About the guest photographer: Josefien Tondeleir

About the guest photographer

Josefien Tondeleir

Josefien Tondeleir (37) took the photos for issue 12. She studied sociology at Ghent University and later enrolled in an evening photography course. She stopped when she was appointed photo editor at ‘De Morgen’. In the meantime, she has become a freelance photographer, working for publications such as ‘De Tijd’, ‘The Fat Lady’, ‘Kunst Werkt’, ‘De Bezige Bij’, and, more recently, ‘de Volkskrant’. Her main focus is portrait photography, although she also creates cartoons on personal themes.

How do you approach your work?
“I always try to establish a connection with the person I’m portraying that is as open, sincere and playful as possible. To work authentically, stay true to myself, and thus create openness with my subject – that’s hugely important to me. Everyone has a story; everyone deserves to be seen. I have learned so much from all the people who come in front of my lens.”

What or who inspires you in your work?
“I couldn’t do my work the way I do without the input of my spiritual guide: my yoga teacher. Above all, he has taught me that you can only truly see and feel others if you first do the same with yourself. So I’m working very hard on my own inner world, to create enough space for the people I meet. Openness, presence in the moment – those are a few takeaways from my yoga background that are invaluable in my work as a photographer.”

What will you remember about your assignment at M?
“The friendly and welcoming atmosphere in Leuven, and at M in particular. I took the photos at the end of a busy term and found peace in Barbóék at M – such a quiet place to eat and read is rare. And, of course, in the museum itself.”

Read magazine issue twelve