With his art, photographer Platon seeks to strip away assumptions and leave viewers with a window into his subject's character, filling our eyes with wonder and curiosity. Sharing extraordinary stories of what it's like to photograph some of the world's most prominent figures -- from Michelle Obama and Pussy Riot to Vladimir Putin and Muhammad Ali -- Platon captures the disarming power of empathy and human connection.

 Platon: Stories of photographing monumental people -- from Michelle Obama to Stephen Hawking

Stories of photographing monumental people -- from Michelle Obama to Stephen Hawking

Empathy transcends cultural and political divides, fostering human connections that build bridges across global tribalism.

Pussy Riot's ordeal illustrates the high price of speaking truth to power, emphasizing the need for courage in activism.

Empathy transcends tribalism and tech, unlocking human connections and cultural moments, from White House portraits to global protests.