Real Stories 2024 - Through their Lens: Our Armed Forces Community
In 2021, the King’s Centre for Military Health Research embarked on an innovative project to amplify the voices of the UK Armed Forces community through photography. Real Stories 2021 debuted as a virtual gallery, providing an intimate and powerful glimpse into the defining moments of military family life.
Building on the success of that inaugural project, we are thrilled to introduce Real Stories 2024. This year’s theme, ‘Capturing Meaningful Life Events’, offers another opportunity to explore what meaningful moments look like for the Armed Forces community. Some contributors have chosen to highlight monumental milestones such as rowing the Atlantic, marching in their first international parade, or rediscovering purpose after a challenging chapter. Others have focused on quieter, deeply personal moments: standing on a hillside at dawn, the simplicity of a son’s uniform on a washing line, or the joy of a family walk in nature.
A Celebration of Connection and Meaning
Together, these submissions create a rich tapestry of photography, paintings, poetry, and prose, showcasing the diversity of experiences within the Armed Forces community. These images and their accompanying captions offer a deeply personal perspective on life in the military world, highlighting not only the challenges but also the joy and pride that define it.
Real Stories 2024 is more than a collection of photographs; it is witness to the strength and spirit of those who serve and their families. Through these stories, we gain insight into the unique and universal experiences that define military life, moments of perseverance, reflection, and finding purpose. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all contributors and supporters who made this project possible.
We hope Real Stories 2024 moves and inspires you as much as it has us. To view the Real Stories 2024 gallery online, please click here. For those interested in revisiting our previous project, Real Stories 2021, both the virtual gallery and print album are also available to explore.