Photoplay | Jouk Oosterhof

Jouk Oosterhof

Photographer

A considered and precise approach underpins Amsterdam-based Jouk Oosterhof’s distinct body of work. Her unique sensibility has allowed her an internationally acclaimed career as a portrait, editorial and commercial photographer for over fifteen years.

Jouk’s images are staged in carefully selected lived-in interiors where the walls, floors, curtains, and furnishings whisper their histories and stories. Her subjects, more shapes than personalities, are sculpted within the geometry of the space, and each element is thoughtfully composed to create flattering and genuine portraits. Jouk’s works are strong, deliberate, and unmistakably hers.

Jouk's exhibition of her Muse was a Featured Exhibition in the 2017 Head On Photo Festival, and she has been a finalist in the Head On Portrait Prize 4 years in a row, 2017-2020 (Her portrait 'Egbert' winning International Runner Up in 2020.) In 2016, Jouk’s photograph 'André on His Couch' was a Juror’s Pick for the Lens Culture Portrait Awards, in the second prize category for Zilveren Camera 2015, and in 2015 it was exhibited at London’s National Portrait Gallery as part of the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize. In 2019 Jouk was again selected for exhibition in the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, with 5 portraits of girl brides from Bangladesh beautifully located in the National Portrait Gallery, London. With prizes in Selection Of Dutch Photography (SO2014) and the Art Directors Club of The Netherlands (ADCN) since 2000, her accolades are impressive. Click here for a list of awards.

Follow Jouk on Instagram. Visit Jouk’s website.