Ben Brody photographs and papers, 2003-2024

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Summary

Creator:
Brody, Ben
Abstract:
Ben Brody (born 1979) is a photojournalist, photo editor, and educator based in Massachusetts. Between 2003-2008, Brody served in the United States military stationed in Iraq, and between 2010-2015, was a civilian photographer in Afghanistan, documenting the "Global War on Terror." Afterwards, he published his photography in Attention Servicemember (2019), Can We Get a War Thread Going? (2016), Endgame Afghanistan (2017), and 300M (2022). The collection includes 130 photographic prints of varying sizes and mostly in color, in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in the United States, with accompanying location, date, signature, and caption or longer narrative description by Brody. Images depict military members from the United States, Afghanistan, and Iraq, and occasionally civilians; military activity and leisure; military outposts and local towns; and time in the United States, particularly in Massachusetts. Accompanying the prints are Brody's published works, book dummies, and design iterations; collected military manuals, visual guides, country handbooks, and Brody's personal military documents; and other assorted materials. Acquired as part of the Archive of Documentary Arts.
Extent:
5 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials mostly in English with a small number of items in Arabic.
Research Center:
Archive of Documentary Arts
Collection ID:
RL.13180

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains materials related to Brody's service in Iraq and photojournalism work in Afghanistan between 2003-2024. It includes 130 prints of varying sizes, mostly in color with some in black-and white. Each image includes a caption or longer description written by Brody, his signature, and date of the photo. Some prints include only brief captions such as a name, date, and location, but others include a reflection or more narrative description of Brody's experiences. Most photographs depict members of the militaries from the United States, Afghanistan, and Iraq, but occasionally civilians from these countries; soldiers undertaking raids and other forms of work as well as leisure activities and celebrations; military outposts, bases, and local towns; and time in the United States, particularly in Massachusetts. Some images depict injuries. The papers portion of the collection feature Brody's published work such as Attention Servicemember; Can We Get a War Thread Going?; 300M; the zine, I've Killed Before Have You? and artist book for Brody's MFA program. Accompanying materials include several maquettes or book dummies; drafts and design iterations; collected military manuals, visual guides, country handbooks, Brody's own military documents that relate to his time in Iraq and Afghanistan, ephemera; and other assorted materials.

Biographical / historical:

Ben Brody (born 1979) is a photojournalist, photo editor, and educator based in Massachusetts. Between 2003-2008, Brody served in the United States military stationed in Iraq, and between 2010-2015, was a civilian photographer in Afghanistan, documenting the "Global War on Terror," an initiative led by the United States involving military, diplomatic, financial, and other actions to address terrorism after the September 11, 2001 attacks. While in Iraq and Afghanistan, he documented a wide spectrum of military life and activities, civilians, and personal experience. Afterwards Brody published his photography in several artist books and a catalog including Attention Servicemember first published in 2019, Can We Get a War Thread Going? (2016), Endgame Afghanistan (2017), and most recently, 300M (2022).

In 2017, Brody obtained his MFA from the Hartford Art School. His photography has won numerous awards and has been showcased in solo and group exhibitions within the United States and globally. Currently, Brody is the Director of Photography at Report for America, and the co-founder of Mass Books, a publishing company.

Sources: "About," Ben Brody website, About--Ben Brody, accessed January 16, 2026

Acquisition information:
The Ben Brody photographs and papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase and gift in 2025.
Processing information:

Titles for physical prints are derived from longer descriptions provided by Ben Brody.

Processed by Tere Elizalde, January 2026

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2025-0137

Arrangement:

Arranged in two series: Prints; Papers.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.

Subjects:
War photography
Photojournalists -- United States
War on Terrorism, 2001-2009
Iraq War, 2003-2011
Afghan War, 2001-2021
Format:
Inkjet prints
Photobooks
war photography
Names:
Archive of Documentary Arts (Duke University)
United States. Army -- Military life
Brody, Ben
Places:
Afghanistan
Iraq
Massachusetts

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ben Brody photographs and papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

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https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1vx6m