Bieke Depoorter

Bieke Depoorter is a Belgian photographer known for her intimate and immersive approach to documentary photography.

Born in 1986, she has been a member of Magnum Photos since 2012. Depoorter stands out for her ability to establish deep and authentic connections with the people she photographs, often living among them.

Her projects “Ou Menya,” created in Russia, and “I Am About to Call it a Day,” created in the United States, perfectly illustrate this method. By entering the personal lives of her subjects, she captures everyday moments with rare sensitivity and honesty.

Bieke Depoorter’s work, exhibited worldwide and awarded numerous prizes, invites us to deeply reflect on the notions of belonging, identity, and shared humanity.

“As It May Be” is one of Bieke Depoorter’s most notable projects, carried out in Egypt. This photographic series explores the complexity of Egyptian culture and society through a collaborative and introspective approach.

In 2011, Bieke Depoorter began photographing in Egypt, shortly after the start of the Arab Spring. Her intention was to capture the daily life of Egyptians in a context of political and social change. However, over time, she felt the need to reexamine and reinterpret her work in collaboration with the people she was photographing.

For “As It May Be,” Depoorter adopted a unique approach: she returned to Egypt with her photographs and invited the people she had photographed, as well as others, to annotate and comment on the images. She distributed the photographs in public places, such as cafes and streets, and asked people to write directly on the prints. These annotations, often in Arabic, offer personal perspectives, critiques, reflections, and stories that enrich the understanding of the images.

The series addresses themes such as identity, cultural perception, and the role of the photographer. By allowing the subjects of the photographs to express themselves, Depoorter challenges the traditional dynamic between photographer and subject. She aims to give a voice to those who are often reduced to mere visual subjects, thus creating a more equitable and nuanced dialogue.

“As It May Be” is a bold project that challenges the boundaries of documentary photography by incorporating the perspectives of the photographed subjects, creating a deeply human and collaborative work.