Photographer Completed Project on Gun Violence Impact
The 13-year project highlights the personal toll of school shootings on students, teachers, and parents.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Secondary Education
Photographer Kathy Shorr has completed her 13-year photography trilogy documenting the effects of gun violence on the American school community. The project features portraits of survivors from elementary schools, high schools, and universities across the country.
Why it matters
Participants take part in the project to help others avoid the lasting pain they have endured after gun violence. The work provides a visual record of the impact of school shootings on families and local educational institutions.
The trilogy includes 300 survivors photographed over 13 years. The project encompasses diverse institutions including Oxford High School, Apalachee High School, and Michigan State University.
The players
Kathy Shorr
A photographer who spent 13 years creating a trilogy of projects documenting the survivors of gun violence in America.
The details
Participants chose their own portrait locations, selecting sites that hold deep personal significance to their experiences. The project spans multiple settings, from elementary schools like Robb Elementary to universities, capturing the breadth of gun violence impacts.
Timeline
2013-2025: Shorr created the project SHOT: 101 Survivors.
2021-2023: Shorr created the project SHOT: We the Mothers.
October 2026: The project SHOT: We the School Community was completed.
The Home Front
This photography project adds a human-centered record to the broader societal landscape of school safety and the long-term recovery of affected educational communities. It highlights the lasting influence of trauma on families across the country.
Families interested in the project can review the portraits to understand the shared experiences of survivors in various school communities. It serves as a reminder to prioritize the emotional and mental well-being of students within your own household.
The takeaway
The project serves as a comprehensive visual archive of the lived experience of survivors of school-based gun violence. Families can support healing by fostering open conversations about school safety and emotional health at home.
Further reading
For more on the challenges facing students and families today, see our Secondary Education resources.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PetaPixel.
