One of the world's leading photographers has shot a series of photographs as part of a campaign to help raise money for veterans.
Rankin — who has worked with the Queen, Madonna, and David Bowie— photographed both physically and mentally wounded soldiers who have served in the British military.
The photos will be published alongside their inspirational stories in a new book called "For Queen and Country," and the proceeds will be donated to the "Coming Home" campaign.
The initiative is spearheaded by Haig Housing — a charity which buys and adapts housing for former members of the armed forces.
In a press release, London-based Rankin said: "It is impossible to even begin to comprehend what these men and women have been through, both in theatres of war and their extensive recuperation periods.
"It made their bravery and zest for life all the more humbling."
At 19 years old, Michael Swain lost both his legs in a Taliban bomb blast in Afghanistan. He has since raised £250,000 for charity and won an MBE, but soldiers like Swain who suffered life-changing injuries often need their homes to be specially tailored to suit their needs.
That's where Haig Housing comes in. They have been providing adapted housing for severely wounded veterans for more than 100 years. Ex-servicemen and women who may be homeless or threatened with impending homelessness can also seek help through the charity.
Explaining the striking simplicity of his photos, Rankin said: "I made a conscious decision to photograph them against a white background with the focus on their faces – I wanted to strip away the stigma and show them as real people."
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