The Berlin Photographer Celebrating Gender Fluidity in his Portraits

 
Jaap Bräutigam landed his role as a  photographer by coincidence after he worked at renowned modeling agency Tomorrow is Another Day in Cologne. It was during his time at the agency where Jaap fell into photography after he came into contact with some of the industries best fashion photographers and modelled for brands such as Saint Laurent and Lanvin. Now having relocated to the creative capital,  Jaap runs a design studio  – Awesome Boys – with Cornelius Carstens, that focuses on minimal web design alongside photographing Berlin’s latest fashion faces and his close friends.
Inspired by the diversity of the people within his friendship circle and his interest in the development of relationships, Jaap has shot a series of portraits that come together to be viewed as a collective rather than individual images. Styled by Natacha Voranger, the photographs work in relation to each other and seek to capture the true character of each individual and break away from societies obsession with materialism.  The series captures the anti-stereotypes of gender – men that embrace their vulnerability and women that stand strong and confident. Most importantly, the uncomfortably close portraits hold the viewers gaze to linger on. This is Jaap’s way of encouraging us to spend time to value the moment and communicate with each other; and we’re not complaining.