#190 World Press Photo winner Maria Abranches on colonial scars, female strength, and photography as activism
In this episode of Donkere Kamer, I speak with Maria Abranches, a Portuguese documentary photographer and World Press Photo winner, whose work shines a light on the invisible, often overlooked lives of domestic workers in post-colonial Portugal.Originally trained as an architect, Maria left the stability of that profession to pursue storytelling through photography. Her award-winning project Maria tells the story of a woman trafficked from Angola at the age of nine – a story rooted in Portugal’s colonial history and still painfully relevant today.We talk about what it means to tell someone else's story with care and integrity, how photography can challenge power structures, and why Maria still photographs weddings to fund her independent work. We also explore identity, visual language, trust, and how to build a meaningful career on your own terms.This is a conversation about courage, contradiction, and the transformative potential of long-term, intimate documentary work.🌿 Want to grow your own voice and vision this summer?Join The Daily Frame – a 20-day mini podcast series packed with insights on creativity, entrepreneurship, mindset, and the shifting photo industry.🎧 One short episode a day throughout August. €8.88. Small investment, real transformation.aria_abranches
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#189 ENG From doing to feeling: why creative pauses aren't a luxury
Welcome to this new episode, recorded right here in the south of France — with a coffee beside me, the hum of the air conditioning in the background, and a mind full of reflections.I’ve been walking through old streets, galleries, and churches filled with photography. I’ve talked to photographers from all walks of life — award-winners and those just starting out — and one thing keeps coming up: The feeling of doing, producing, posting... without pausing.This summer, I’m realizing something important:A creative pause isn’t a luxury. It’s essential. Not to stop everything. Not to burn it all down. But to feel again what’s true. What do you really want? Where are you going — and is it still your path?In today’s episode, I’m inviting you into that space. A moment of stillness. A little truth. And a big shift — even if it’s quiet.I’ll also tell you more about The Daily Frame, a new daily podcast series starting in August, designed to help you reconnect with your clarity and creative voice — one small thought at a time.So if you’ve been feeling off, unsure, or just tired of the pressure to keep going...This episode is for you.website of De Donkere Kamer: www.donkerekamer.comthe daily frame: register here until August 1st. mentorship: donkerekamer.com/mentorfill in the questionnaire here if you are interested
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#188 ENG Clément Cheroux on Curating, Archives, and the Art of Looking
In this inspiring episode of De Donkere Kamer Podcast, I speak with Clément Cheroux — one of the most respected photography historians and curators of our time. Formerly chief curator at MoMA in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Clément now leads the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson.We explore the unique role of the curator as a bridge between the artist and the audience, and why archives are far more than historical records — they are living sources of creative insight. Clément reflects on his decades-long relationship with photography, his obsessive image-viewing practice, and how he helps shape narratives around iconic and emerging photographers alike.This is a thoughtful conversation about trust, creative responsibility, and why — even in a world flooded with images — the act of truly looking still matters.Are you ready to use your summer with intention and elevate your practice as a photographer?Starting August 1st, I’m launching The Daily Frame — a 20-part mini podcast series (10 minutes a day) that dives into four pillars essential to your growth: creativity, entrepreneurship, mindset, and what's shifting in the photo industry.For just €8.88, you’ll receive daily audio boosts that are short, sharp, and transformative.Why a small fee? Because what you pay attention to, transforms. This isn’t background noise — it’s a daily commitment to your evolution.We begin on August 1st — registration closes at 9:00 AM CET that morning.Here's the link to join.website van De Donkere Kamer: www.donkerekamer.combesloten podcast: donkerekamer.com/secretinstagram: @dedonkerekamer_bewebsite Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson: https://www.henricartierbresson.org/instagram Fondation: @fondationhcb
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#187 NL Jij bént je netwerk: over durven connecteren als creatieve ondernemer
In deze aflevering neem ik je mee op weg naar Arles, het hart van de internationale fotografiewereld, waar het jaarlijkse Les Rencontres d'Arles fotofestival plaatsvindt. Terwijl ik onderweg ben, deel ik mijn visie op een onderwerp waar veel fotografen buikpijn van krijgen: netwerken.Hoe bouw je als fotograaf aan een sterk netwerk, ook als je introvert bent? Hoe maak je oprechte connecties zonder je anders voor te doen dan je bent? En waarom is jouw netwerk misschien wel dé sleutel tot je volgende doorbraak?Je krijgt mijn eerlijke verhaal over hoe ik zelf met netwerken ben gestart, welke strategieën écht werken, én hoe je jouw eigen manier kunt vinden – zonder jezelf te verliezen. Of je nu in documentairefotografie zit of in een commerciële niche werkt: deze aflevering helpt je groeien.Ook vertel ik over mijn zomerproject: The Daily Frame – een summer challenge met dagelijkse korte podcasts om jouw fotopraktijk in augustus een boost te geven.website van De Donkere Kamer: www.donkerekamer.comthe daily frame: schrijf je hier in tot 1 augustus. mentorship: donkerekamer.com/mentorvul hier de vragenlijst in als je interesse hebt!
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#186 NL Social proof werkt – gebruik je het al?
Welkom bij deze nieuwe aflevering van de podcast voor fotografen en creatieve ondernemers die willen groeien – op hun manier, in hun tempo, maar wél met resultaat. Vandaag duiken we in iets wat vaak over het hoofd wordt gezien, maar dat gigantisch veel impact heeft: social proof. Oftewel: reviews, referenties, samenwerkingen en de kracht van échte mensen die iets over jou vertellen. Waarom is dit zo belangrijk, zeker vandaag? En hoe doe je het op een manier die eerlijk, transparant en comfortabel voelt? Je ontdekt het in deze aflevering. Let’s go.📣 En... voel je dat je klaar bent om je fotografiebedrijf écht steviger neer te zetten?Tot en met 14 juli krijg je 300 euro korting op mijn online training Fotografie, Money & Mindset. Gebruik de code SUMMER.Je leert daar hoe je je prijzen bepaalt, verkoopt met zelfvertrouwen, zichtbaar wordt op jouw manier – en ook: hoe je je creatieve werk koppelt aan waarde én inkomen.🔥 Je vindt alle info hier. Wacht niet. Dit is jouw moment.
Welcome to De Donkere Kamer podcast! I'm Kaat Celis and my mission is to support and inspire as many photographers and photo enthusiasts as possible and to make photography a must have in everyone's life. In this podcast I take you into the fascinating world of photography, storytelling & entrepreneurship. And I uncover the stories behind all those images. Whether you are an established photographer or still at the beginning of your career or just crazy about photography? Get inspired and motivated! Come on, I'll take you with me.
Netherlands