Photojournalism nominee

At 2 a.m., I met with Andreas, who was preparing for his big performance at the CSD in Hamburg. He is a drag queen, and his character is called Shiraw Lavuu. I was allowed to photographically accompany him for 5 hours and witness how much this art form is hated. Andreas has no intention of wanting to be a woman. He wants to play one, like a character in a movie. Yet his performances are often met with insults, hate, and mockery. On top of that, the overwhelming majority of hateful comments are directed at the idea of being a woman itself. He is accused of wanting to portray a woman, as if there were something inferior about being one, as if no man had the right to do so. The image of a woman in our society is still associated with weakness and inferiority. Andreas is proud to be able to portray a woman—strong, courageous, and self-determined. A moving report that goes beyond the subject of drag queens.

An internationally renowned animal photographer, born in Poland and currently residing in northern Germany, dedicates her resources and passion to capturing the beauty of animals in captivity. Despite losing her money, time, and heart to this endeavor, her goal remains steadfast: to reveal the wild and resilient spirit of each creature enlisted to serve humanity, showcasing their true essence amidst a world dominated by human regulations.

2018 – Final Top 7 Photo+Adventure Duisburg /Germany
2021 – Final Top 20 – Nikon Female Facets
2022 – ND Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2023 - Fine Art Photography Awards – Nomination in Wildlife / Animals
2023 - ND Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2024 - ND Photography Awards – Honorable Mention