From June 8 to September 28, the quiet Belgian town of Pelt transforms into a powerful open-air gallery as it hosts Lens op de Mens, Belgium’s largest outdoor photography festival. This year’s edition, the fifth since its launch in 2017, focuses on vulnerability. A theme that resonates deeply with my work.
I had the honor of attending the festival’s opening. I was awarded the Gold Prize for my Stages of Depression series — a body of work that has taken years of emotional labor, reflection, and honesty. To see it recognized on such an international stage, among incredible artists and storytellers, was both humbling and energizing.
More than just an award, what made this trip unforgettable was the people I met. From fellow photographers and curators to festival organizers and the local community, I left Pelt with new friendships and a renewed sense of connection. It reminded me once again why we do what we do — to communicate, to move, to reach each other through images.
The festival features over 1,200 photographs from artists around the world, exhibited along a 3km walking trail through the town. It’s not just an event — it’s an immersive experience that invites you to reflect on the human condition in all its complexity.
A special thank you to the Lens op de Mens team, the jury, and everyone who stopped to talk, share, and inspire. If you’re anywhere near Belgium this summer, go see it. It’s worth every step.
📍 Overpelt, Belgium
🎉 Lens op de Mens Festival (8 June – 28 September 2025)
🏆 Gold Award – Stages of Depression
