Photographer making waves to document veterans charity

A veteran from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars has used photography to
document a surf charity working to help ex-soldiers who have returned from
conflict.
Byron Kirk served with the Household Cavalry Regiment from 2003 to 2011.
When he left the Army, he was shocked by the negativity shown towards him
and other veterans reintegrating into civilian life and the misconceptions
surrounding mental health issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
An aspiring photographer, Byron began a degree at Nottingham Trent University
in 2011, having already had images taken during his time in Afghanistan
included in an exhibition at the Imperial War Museum that year.
He decided to embark on a project for his Photography course which would allow
him to contradict the stereotypes of troubled veterans he had encountered.
I lived with another veteran who suffered from PTSD and several other mental
health disorders, said Byron, 28, of Long Eaton. The more I spoke to him I
realised that if anything, his mental health disorders were nothing to do with
what he had seen in war, they were more to do with the fact he missed his
mates and he felt he had lost is function.
Byron, who had already paid for a camera through crowdfunding on the internet,
turned once again to social media in search of an organisation which was helping
veterans to understand their identity. When he was told about the Surf Action
charity in Cornwall, which brings together military veterans affected by PTSD
and physical injuries to enjoy surfing, he felt he had found the right subject for
his photo-documentary project.
He made several trips to Cornwall and spent weeks at a time living with the
veterans and travelling with them to document their surf trips and meetings.

His subsequent catalogue of photos, called Surf Action: The Wanderers between
two Worlds, is a first person account of the surfers, taken as Byron saw and
understood them.
It starts with passport images of the soldiers taken by the military when they
signed up most at the age of 16.
Its about identity, said Byron. These passport images are the last image
taken of them before they joined the military. That same image and a number is
used for all identification purposes it is what you are reduced to as a soldier.
His photo-documentary shows how the charity has helped its members to find
their identities and purposes again once leaving the military.
One guy I met used to be a lifeguard before he joined the military, explained
Byron. When he joined Surf Action, he started to grow his hair long again and
refused to wear shoes he would go everywhere barefoot and he didnt care.
The photographs will be shown at the Free Range Festival at the Old
Truman Brewery in London from June 20, along with work by other
graduating photography students from Nottingham Trent University.
They include black and white images of the veterans preparing to hit the waves
and of contemplative portraits. Byron also took photographs of paintings done
by some of the members revealing their inner thoughts. The catalogue ends with
a positive, hopeful painting by one of the surfers showing a fist punching up
through the waves with the words When you walk on the sea, have no fear. We
will be there for you, when you sink beneath the waves.
Byron explained: I wanted to show that because thats what I saw during my
time with Surf Action, I saw how the charity helped people. It helped because it
brought guys together to share a new passion and have new shared experiences,
unrelated to the war, to talk about.
Byron is now hoping to self-publish a book of his photographs through
crowdfunding and to embark on a career in photography.
Surf Action founder and director Rich Emerson said: Surf Action was delighted
to accommodate Byron and his project on the work of our charity. His integrity
and passion with the veterans was carried out with amazing care and
professionalism. The awareness of issues surrounding post -military life for the
individual and the families has such importance in future personnel who have yet

to make that journey. We are very impressed with the angle Byron has taken in
showcasing those who have served our country and the difficulties they face
once the uniform is handed back.
Max Kandhola, course leader for the Ba(Hons) Photography degree at
Nottingham Trent University, said: There is a considered sensitivity that Bryon
has photographed that allows objectivity and humility. As a soldier based in
Afghanistan his personal knowledge and experience at the front line of war
allows him to enter the private and sensitive world of the veteran with dignity.
This passage from the war zone to home is most often not represented or it is
misrepresented; here we view photographs of individuals, a community
integrating back into their life.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
Work by selected graduating Nottingham Trent University photography
students will be on display at the Free Range Festival, Old Truman
Brewery, London, between June 20 and 23.
More information about Byron Kirks work is available at
www.byronkirk.com
Surf Action is a charity dedicated to supporting military veterans
(including TA and reservists) and their families, especially those affected
by PTSD and physical injuries or struggling to re-adjust to civilian life.
More information is available at www.surfaction.co.uk.

Press enquiries please contact: Kirsty Green, Press Officer, on Tel: 0115 848
8785, or via email: kirsty.green@ntu.ac.uk.