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Veteran Vision shows dual lives of those who served


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October 27, 2015

It’s no simple thing to transition back to civilian life from the military. 

Life at home can seem so far removed from the realities of serving in the armed forces — and yet, neither area is untouched by the other.

Reflecting this layered existence is the work of Arizona State University online student Devin Mitchell.

For his Veteran Vision Project, Mitchell photographs two images of veterans — one, in uniform, reflected in a mirror; the other, how they choose to portray themselves beyond their military identity — and merges them into one photograph, shot in the subject’s home.

Mitchell, a sociology student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, strives to provide veterans a voice about their lives. He recently traveled from his home in Los Angeles to photograph a number of ASU veterans; those photos will be displayed on all four campuses as part of the university’s Salute to Service.

Watch him at work in the video below, and then scroll down to explore the photos he produced after his ASU visit in September.

We’ve included condensed captions with Mitchell's photos; to read the full-length story that goes with each, visit his Veteran Vision Project Facebook page.

Mitchell’s ASU photographs will be on display during Salute to Service at all four campuses:

  • Downtown Phoenix: 2-4 p.m. Oct. 28 (Student Center at the Post Office). Mitchell will speak at 3 p.m.
  • Polytechnic: Nov. 2-6 (Student Union)
  • Tempe: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 29 (Tailgate at Old Main), Nov. 2-6 (Student Services Building)
  • West: 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 3 (University Center Building), 3-5 p.m. Nov. 4 (Changemaker Central). Mitchell will speak at 3 p.m.

Find more about the project at veteranvisionproject.com.