in scars and birthmarks, he encourages viewers to reconsider their definitions of beauty. This kind of art can serve as a catalyst for broader conversations about acceptance and the celebration of diversity.

However, the challenge lies in translating this visual impact into meaningful change. Will viewers leave with a newfound appreciation, or will they revert to old biases? The success of this initiative hinges on the ongoing dialogue it inspires.

“Lle Thomas” - Vitiligo

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“Shanks” - Vitiligo

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“Padmine Gajadhar” - Vitiligo

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Elbank walks a fine line in his artistic journey. While his work aims to celebrate the unique beauty of his subjects, there's an inherent risk of exploiting their stories for artistic gain. The tension between artistic expression and ethical representation is compelling. Can he truly honor their experiences while still creating art that resonates with a broader audience?

This moral gray area is crucial to consider. It raises questions about consent, representation, and the responsibilities of artists when portraying marginalized communities. Elbank’s approach invites us to think critically about these dynamics.

“Daniel Sweig” - Scars

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“Tessa” - Humankind

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“Yuriy”

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That’s where Brock Elbank’s “Saxon Stableford” freckles approach clicks into place, because both projects stare straight at what society usually looks away from.</p>

Community Reactions and Divided Opinions

The community response to Elbank's work has been a mixed bag, reflecting the complexities of representation in art.

“Oleksandr”

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, Oleksandr worked as an underground electrician in the Lviv region and had no military experience. On February 27, 2022, he volunteered for service and later fought in the Kharkiv, Donetsk, Bakhmut, and Zaporizhzhia regions.

During a reconnaissance mission near Mala Tokmachka, his unit was spotted by a drone and came under artillery fire. Shrapnel severely injured Oleksandr’s face, but he still managed to reach an evacuation vehicle about a kilometer away.

The injury left him unable to eat independently for four months and affected his speech, hearing, sense of taste and smell, and breathing. At the Superhumans Center, Oleksandr underwent five reconstructive surgeries that restored much of his nasal breathing and allowed him to eat without assistance. He also received temporary dental implants.

Today, Oleksandr no longer wears the mask he relied on during the first year after his injury. He credits his wife and son with helping him through his recovery, while several additional surgeries still lie ahead.

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“Daryl” - Scars

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“Isabella Welch” - Scars

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Why Scars Matter

In Elbank’s work, scars serve as more than just physical marks; they’re symbols of survival, resilience, and identity. Each subject's story is intertwined with their scars, offering insight into their personal journeys. This focus challenges the conventional notion that beauty must be flawless.

By showcasing these stories, Elbank transforms scars into badges of honor, inviting viewers to rethink their perceptions of imperfection. This shift is vital in a world that too often equates beauty with uniformity. It’s a refreshing take that resonates deeply in today's conversation about self-acceptance.

“Derek Owusu” - Scars

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Elbank’s photographs ask viewers to look longer than they normally might. Visible differences, injuries, and difficult life circumstances can easily become labels, especially when people are encountered only briefly.

His portraits slow that process down. By placing each subject at the center of the image without visual distractions, the photographs leave room for individuality, personality, and personal history to come through.

The Takeaway

Brock Elbank's photography captures the essence of what it means to embrace our imperfections and the stories that come with them. By focusing on scars and disabilities, he challenges societal norms and invites broader conversations about beauty and acceptance. This project resonates because it confronts our biases and compels us to reflect on how we view ourselves and others. As viewers engage with these powerful portraits, we must consider how art can drive social change. Are we ready to redefine beauty in a way that includes every story?

These 28 faces do not ask for sympathy, they demand you remember.

Want more shockers like Ivan’s landmine loss, check out 90 before-and-after photos that mess with your sense of time.