Very few photographers have the gift of finding beauty within conflict. Photographer Dominic Bracco II believes that it’s important to humanize the individuals involved in violent confrontations. One of his photographs in particular illustrates this principle—a striking image of a murdered man and pregnant woman embracing in a dark vehicle in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The image won him a second place prize in the 2011 POYi competition, bringing him international recognition.

When I met Bracco that year at the National Geographic Photography Seminar, I was struck by his warmth and lightheartedness. I would have never guessed that he was working on such a difficult and bloody story. Since then, I have watched his interests deepen as he has