honorable mention
Susanne Middelberg netherlands
Photo © Susanne Middelberg
title
thuis
People who show themselves vulnerable give the other the confidence that they themselves may be who they are.
The vulnerability that I see in people I want to show in my photos.
portraits, which explore themes of vulnerability and human complexity. After initially studying
modern dance at the Higher School for Arts in Arnhem, she transitioned into photography,
graduating in 1998 from the Academy for Visual Arts. Middelberg has since established a career as
a freelance photographer, specializing in portrait and theater-dance photography. Her work often
captures the dualities within people—strength and fragility—and she believes that showing
vulnerability in her subjects fosters connection and understanding.
Middelberg's photographic style is described as "intense, honest, and picturesque," and she is
particularly inspired by the human condition. Her approach focuses on revealing the layers of
personality in her subjects, aiming to touch viewers through this emotional depth. She has received
numerous awards for her work, including prizes from The Canon Master, the Monochrome Awards
and the Px3 Prix de la Photographie Paris.
In addition to her portraits, Middelberg has been commissioned for various projects, including work
for theater posters. She has exhibited her work in galleries across the Netherlands and
internationally, including in New York and Boston. Her projects have earned her a solid reputation
in the photography world, winning accolades like the MUSE Photography Awards for her
"Daylight" series, where she emphasized natural light and raw emotion to portray her subjects.
Middelberg cites Jan Saudek, Stephan Vanfleteren, and Richard Learoyd as major influences on her
work. Her philosophy as a photographer is to remain authentic and continuously learn from others.
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entry description
Without attachment we cannot experience love. And for that you need to be able to be vulnerable.People who show themselves vulnerable give the other the confidence that they themselves may be who they are.
The vulnerability that I see in people I want to show in my photos.
about the photographer
Susanne Middelberg is a German photographer known for her powerful and emotionally richportraits, which explore themes of vulnerability and human complexity. After initially studying
modern dance at the Higher School for Arts in Arnhem, she transitioned into photography,
graduating in 1998 from the Academy for Visual Arts. Middelberg has since established a career as
a freelance photographer, specializing in portrait and theater-dance photography. Her work often
captures the dualities within people—strength and fragility—and she believes that showing
vulnerability in her subjects fosters connection and understanding.
Middelberg's photographic style is described as "intense, honest, and picturesque," and she is
particularly inspired by the human condition. Her approach focuses on revealing the layers of
personality in her subjects, aiming to touch viewers through this emotional depth. She has received
numerous awards for her work, including prizes from The Canon Master, the Monochrome Awards
and the Px3 Prix de la Photographie Paris.
In addition to her portraits, Middelberg has been commissioned for various projects, including work
for theater posters. She has exhibited her work in galleries across the Netherlands and
internationally, including in New York and Boston. Her projects have earned her a solid reputation
in the photography world, winning accolades like the MUSE Photography Awards for her
"Daylight" series, where she emphasized natural light and raw emotion to portray her subjects.
Middelberg cites Jan Saudek, Stephan Vanfleteren, and Richard Learoyd as major influences on her
work. Her philosophy as a photographer is to remain authentic and continuously learn from others.
back to gallery
