Ethnographic portraiture forms the core visual strategy of Before They Pass Away, capturing the diverse appearances and cultural artifacts of indigenous peoples. Jimmy Nelson’s photographs emphasize the dignity and distinctiveness of these groups, presenting each subject with a staged presence that foregrounds traditional clothing, body decorations, and environment.

The book offers a detailed survey across numerous indigenous communities, presenting them in large-scale, meticulously composed color photographs. The volume covers many locations and cultures, aiming to document these groups before further cultural change or disappearance. The tone is solemn and reverent, highlighting the urgency and fragility of their ways of life.

With 408 pages, the extensive visual record reflects Nelson’s methodical fieldwork and deliberate styling, creating an archival yet artistic testament to human diversity as captured in 2013.