A motivations for going back to humanity
When we think of migration, we often think in numbers or headlines. But behind every statistic is a single, complicated, and utterly human story. That belief is what fueled the creation of this book, DRIJFVEREN.
Over the past year, I had the privilege of sitting down with, listening to, and photographing fifty individuals from dozens of different countries—all now building a new life here in a new country.
This project was intensely personal for me. The photoshoots and deep conversations took place while I was enduring my own asylum procedure, anxiously waiting for my family to complete their dangerous crossing from Syria to Lebanon to reach the Dutch embassy in Beirut for their visas. Talking with these individuals about their struggles and triumphs not only added invaluable depth to my knowledge but, more importantly, softened the immense suffering and anxiety I felt during that time. New comers or natives, doesn't mattaer, all have their ups and downs. This book became a profound collection of shared sagas.
It is about the courage it takes to leave everything behind, the tenacity required to build a new identity, and the simple, beautiful moment when a stranger finally feels like they belong. Each portrait, paired with their personal story, is a testament to human resilience and hope—a hope I came to share.
A project of this scale simply would not have been possible without incredible support. First and foremost, I must express my deepest gratitude to MOTOPP for providing the funding and belief necessary to execute this vision, for giving the opportunity to step behind the lens and bring these essential narratives to life.
The artistic part of the book was in collaboration with Jimmy Nelson, a photographer with passion, knowledge and experience, but the most important is bieng a human. His participation shaped part of the soul of this work. I am honored to have had his guidance.
This book is dedicated to the fifty people who trusted me with their most vulnerable moments. I invite you through this book to step into their lives, to look deeply into their eyes, and to truly see the powerful story that lives within every single one of us who dares to seek a new beginning.
