Info
Joep Hijwegen (b. 1994) is an Amsterdam-based photographer working across personal projects, editorial commissions and brand collaborations. Rooted in street photography, his work often uses reflection, silhouette, glare and changing urban light to examine public space, anonymity and everyday behaviour.
His practice developed through years of walking and photographing without predetermined subjects. He often responds before analysing, works with manual-focus lenses, and allows blur, glare and imperfect focus to remain part of the image.
His photographs have been shown in galleries and at international photography fairs, and have appeared in Het Parool, de Volkskrant, ZEIT Magazine and Digital Photographer. The work is collected in two photobooks, Controlled Coincidence and Blue Hours.
Much of Joep's work begins by walking towards the sun. Glare disrupts clear perception and turns figures into silhouettes, while the changing position of the light makes time of day a visible part of the photograph. He usually works without looking for a predetermined subject, responding first and considering what attracted his attention afterwards.
He often photographs without relying closely on the viewfinder and works with manual-focus lenses. Blur, reflections and partial obstruction are allowed to remain when they contribute to the image rather than being treated as technical errors.
The same methods inform commissioned work. Editorial, cultural and brand assignments are approached through observation, available light, environmental context and the behaviour of people within a place.
- LFI / Leica Fotografie International
- LensCulture
- GUP
- PF Fotografie
- Digital Photographer
- ZEIT Magazine
- de Volkskrant
- NRC
- Het Parool
- Het Financieele Dagblad
- MAPS JAPAN
- Sundowners at Photo Münsingen2026, solo
- Controlled Coincidence2022, solo
- Blue Hours at MENDO2021, solo
- Haute Photographie2020–25, group
- PAN Amsterdam2024, group
- SWAB Barcelona2024, group
- KunstRAI2021, group
- Controlled Coincidence2020
- Blue Hours2021
- ND Awards2021
- GUP NEW2020
- Haute Talent2020
- Fresh Eyes2020
- SO Awards2020
- Life Framer2020
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