Love seen through a lens captures how powerful small moments of humanity truly are. This photo collection depicts love during times of both strength and fragility; love amid both war and celebration; and the raw emotion behind both romantic and platonic love. Check out the powerful photos below from around the world.
1. A Boy Embraces His Sibling Amid The Refugee And Migrant Crisis In Greece
BULENT KILIC via Getty Images
A youth embraces his sibling as refugees and migrants reach the shores of the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey on November 12, 2015.
2. War Veterans Reunite In Turkey After 74 Years
Burhan Ozbilici/ASSOCIATED PRESS
War veterans Huseyin Kacmaz, 97 from Turkey and Jack Ryan, 95 of Australia meet again as friends after 74 years on April 25, 1990 in Gallipoli, Turkey. The last time they met was on a battlefield at Gallipoli where the pair fought on opposite sides.
3. Firefighters In Salt Lake City Use Tiny Masks To Provide Oxygen To Cats
Jasen Asay/Salt Lake City Fire Department via AP
In this photo provided by the Salt Lake City Fire Department, firefighters give oxygen to two cats on Friday, July 10, 2015, in Salt Lake City, through a specially-sized mask designed for felines.
4. Family Members Kiss A Prisoner Holding The Quran After He Was Freed From Abu Ghraib Prison
RAMZI HAIDAR via Getty Images
A freed prisoner holding up the Muslim holy Koran is hugged and kissed by family members after being released from the Abu Ghraib prison, west of Baghdad, 28 May 2004.
5. A Policeman In Baghdad Holds A Young Girl’s Hand
AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/Getty Images
An Iraqi policeman holds a young girl’s hand near the entrance to a school on the first day of the new semester in Baghdad on October 22, 2014.
6. Children Hug Following A Festival In India
Arijit Saha/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
Children and men embracing each other after offering prayer during the ‘Eid’ Festival on July 18, 2015 in kolkata, India.
7. Music-goers Lift Up A Fellow Fan’s Spirits In San Francisco
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
A music fan crowd surfs at the Lands End Stage during day 2 of the 2013 Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival at Golden Gate Park on August 10, 2013 in San Francisco, California.
8. A Military Family Reunites In Hawaii
PATRICK BAZ via Getty Images
Savannah Dejong holding her son Rhone (3) greets her husband, Daniel with 1/3 Marines Bravo Company, upon his return to Hawaii on June 13, 2010, following a seven-month deployment in southern Afghanistan.
9. A Homeless Man Kisses His Pup In Philadelphia
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Craig, who is homeless, sits with his dog, Chester, at Broad Street Ministry on September 22, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
10. An Afghan Man Gives Tea To U.S Soldiers
Rafiq Maqbool/ASSOCIATED PRESS
An Afghan man gives tea to U.S soldiers of 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division patrol during a search operation to hunt members of Taliban in Nerkh district of Wardak province in west of Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, May 1, 2009.
11. A Little Girl Greets Her Father With Outstretched Arms
Bert Hardy via Getty Images
A little girl runs to meet her father on his return from work in March 1942.
12. A Volunteer Comforts A Crying Refugee Toddler In Greece
Ozge Elif Kizil/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
A European volunteer talks to a crying refugee toddler after refugee boat arrived in Lesbos Island, Greece on September 17, 2015. European volunteers who came to Greece’s Lesbos Island provide food, drinks and clothing for refugees.
13. South Korea, Portugal, Romania, Spain, U.S., Germany, Scotland, Puerto Rico, U.K. Send Love To Paris Following Attacks
JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images
A combination made with pictures taken on November and December 2015 shows foreign tributes at a makeshift memorial near the Bataclan concert hall in tribute to the victims of November 13 terror attacks in Paris. (From top L) A flag of South Korea, a flag of Portugal, a Romania scarf, a flag of Spain, a child’s drawing with the national flag of France (L) and the national flag of United States, a flag of Germany, a flag of Scotland, a placard bearing the Puerto Rico national flag and reading ‘Puerto Rico with France’, and a British Union Jack flag.
14. President Obama And Vice President Joe Biden Embrace In Chicago
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
NOVEMBER 06: U.S. President Barack Obama and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden embrace on stage after his victory speech on election night at McCormick Place November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama won reelection against Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
15. Two Polar Bears Cuddle In The Netherlands
REMKO DE WAAL/AFP via Getty Images
Polar bears Freedom and Viktor cuddle each other in the water at the Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen on January 23, 2014. The two bears were reunited after three years.
16. A Soccer Player Weeps For Joy In Stockholm
Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
SWEDEN – JUNE 29: The Brazilian left winger Mariao ZAGALLO weeping for joy after the victory of his team on that of Sweden. The finals of the soccer World Cup (in Stockholm) was played between the Swedish and Brazilian players. Brazil won by 5-2.
17. A Father And Son Pay Respects Following The San Bernardino Shooting
Jae C. Hong/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gary Mendoza and his son Michael pay their respects at a makeshift memorial site honoring shooting victims in San Bernardino, Calif. Hughes Springs, Texas.
18. Boston Residents Give Out Free Hugs After The Marathon Bombing
Wendy Maeda/Boston Globe via Getty Images
Genevieve Bien-Aime of Somerville embraced Keith Martin who advertised free hugs on Boston Common, Tuesday, April 16, 2013. Martin, of Manchester, N.H. drove down to Boston because ‘everyone needs love and everyone needs a hug today,’ he said. During a half hour period he embraced over a dozen people.
19. A Boy Plays With A Dog In A Settlement For Escaped Slaves In Brazil
RAPHAEL ALVES via Getty Images
A young boy plays with a dog in a village in Brazil on October 20th, 2014. The village comprises 25 families and has been defined as the second urban ‘quilombo’ (a settlement inhabited by escaped slaves) to be recognized in Brazil.
20. A Couple Kisses In The Street As Riots Break Out In Vancouver
Rich Lam via Getty Images
Riot police walk in the street as a couple kisses on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, Canada. Vancouver broke out in riots after their hockey team the Vancouver Canucks lost in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals.
21. Muslim Worshippers Show Love During Prayer At A Mosque In Maryland
Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Muslim worshipers pray during the 1445th anniversary of the birthday of Prophet Mohammad, Mawlid al Nabi, the holy night on which the birth of prophet Mohammed is marked, in the mosque at the Diyanet Center of America in Lanham, Maryland, USA on December 22, 2015.
22. A Man Rescues Puppies Amid Flooding In The Philippines
Aaron Favila/ASSOCIATED PRESS
A man carries puppies back inside their house as other dogs stay on the roof at a flooded area in Marikina City, east of Manila, Philippines, Wednesday Aug. 8, 2012.
23. A Gay Couple Kisses In Taipei
Mandy Cheng/AFP via Getty Images
A same-sex couples kiss during an event outside the Legislative Council in Taipei on March 16, 2014. Dozens of members of the gay community gathered to demand same-sex marriages.
24. President Obama Holds Hands With One Of The Original Walkers Of Selma Civil Rights March
SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
US President Barack Obama walks alongside Amelia Boynton Robinson (R), one of the original marchers, the Reverend Al Sharpton (2nd R), First Lady Michelle Obama (L), and US Representative John Lewis (2nd-L), Democrat of Georgia, and also one of the original marchers, across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches in Selma, Alabama, March 7, 2015. The event commemorates Bloody Sunday, when civil rights marchers attempting to walk to the Alabama capital of Montgomery to end voting discrimination against African Americans, clashed with police on the bridge.
25. Parents From London Are Reunited With Their Evacuated Children During WWII
Reg Speller via Getty Images
Parents from London are reunited with their evacuated children in Saffron Walden, Essex, during World War II, 22nd October 1939. Nearly 1,000 parents attended the reunion party, hosted by the Mayor of the town.
26. A Pianist Plays For Peace Following The Paris Attacks
LOIC VENANCE via Getty Images
German Pianist Davide Martello, also known as Klavierkunst, plays piano as people gather after observing a minute of silence to pay tribute to victims of the attacks claimed by Islamic State, on November 16, 2015.
27. Kids At A Salvation Army In Washington, D.C., Bombard Washington Redskins Player With Hugs
The Washington Post via Getty Images
Redskins Robert Griffin III, center, gets hugs from the children at The Salvation Army in Anacostia. On Wednesday, July 8, 2015, JetBlues Soar with Reading program unveiled its first-of-its-kind book vending machines throughout SE in DC.
28. A Man Shows His Love For Life At A Laughter Therapy Session In Venezuela
Ariana Cubillos/ASSOCIATED PRESS
A man laughs during a session of laugher therapy in a public plaza in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, July 9, 2013. People attended the open session of laughter therapy with Venezuelan laughter therapist Menahem Belilty, who says that laughter has the healing powers to lift ones mood, enhance well-being and emotional balance, and in most cases helps one to overcome their problems.
29. An Interfaith Community Shows Love And Support Following The San Bernardino Shooting
Jae C. Hong/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Khadija Zadeh, left, and Noora Siddiqui stand next to signs while listening to a speech during an interfaith memorial service at the Islamic Community Center of Redlands, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in Loma Linda, Calif. The memorial service was held to honor the victims of Wednesday’s shooting rampage that killed 14 people in San Bernardino, Calif.
30. A Homeless Man In Washington, D.C. Comes Across An Important Reminder
Brian Snyder/Pool via Getty Images
Perry White, who is homeless, reads a paper ahead of a visit by Pope Francis to a lunch for the homeless in Washington, D.C.
Photos that will restore your faith in Humanity
From the photographer: “I was so impressed when I saw these ladies in a very small and poor village near Pindaya, Myanmar. They were working very hard on a construction plot next to a Buddhist temple, where I spent a night on a hike. As an occasional traveler, I would say that their happy faces makes me feel that laughter binds all men together. When we are far from our home, among people who speak another language, and we feel like strangers, laughter makes us feel that we belong to the same humanity.”
— Photo by call_me_Dave/EyeEm
call_me_Dave/EyeEm
From the photographer: “I was so impressed when I saw these ladies in a very small and poor village near Pindaya, Myanmar. They were working very hard on a construction plot next to a Buddhist temple, where I spent a night on a hike. As an occasional traveler, I would say that their happy faces makes me feel that laughter binds all men together. When we are far from our home, among people who speak another language, and we feel like strangers, laughter makes us feel that we belong to the same humanity.”
— Photo by call_me_Dave/EyeEm
call_me_Dave/EyeEm
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From the photographer: “Separated by space and sometimes time, my girlfriend and her mom still have a bond and a closeness that is always there. I was lucky to capture the manifestation of this on camera on a hill near Elverum, Norway, where we enjoyed the view and the super fresh air. This picture is comforting to me, as my family and I also live on different continents. It always makes me smile and feel better about the world.”
— Photo by larsbaek/EyeEm
larsbaek/EyeEm
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From the photographer: “In the light of current scandals in worldwide football and the refugee crisis, I was pleased to hear that my hometown’s football club, Fortuna Düsseldorf, invited some kids who recently migrated from war-torn countries and countries with poor living conditions to participate in their practice. I am currently working on a series about positive issues with regard to migrants. The sudden influx of several hundred thousand refugees has politically polarized Germany. I want to change that through photography, knowing that every smile on a child’s face might encourage people to continue helping and to shake off their fear against strangers, and thereby contribute to restoring their faith in humanity.”
— Photo by NathanGoldenzweig/EyeEm
NathanGoldenzweig/EyeEm
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From the photographer: “Humans are not the only living creatures who need to be loved and cared for. Our planet is home, not only for humans, but for all the living things around us. Humanity does not only concentrate on humans alone, but it also means loving our living neighbors and our environment.”
— Photo by FroiRivera/EyeEm
FroiRivera/EyeEm
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From the photographer: “At their favorite band’s live performance, the boy asked the girl, ‘Will you marry me?’ The girl jumped into his arms, and said ‘Yes!’ They are dressed in uniform, just like soldiers who fight for love.”
— Photo by aiye/EyeEm
aiye/EyeEm.
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From the photographer: “In our world, most people think our faith should come from great [things] but I think sometimes faith is restored in some simple and pure things, like children. We should learn to be pure and simple from children — to love each other, help each other, laugh simply.”
— Photo by zorrolang/EyeEm
zorrolang/EyeEm.
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From the photographer: “I took this photo in a demonstration that took place in Brussels on Sept. 27. The demonstration was to give a warm welcome to all the refugees from Syria, Iraq and other countries that are in Brussels to escape from war or from the dangers of these countries. During the demonstration I could see how some of the people from Belgium — although they have their own problems — showed their unconditional support to the refugees. It inspired me, and I realized that beyond the borders, there are only people who want to live in peace, and there are a lot of people ready to help them.”
— Photo by DannielC/EyeEm
DannielC/EyeEm.
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From the photographer: “I think this photo restored my faith in humanity because it’s a place where there is a lack of electricity, lack of technology, but it’s being enjoyed by the kids in this photo. If I have to see any day like this I won’t be depressed because I have seen these kids happy in those conditions.”
— Photo by adipatel/EyeEm
Photo by adipatel/EyeEm
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From the photographer: “The moment of happiness is one of the best things — you realize how happy your life is, and sometimes you need to scream it out loud to be heard by others.”
— Photo by katzz94/EyeEm
katzz94/EyeEm.
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From the photographer: “I started documenting people’s everyday life, trying to grasp the authentic essence of humans and humanity through images. For me, photography is a means of expression, a vehicle for messages that often cannot be verbally pronounced. This photo was taken in Calabria, Italy.”
— Photo by helencarosi/EyeEm
helencarosi/EyeEm.
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From the photographer: “This shot was taken at an initiation baseball [game] given by volunteers on a Wednesday afternoon in Antwerp, Belgium. Giving up free time for child welfare and seeing kids having a good time doing sports and not watching screens as so often happens today, restores my faith in humanity despite all the misery in this world happening these days.”
— Photo by WillemDouven/EyeEm
Photo by WillemDouven/EyeEm.
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From the photographer: “The photo was taken during a wedding, but the singer’s attitude caught my whole attention. He was so happy like it was his wedding! Happiness and love is what will save us from becoming ignorant. The fact that people like this guy here exist, gives us hope that humanity is not lost!”
–Photo by dantes1401/EyeEm
dantes1401/EyeEm
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From the photographer: “I am an amateur photographer who loves people, each with their singularities and dreams. What restores my faith in humanity is the fact that each person has an incredible power to perform and do good. And no one was born to be lonely and empty.”
— Photo by Jeffeico0607/EyeEm
Jeffeico0607/EyeEm
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From the photographer: “As long as people wake up with a smile, that will save their soul.”
Photo by ClaudiaGiumilost/EyeEm
ClaudiaGiumilost/EyeEm
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