Beyond gloom and gore, Veronique de Viguerie captures humanity in conflict

Photo: Sharjah Government Media Bureau

French photographer Veronique De Viguerie took the stage at the International Photography Festival (Xposure) 2025 to share powerful stories of resilience and courage. She spoke about the people she has met in war zones—people who, despite the violence surrounding them, continue to live, love, and find moments of joy.

When people think of war, they often imagine destruction, pain, and endless suffering. But for De Viguerie, who has spent two decades photographing conflict areas, war zones also reveal strength, survival, and even happiness. Speaking to an engaged audience on Tuesday, she described her mission to break stereotypes and show the unexpected side of life in these troubled regions.

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Challenging Assumptions in Afghanistan

De Viguerie recalled her first trip to Afghanistan and how it changed her perspective. "I arrived with so many assumptions," she admitted. "I believed Afghan women were silent and powerless. But then I met policewomen in Kandahar—strong, confident, and even laughing. They were nothing like the image I had in my mind."

As she spoke, she pointed to a photograph of Afghan policewomen, a moment that shifted her understanding of war and its people. This experience shaped the way she tells stories through her camera.

Finding Contradictions in War

From Afghanistan to Iraq, Syria to Ukraine, De Viguerie’s work captures the complex reality of war. Her photographs show how life continues even in the most dangerous places. One powerful image she shared was of a Kurdish fighter holding her baby just after returning from the battlefield.

"This picture is very special to me," she explained. "I had just become a mother myself, and people told me I should stop working. But here was this woman—both a soldier and a mother. It proved that you don’t have to choose between two identities. You can be both."

Seeing the ‘Enemy’ as Human

One of the most surprising things De Viguerie has learned is that even those labeled as enemies have their humanity. She showed a photograph of American soldiers walking through an opium field in Afghanistan—a strange sight considering the global fight against drugs. Another image featured a Taliban fighter sitting under an apple tree, resting beside his weapon.

"He had a small embroidered bag for his gun," she said. "It was something delicate, personal. It reminded me that even people on the other side of war are still human. Given the right situation, any of us could be capable of terrible things. War is never just good versus evil—it’s much more complicated than that."

De Viguerie believes that the media often oversimplifies conflict, making it seem black and white. "If we only see one side of the story, we risk missing the truth," she warned.

Life Continues in the Midst of War

Even in war zones, people continue with their daily lives. De Viguerie’s photographs capture weddings in Mosul, carnival celebrations in Rio’s favelas, and children taking their first steps inside bomb shelters in Ukraine.

"During war, emotions become stronger," she said. "Yes, pain is deeper, but joy is, too."

The Role of a War Photographer

Does she ever feel the need to step in and help? "Of course," she admitted. "But I’m not a rescuer. I’m a journalist. My job is to show the truth, to make people see what’s happening. If my photos can help create change, then I’ve done my part."

The Advantage of Being a Woman in War Zones

Traditionally, war photography has been a male-dominated field. However, De Viguerie believes being a woman has given her a unique advantage. "I can move between both worlds. I can talk to men, but I can also enter spaces where men aren’t allowed. In Afghanistan, people see me as a ‘third gender’—not one of their women, but not a man either. This gives me access that male photographers don’t have."

Her exhibition at Xposure 2025 reminds us that behind every war, there are real people—people who love, celebrate, and hope for a better future. Through her lens, De Viguerie continues to challenge the way we see conflict, urging us to look beyond the headlines and see the human stories that lie beneath.

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