irishaverkampbegemann

Last summer I bumped into the “Meets” phenomenon at the Foodstrip in Amsterdam, where every Friday, young car lovers come together to share their passion and connect with like-minded individuals. At the Foodstrip ‘Meets’, there are no rules or limits when it comes to customizing cars. For Naäma (20 years old) and her boyfriend Renzo, it’s a special place where they can bond over their shared love for cars.

BIG NEWS ⚡️ Book launch 16th of May @foam_amsterdam My debut photo book is here! It’s surreal to see this journey of the past two years (!!) finally come to fruition. Making this book was a journey in trial and error, entering a new discipline of book making together with the talented graphic designer @tjadebouma. It feels like the biggest professional achievement of my life so far and an immense learning experience. I can’t wait to show it to you at the official launch of the book, the 16th of May @foam_amsterdam from 6.00 - 8.00 pm. Please RSVP via the Foam website (link in bio) and use the code IRISHAVERKAMP0 for free entrance. Come celebrate with me! A special thank you to @tjadebouma for being by my side through every creative storm, from sudden changes of heart to mental meltdowns. Your unwavering support the past years means everything. I’m grateful for all the pre-orderes and support through @voordekunst , turning this dream into a reality. Most of all I’m grateful to my friend @alejandraortiz_mex, who shared her personal story with me and wrote her thoughts next to the photos. I hope this books shines light on her situation and others like her. On to the new chapter: being a publisher and distributor of my own book! “In I Went on a Holiday to the Country You Fled From, Dutch photographer Iris Haverkamp Begemann explores identity and privilege. Guided by memories and hand-printed maps by Mexican trans writer and activist Alejandra Ortiz, Haverkamp Begemann went on a holiday to the country Ortiz fled from—Mexico. The photography series weaves together experiences of belonging and rejection to create an intimate portrait of identity and the complex ways that it dictates personal freedom.” Concept, photography & selection: Iris Haverkamp Begemann Descriptions: Alejandra Ortiz Graphic designer: Tjade Bouma Copy editor: Roxy Merrell Printer & binder: Wilco Art Books Lithographer: Gaëlle van den Dool  Publisher & distributor: Iris Haverkamp Begemann Made possible with the support of @afk020 , Stichting @voordekunst and het @cultuurfonds.

I Went on a Holiday to the Country You Fled From (2022) Guided by memories and hand-printed maps by Mexican trans writer and activist Alejandra Ortiz, I (Dutch cis-gender photographer) went on a holiday to the country Ortiz fled from—Mexico. The photography series weaves together experiences of belonging and rejection to create an intimate portrait of identity and the complex ways that it dictates personal freedom Exhibition will be on view until the 21st of August 2022 @melkwegexpo, curated by @clairehoogakker. This project is supported by @afk020 and @mondriaanfonds.

In deze serie gaan we in gesprek met mensen die de polarisatie overstijgen en twee of meer identiteiten in zich verenigen. Wat kunnen we van hen leren? Deze maand spreken we Maja Kooistra (77), fysisch geograaf, sjamaan en boomdruïde. ‘Mijn directe en gevoelsmatige benadering heeft mij geholpen in mijn wetenschappelijke werk. Andersom heeft mijn wetenschappelijke manier van denken mij geholpen structuur te geven aan mijn sjamanistische levenswijze.’ Lees het interview van Anna Lillioja met Maja Kooistra op vn.nl. Foto's zijn gemaakt door Iris Haverkamp Begemann.

Jolanda for @decorrespondent “It’s not just about food, clothes, or things. It’s also about the conversation, a listening ear. Just being there.” This past summer, I met Jolanda Caffa, the heart of the LOEV give-away shop in Moerwijk. After losing her partner, Rico, to cancer, she created a small altar in his memory at the shop, along with a tattoo of his heartbeat to keep him close. Jolanda knows better than anyone what it means to rebuild after hardship, and she wants to inspires others to do the same. This article is written by Josta van Bockxmeer. Thank you Bebe Agterberg @bebeblancoagterberg for the assignment.

Photos of Saar Kramer & baby Olivier for @decorrespondent, part of their series (‘De Betrokkene’) which highlights people who contribute to positive change in the world every day - especially important in today’s political climate. Not all parents can easily breastfeed, but Saar had no such difficulties—her son Olivier, now four months old, latched on well, and she produced an abundance of milk, collecting about 200 milliliters extra daily. After filling her freezer, she found a Facebook group where she could donate her excess milk. Thank you, @saarkramer , for allowing me to be part of this intimate moment, and @bebeblanciagterberg for the assignment 💛. Article written by @sanneblauw.

Nico, 2024

Today I want to express my deepest gratitude to Alejandra for sharing her story for the photo book, I Went on a Holiday to the Country You Fled From which will be launched this Thursday 16th of May @foam_amsterdam. When we first met, I was immediately struck by Alejandra’s resilience. Despite facing ongoing struggles to secure asylum in The Netherlands, she has impressively organized her life here without even having a permit. Alejandra’s ability to navigate these immense challenges with such grace and strength is truly inspiring. I hope this work contributes, even modestly, to the broader discussions surrounding asylum and the rights of trans individuals, and that it might support Alejandra’s ongoing quest for asylum. Although my name is on the cover, the heart of this series is truly a result of our many conversations we’ve had over the years about identity, freedom, and the (trans) representation in photography. With Alejandra’s descriptions alongside some of the photos, the book offers a dual perspective—her insider view adds depth to my outsider observations. I wanted to go beyond merely telling a story, to foster a dialogue that encourages critical thinking about representation, privilege, and power dynamics. This way, the photo series aims to challenge the systems that allow me easy access to a country from which Alejandra had to flee. Alejandra, I am honored by your trust and friendship. Your insights have greatly enriched this project and significantly enhanced my skills in documentary photography. Thank you for being such an active participant in your representation and for trusting the process from the very beginning. Your resilience, intelligence and warmth continue to inspire me every day ❤️ In the slides some photos I took and a quote I collected from Alejandra throughout the years (none of these are featured in the book). 1. Jazmin’s bday, 2024 2. Trans rembrance day, 2024 3. AZC Almere, 2022 4. Chosen family, Lauren & Patri, 2022 5. Memories AZC Maastricht, 2021 6. Sleepover at my place, 2022 7. With her boyfriend Tjerk celebrating her nomination for the Opzij literature prize, 2024

Sometimes an assignment can really impress me and get me thinking because of the stories I’m learning about. Like this time, when I was driving to various corners of the Netherlands to meet Bart, Krista, Rolf, Roos and Jesse for an article by @miloudeelen for @volkskrantmagazine . The article writes about people who’ve shifted from heterosexual relationships to explore different forms of love. The stories made me feel energetic and optimistic about life because they show the liberation of breaking free from confining systems. Just like Bart’s Egyptian Ankh necklace in slide 2 symbolizing immortality and eternal life, these individuals are embarking on new chapters, starting afresh - a second life. However, in other parts of the world, the barriers to break free are way higher, and this assignment also reminds me of the enduring disparities within our society. Big thanks to @lottipronk for trusting me again with this opportunity to capture the diptychs, shedding light on such an important topic. Hopefully, these stories will inspire people to listen to their hearts more often 🤍 The stories and photos are featured in this weekend’s issue of Volkskrant Magazine. Enjoy your weekend! Rolf & Roos: photo assisted by @tjadebouma Krista: photo assisted by @menno_devee

Some candid shots of my tanning holiday with Sam, back in 2021 P.S. Last week, I’ve hand-printed my first-ever color photo in the darkroom (the first slide) and this manual process got me even more hooked for setting up my own lab. If there’s animo for color hand printing in Amsterdam, slide in my DM.

From Día de Muertos to Palestine - I’m donating these Mexican marigold prints for Medical Aid for Palestinians @medicalaidpal. Just like the Aztec marigold flowers guide spirits home, let our support bring hope to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza 💛🕊️ Marigold flowers for Día de Muertos, Mexico, 2021
32 x 40 cm Edition of 20 Archival pigment print on 285gsm Hahnemühle Fine art paper

100% of the funds raised will go directly to Medical Aid for Palestinians which provides vital medical care, working for the health of Palestinians. Link in bio. Printed by @fotolabkiekie

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure to photograph Gert-Jan Segers for Volkskrant Magazine. One of the perks of being a photographer is the chance to meet people I might never bump into otherwise. With just 1.5 hours to capture photos that “truly reflected Gert-Jan Segers' personality”, this can be a challenge, especially when I’ve never met the person. And also because a former leader of the ChristenUnie is probably honed to pose a certain way over a decade of media training. However, it's always a rewarding experience when I discover common ground during a photoshoot, as we did in this instance, particularly on the topic of being an outsider. Furthermore, it’s a pleasant surprise when someone is willing to being photographed in their natural environment and to put their trust in me. Thank you @gjmsegers for welcoming me into your home. Read the full interview written by @nathaliehuigsloot in this weekend’s Volkskrant Magazine. Assistant @edson_ramos Grateful for this opportunity @heike.gulker