Emilio Morenatti, 55, is the AP’s chief photographer for Spain and Portugal, renowned for his powerful and empathetic visual storytelling. Having lost a leg in Afghanistan in 2009, his personal journey has hugely influenced his approach to his art form.

He describes his work covering this year's Paralympics as deeply fulfilling: “When I’m covering the Paralympics, I feel I get a lot back from the athletes. What you see is a lot of energy. Athletes are pushing themselves to the maximum.”

Emilio’s disability has also fostered a deep connection with the athletes he covers. He reflects, “My own disability helps break barriers. When the athletes see my prosthetic, they know that like them I had to overcome some obstacles in my career, and that creates a connection between us.”

With his work, he hopes to capture the beauty and complexity of the disabled body with respect and sensitivity: “I try to make beautiful photos of a disabled body. My aim is to capture the part of the body that is not there anymore, an absence that needs to be accepted.”

Here are a few of his standout shots from this year’s Paralympic Games:

Gus Jinchena, of China, practices the start of the race during a warm up session ahead of a competition, during the 2024 Paralympics, Tuesday, 3 September 2024Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
Gus Jinchena, of China, jumps into the pool, during a warm up session ahead of a competition, during the 2024 Paralympics, Tuesday, 3 September 2024, in Paris, France.Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
Sevilay Ozturk, of Turkey, adjusts her glasses during a warm up ahead of the competition, during the 2024 Paralympics, Tuesday, 3 September 2024Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
B Hatz, of USA, competes at Women's Long Jump -T64 final at the Stade de France stadium, during the 2024 Paralympics, Saturday, 31 August 2024Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
Paralympic athlete Gabriel Araujo, of Brasil, celebrates after winning at men's 200 m Freestyle -S2 final, during the 2024 Paralympics, Monday, 2 September 2024Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
Paralympic athlete Gabriel Araujo, of Brasil, celebrates after winning at men's 200 m Freestyle -S2 final, during the 2024 Paralympics, Monday, 2 September 2024Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
Paralympic athlete Arjola Dedaj, of Italy, competes at Women's Long Jump -T11, at the Stade de France stadium, during the 2024 Paralympics, Friday, 30 August 2024Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
Paralympic athlete Fabian Blum, of Switzerland, competes at Men's 400m - T52 round 1, at the Stade de France stadium, during the 2024 Paralympics, Friday, 30 August 2024Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
Katie Pegg, of Canada, competes at Women's Shot Put -46 Final, at the Stade de France stadium, during the 2024 Paralympics, Wednesday, 4 September in Paris, France.Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
Aleksandr Iaremchuk, of NPA, celebrates after winning at Men's 1500m - T46 final at the Stade de France stadium, during the 2024 Paralympics, Saturday, 31 August 2024Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
Camila Muller, of Brasil, competes at Women's 1500 -T11 at the Stade de France stadium, during the 2024 Paralympics, Sunday, 1 September 2024, in Paris, France. Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
Jiamin Zhang, of China, competes at Women's Shot Put -46 Final, at the Stade de France stadium, during the 2024 Paralympics, Wednesday, 4 September 2024Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP
Medina Meneses, of Colombia, competes at Men's Javelin Throw F34 Final at the Stade de France stadium, during the 2024 Paralympics, Wednesday, 4 September 2024Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP

The Paralympic Games Paris 2024 took place from 28 August to 8 September.

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