Portrait nominee

In this series, I wanted to tell a story of childhood marked by journeys, longing, and responsibilities that arrive too early. I used old suitcases, a globe, coins, and simple toys to create a symbolic world where a child becomes both a dreamer and someone forced to carry burdens greater than their age.

I used warm, dramatic light and painterly tones to emphasize the contrast between hope and hardship. Each photograph represents a fragment of a larger narrative: a boy counting coins as if calculating the price of his dreams; holding a globe that fascinates him yet weighs heavily; sitting on suitcases that become a metaphor for travel, migration, and the search for a better place.

This work is also deeply personal. I emigrated myself, leaving my family behind in search of a better life. I had to build everything from zero, and this series echoes that experience. The suitcases symbolize departure, the child reflects both uncertainty and hope, and the light becomes a metaphor for strength—the force that allows us to endure and dream.

Through this series, I aim to capture a universal truth: even in the most difficult moments, we carry resilience and imagination that guide us.

My name is Agnieszka, and I’m a portrait photographer based in the Netherlands. I specialize in emotional, fine-art portraits of children and families—blending storytelling, symbolism, and soft, painterly light. Every session is a chance to tell a unique story and capture a meaningful moment.

In April 2025, I had the pleasure of attending an intensive workshop with Krzysztof and Maria Słowińscy in Obiszów, Poland. The training focused on the fine-art approach to portraiture: building a strong concept, working with stylization, lighting, and advanced post-processing. This experience deeply influenced my artistic direction and helped me refine my visual language.

I continue to develop my skills through constant practice and individual mentoring, working both in studio and on location. I combine technical precision with a sensitive, emotion-driven approach—especially in working with children, where trust, intuition, and authenticity are essential.

My mission is to create images that reveal what is often invisible—the quiet moment, the subtle emotion, the soul of a child. I aim to craft portraits that stay with the viewer, evoking feeling and memory long after the image is seen.