9 Photo Stories That You Absolutely Can't Miss

Here are the most interesting and powerful photo essays from across the web.

1. "What Is Aleppo? This Is Aleppo" — The Atlantic

Abdalrhman Ismail / Reuters

"This roundup on Aleppo is sharply critical of the comments made by Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson. The images individually are heartbreaking, and collectively they speak to the frustration of those who have been watching this war worsen over the past four years." —Kate Bubacz, senior photo editor, BuzzFeed News

2. "Abandoned Places: The Worlds We've Left Behind" — The Guardian

Elisabeth Coelfen / Dreamstime

"There’s a certain beauty and serenity in spaces left abandoned by human beings. Places that were once crowded and bustling with life, reduced to crumbling walls and overgrown vegetation — it’s a photographer’s wet dream. Here, The Guardian profiles a new photo book by Kieron Connolly that captures the strange beauty of these sorts of abandoned spots around the world." —Gabriel H. Sanchez, photo essay editor, BuzzFeed News

3. "Barbers of the World" — Creative Boom

Nimai Chandra Ghosh / Photocrowd

"I normally wouldn’t think of photo contests as photo essays, but I was particularly drawn to this one because it wasn’t just another call for submissions for the most amazing landscapes or the craziest wildlife. This time, it’s something almost all human beings around the world can relate to, and one that’s part of our modern culture yet manifested in different ways." —Anna Mendoza, photo editor, BuzzFeed Australia

4. "This Photo Series Gives Teenage Mums the Respect Society Doesn’t" — Refinery29

Raphaela Rosella

"Raphaela Rosella has always championed sensitive issues plaguing the most vulnerable in society in her photographic work, and she delivers yet again in this ongoing series exploring the complexities of teenage motherhood. The photos are tranquil in style and strong in message — far removed from what’s presented to us in mainstream media." —AM

5. "These Beautiful Pictures Aim to Paint a Portrait of Britain" — BuzzFeed

Andrew Shaylor / Courtesy of British Journal of Photography / JC Decaux

"Portrait of Britain is a remarkable nationwide photo exhibition that features 100 Brits from all walks of life, displayed in public areas such as shopping malls, trains, and roadways. Here, BuzzFeed’s Matthew Tucker profiles this exhibition as a brilliant display of England’s diversity and pride." —GHS

6. "One Photographer Portrays Climate Change Differently" — Time

Andrew Williams

"Andrew Williams’ photos avoid the bombast and drama that often categorize coverage of environmental issues, and focus on how the changes to the climate will look to the average citizen — the dried-out yard, the disappearing lake, the encroaching firefighters, the warnings of what may be to come." —KB

7. "In Prison, a Man Decided to Become a Photographer" — The Huffington Post

Donato Di Camillo

"Photography can be therapeutic, and, for photographer Donato Di Camillo, a second chance at normality after serving a prison sentence for a federal crime. While in prison, Di Camillo fell in love with the photojournalism of publications such as National Geographic and Time and took it upon himself after his release to learn the craft. Here, the Huffington Post profiles this artist’s journey through incarceration to self-expression." —GHS

8. "Children Around the World Go Back to School" — ABC News

Artur Lebedev / TASS / Newscom

"It's back-to-school season! ABC’s lighthearted roundup is fun, showing that some things, like excited 7-year-olds and scared new students and stressed-out parents, are universal." —KB

9. "Photos of the Raging Hormones at this Huge Annual Justin Bieber Party" — Vice

Panos Kefalos / Vice

"No, the Biebs wasn’t there, but his music and his face plastered on T-shirts were. His home country was also given proper tribute. This mighty gathering of Beliebers in Greece was merely a celebration of their fandom, and get this: It’s been going on FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. Considering their age, these fellas started young. God, I love teens!" —AM