Harmen Meinsma, (b. 1991) started his photographic career in Balk, a village in the north of Holland. During his teenage years, being gay in a small town was very isolating for him. Harmen spent most of his time creating various styles of decor in his bedroom and taking photographs of himself and his friends. His photography thus became a positive escape.
Over the years, Harmen’s work further developed into the photographic career he has today. His practice has moved from a focus on self-portraits, towards a fascination for the eccentric and free-spirits of this world. The creative framework of fashion also allows Harmen to build a fantasy world filled with color and costumes.
Harmen is not interested in capturing reality, but he does become inspired by what he discovers in real life. He forms this reality following the direction of his own imagination, casting his subjects as the main characters. Through his work, the photographer gives the unconventional subjects of society the spotlight they deserve.
His drive as a photographer is to make images come from a sense of empowerment, and a celebration of being different. Harmen treats his subjects with tremendous love and respect: an aspect this is visible in every image he produces.
The Last Season I & II by Harmen Meinsma focuses on the cultural diversity of Rotterdam-West (NL) and the inhabitants of the campsite Hoek van Holland (NL) by selecting extraordinary personalities that he meets on the streets and photographing them using exaggerated styling and glamorous lighting. It’s a celebration of being older, different, and of not being afraid to stand out in a crowd.
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