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A Diverging Frontier by Justyna Mielnikiewicz

Muse by Jouk Oosterhof (NSFW) 1 of 10

Jouk Oosterhof - Polaroid 1

Muse (noun): The source of inspiration for a creative artist

Series overview

It was André’s facial expression that first attracted me to him. He is friendly yet taciturn, and his emotions can be hard to read. We were neighbours, one day he came up to my apartment to grumble about my music. While he was disturbed, his face did not convey this. This stoic exterior fascinated me, and I began photographing him, the beginning of a relationship that resulted in him becoming my muse.

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Jouk Oosterhof-Polaroid 2

It started with a story for a Dutch newspaper supplement. My first photos of André are polaroids, sketches for this shoot. Then, when I wanted to make a personal image for my 10th anniversary as a professional photographer, it was André who inspired me. Slowly I started to realise his importance. The next year, when asked to do whatever I wanted for Playboy magazine, I knew adding him to an image of a naked woman would inspire me again.

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Jouk Oosterhof - Untitled

The choice of women’s clothing was made with subtlety in mind, to feel natural and relate to Andre’s age and character. What would he wear had he been a woman? As he is a heterosexual man I did not want it to appear he was cross-dressing. Rather, I was thinking of his porcelain skin and the soft colours in his house.

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Jouk Oosterhof - Untitled

He never forces a smile or a pose. What you see is unaltered André in situations that come to my mind. Images I want to exist. This collection of photographs plots the evolution of a muse. Through the ageing of us both in these 15 years and the diversity of scenarios, it reflects André, me, and a fascination with one natural man.

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Jouk Oosterhof - 10 Years

About Jouk Oosterhof

A considered and precise approach underpins Amsterdam-based photographer Jouk Oosterhof’s distinct body of work. Oosterhof’s images are staged in carefully selected lived-in interiors. Her subjects, more shapes than personalities, are sculpted within the geometry of the space, and each element is thoughtfully composed to create flattering portraits.

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Jouk Oosterhof - Playboy

Oosterhof’s works are strong, deliberate, and unmistakeably hers. Recently, she was honoured with Third Prize at the Head On Portrait Prize awards for her image of prolific Instagrammer, Lara Verheijden; a 24-year-old Dutch photographer, stylist, model, and model scout.

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Jouk Oosterhof - Andre on his bed

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Jouk Oosterhof - Andre on his couch

In 2016, André on His Couch was a Juror’s Pick for the Lens Culture Portrait Awards, won second prize for Zilveren Camera Portraits 2015, and in 2015 was exhibited at London’s National Portrait Gallery as part of the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize. She has won numerous other awards and exhibited extensively.

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Jouk Oosterhof - Andre leaning on his bed

More information: http://photoplay.co/photographer/jouk-oosterhof/

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Jouk Oosterhof - Andre covered

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5 June 2017