One part of the expo IMMENSE will be on display at Beamstreet Studio. THE FAMILY QUESTION / KINDERWENS.

What is a family? What does it mean to you? How do you cope with loss? Could it be discussed more openly? Because "having a baby" unfortunately sounds simpler than it is. Sometimes it goes smoothly, sometimes by accident, and sometimes it doesn't work out or goes wrong. Even choosing not to have children isn't a decision that's made overnight. Fifty-five women, of all shapes, sizes, and ages, are gathered and divided into "everything goes smoothly" and "complex stories." Women who didn’t experience any difficulties conceiving or during pregnancy are dressed in green, those who did are dressed in red. However, I let them choose the color they preferred to identify with. For example, two women had already changed their color by the time I captured their portraits.

The image demonstrates it: for 1 in 3 people, wanting to have children is a complex journey. Fertility issues largely occur behind closed doors. After all, there's no bulging belly to reveal anything. Additionally, a "family portrait" was taken of each woman, allowing the context to be shown without too many words. What or who, in what form, is her family?

I remember a moment during the shoot where all the women, each with their own different stories, stood facing the same spot. The moment I asked them across the water to look at me, I felt an energy through the lens that gave me goosebumps. Afterwards, I heard that everyone felt this, this energy, this connection. This is why I'm a photographer; I'll never forget this image, and it begs for more. A podcast is in the making, and I'll continue photographing up to 100 families.

Fri. 13 March 6pm - 9pm
Sat. 14 March 2pm - 5 pm
Sun. 15 March 10am - 1 pm
Sun. 15 March 2pm - 5pm : Only for participants