The title already reveals it: I have captured people I admire for their courage in visually expressing their identity. I met them within the queer club culture in both Germany and the Netherlands. My subject is the self-expression I found among people in this scene. Through a series of portraits, I highlight the strength, extravagance, and beauty of the individuals I photographed. With this publication, I pay tribute to these individuals who, in the darkness of the night and within a self-created, safe space, dare to shape a temporary extension of their identity.
I invited people I admire to collaborate with me, photographing them against a white background with a bright flash—mimicking sunlight—to create a stark contrast with the nighttime environment. In the publication, which I co-designed with designer Christian Sterk, viewers will find not only the portraits but also written texts and archival photos of the individuals I portrayed. The diversity of shared information is vast, reflecting the vulnerability of the people within this community—my community. In addition to the submitted texts, the publication also includes handwritten notes by me.
Due to the prohibition of cameras, there is little physical evidence of the existence of this nightlife. With this project, I hope to make a part of it visible to a wider audience and celebrate the people who are part o
