Familie en vrienden 1935 - 1940

This collection of photographs called Familie en vrienden is presented in an album in the Rijksmuseum. The way these images are arranged tells a story. It's like a visual diary, where each picture is a little moment captured. The black and white tones give them a timeless feel, almost like they're from a dream. Notice how the edges of the photos are all jagged and uneven? It gives the impression of something intimate, like they have been torn from something and carefully placed in this album. Look at the image of the people gathered together on the blanket. There is a realness to the poses and expressions that you just don’t get when you're trying to make something look perfect. They seem caught up in the moment, unaware of being watched. That sense of authenticity reminds me of the work of Nan Goldin who was also interested in capturing real lives. It’s like glimpsing into someone else's world, and I love that.