Lara Verheijden on the table
Jouk Oosterhof
Winner
portrait
portrait
Prolific Instagrammer Lara Verheijden holds her presence with conviction; she is herself and is neither shaped by society nor exhibits for the sake of showing off. She is so comfortable in her skin it is almost as if she grew up in a cave without the media and opinions to shape her identity. Yet, at the same time, she is empathic and aware, an unusual combination in someone so young. I didn’t choose to photograph Lara because of her harelip, but because I of her spirit and rawness as well as her confidence and infectious humour.