Classical Stories From WSMR

"The Soldier's Lens" is on at Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

Classical WSMR | By Susan Giles Wantuck

Published November 8, 2025 at 8:37 PM EST

A soldier with a dirty face looks toward the camera. He is flanked by canteens and has a helmet on. He is wearing an ammunition belt around his neck and holds it in his hands on both sides. He looks weary and is dressed in camouflage fatigues. — A soldier with a dirty face looks toward the camera. He is flanked by canteens and has a helmet on, he is wearing an ammunition belt around his neck and holds it in his hands on both sides. He looks weary and is dressed in camouflage fatigues.

Hundreds of images are on display from active-duty military, their families and others. And there's a special gallery walk on Veterans Day.

If you’re looking for insight into military life on Veterans Day, look no further than “The Soldier’s Lens” at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Tampa’s Ybor City.

The exhibit features images from active-duty personnel, veterans and their families, as well as military photographers.

The museum put out a call for photographs and received an overwhelming response.

The images document decades of military service, from World War II, Korea and Vietnam to more contemporary conflicts, like those in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The purpose of the exhibit is twofold: to help civilians understand what life is like for those who wear the uniform and their families and to support important veterans' causes.

Four soldiers stand together in Vietnam, three are wearing military fatigues, the other is shirtless with red Bermuda shorts

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, at 1630 E. Seventh Ave., is open on Veterans Day (Tuesday) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “The Soldier’s Lens” runs through Jan. 26.

However, a special gallery walk from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Veterans Day will include an opportunity for visitors to engage with the artists.

Check out the museum website for details.