AP photographer finds beauty at the Paralympics by capturing what's 'not there'
Morenatti combines his personal experience of losing a leg with his photography to capture the Paralympics with the utmost respect and admiration.
Emilio Morenatti, 55, is the AP’s chief photographer for Spain and Portugal, renowned for his powerful and empathetic visual storytelling. Having lost a leg in Afghanistan in 2009, his personal journey has hugely influenced his approach to his art form.
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He describes his work covering this year's Paralympics as deeply fulfilling: “When I’m covering the Paralympics, I feel I get a lot back from the athletes. What you see is a lot of energy. Athletes are pushing themselves to the maximum.”
Emilio’s disability has also fostered a deep connection with the athletes he covers. He reflects, “My own disability helps break barriers. When the athletes see my prosthetic, they know that like them I had to overcome some obstacles in my career, and that creates a connection between us.”
With his work, he hopes to capture the beauty and complexity of the disabled body with respect and sensitivity: “I try to make beautiful photos of a disabled body. My aim is to capture the part of the body that is not there anymore, an absence that needs to be accepted.”
Here are a few of his standout shots from this year’s Paralympic Games:
The Paralympic Games Paris 2024 took place from 28 August to 8 September.
