Nayyef & Btoo

A breathtaking story of love found against all odds. In the heart of war-torn Iraq in 2004, Nayyef, a young art school graduate, joined the U.S. Marines as an interpreter. Amid the chaos of Ramadi, he meets Btoo-a young Iraqi soldier. In a country where being gay is punishable by death, the two men found themselves drawn to each other in a bond so powerful it defies the violence and fear surrounding them. As the war grew deadlier, Nayyef was granted asylum in the U.S. in 2009, where he started a new life in Seattle, filled with the hope of reuniting with Btoo so they can finally live the life they deserve together. The photos I took of them in their beautiful home offer a glimpse into their love's triumph—a powerful testament to their courage, resilience, and the life they fought so hard to share.