My friend Elena, 9 months pregnant
I am often impressed by Elena’s empathy. Somehow, she always knows the right things to say to me when I’m having a hard time. This baby is already a very lucky one growing up with such a smart and loving mother.
Three years ago, I started working at a school in Neukölln. Mainly because the money I earned from photography wasn’t enough and because I wanted to do something social and not just focus on my photographic work. What started as a temporary solution has become a beautiful long-lasting condition.
I feel like society tells us that we should put all our energy into one profession and strive to become as successful as possible in it. But I’m realising more and more that it suits my nature much better to do something different every day. When I’m at school, I feel like taking photos again, when I’m taking photos, I feel like going to school again. And it is such a pleasure to listen to and learn from these small human beings. Portraying them while talking about friendship and their last days at primary school was so special and one of my favorite shoots this year.
A portrait of Malaika and Ezra. Taking this photo was such a special full circle moment where everything felt right and fell into place. Couldn’t think of a more beautiful image to pause the process of my Mothers and Daughters project with.
