Julia aan de Stegge, born in 1997 in the Netherlands, divides her time between the Netherlands and Indonesia. She studied fashion design, followed by creative concept development at Academie Artemis. As a photographer and creative director, she draws inspiration from people, their stories, cultures, and nature. Her distinctive style is marked by a keen sense of contrasts, intricate layering, and bold colours. Through her lens, she captures the interplay of these elements, creating visual stories.
Commissioned | 2022 Creative direction & photography
Flowers of the universe
Flowers of the universe
Personal work | 2021 Photography | Julia aan de Stegge Styling | Hester Arends
Everything but nothing
Everything but nothing
What does happiness mean to you?
For this photo series, I asked multiple people around the world this question.
Isn’t this the most important question for all of us to ask ourselves? What does living mean without happiness? And what, then, is happiness? I’ve asked this question to people of different backgrounds, and I’ve heard the most beautiful and inspiring stories. This had such a huge impact on me that I’ve decided that this will be my life project. I want to create more awareness around this subject and make people think about what the definition of happiness means to them and their loved ones.
By showcasing these photos and stories, I hope we can all learn and find inspiration from one another. I hope that we all can live our lives with newfound awareness and see the beauty in the things that we already have, instead of always wanting more. For example, sharing food and possessions in most Southeast Asian cultures is a form of love language regardless of family, friends, or strangers. I’ve met people who live from their hearts, helping others and following their gut feeling. From what I’ve discovered, that’s how we can achieve true happiness.
Taking a walk and enjoying the sunset after a tiring day of work is often necessary. To live wholeheartedly and feel with their soul. Be in tune with your passion, nature, and find gratitude in what the earth has provided for us.
It is important that we do the little things. The existence of social media has made it easy for us to compare our lives when we do not necessarily know what is going on behind the screen.
Like most of us, we may have come from a capitalistic world where we are told that money and success are the keys to happiness. But that is not true. My first wake-up call came when I first moved to Indonesia and realised that there are bigger things in life than career and succes.
Happiness is not something you can touch; it’s a feeling. I want to create awareness to highlight the importance of this. Take a step back, be grateful for what you have and live day by day.
This created self-awareness for me, to learn and live more in the moment and appreciate the little things. And I believe it is our birthright to be able to enjoy this little life more.
I, personally, realised my ultimate happiness happens when my heart, soul, mind, and body are in connected and in the present.
So… What does happiness mean to you?
* This photo series is aimed at those who often seek more without appreciating what they have. I hope it helps you recognise and draw inspiration from the gratitude others express for life's little moments.
Personal work | 2020 - ongoing
Lindsey Fontijn | +|-
Lindsey Fontijn | +|-
Commissioned | 2022 Creative direction & photography
Be aware know what you wear
Be aware know what you wear
Step into awareness with our photography project that seeks to illuminate the hidden impact of synthetic swimwear on our beloved oceans. Through captivating visuals and thought-provoking messages, we aim to create echoes in the minds of individuals who may not be aware that their choice in swimwear is contributing to the microplastic pollution crisis.
In a world where the allure of recycled products often masks their unintended consequences, our project challenges the common misconception that opting for recycled swimwear equates to a more sustainable choice. Unveiling the truth, we spotlight the reality that even recycled fabrics shed microplastics, adding to the ocean's plastic burden. Whether it's a plastic bag drifting in the sea or you in your synthetic (plastic) swimwear, the impact remains the same.
This project is an integral part of Julia's graduation endeavour—a groundbreaking biodegradable swimwear collection. Our fictive awareness campaign encourages mindful choices by urging individuals to opt for organic alternatives. "Be aware, know what you wear" echoes the essence of our campaign, inviting people to think twice about the environmental footprint of their swimwear.
Join us in creating echoes of change. Choose wisely, choose organically, and let your swimwear reflect your commitment to a healthier planet. This project serves as a call to action, urging everyone to wade into a future where sustainability and style coexist harmoniously.
Personal work | 2020
Licé
Licé
Personal work | 2022
Lindsey Fontijn | GEMS
Lindsey Fontijn | GEMS
Commissioned | 2022 Creative direction & photography
Lindsey Fontijn | Nine
Lindsey Fontijn | Nine
Commissioned | 2022 Creative direction & photography
Faces + places
Faces + places
"Faces + Places" embodies a concept in which I present individuals and locations that have stirred within me profound and emotional sensations—a magical connection, a spark, an undeniable resonance. There's a deep, indescribable feeling that resonates, prompting me to capture and preserve it. This is my way of holding onto the essence of those moments when I encountered these people or places.
Initially uncertain about the origin of this sentiment, I delve into the exploration of the person or place captured in the photograph. Through this exploration, I come to realise that there's a magical energy, a sense of rightness and harmony. It's a fusion of my eye and heart capturing unexpected color combinations or expressions, coupled with a profound emotional resonance that runs deep.
I endeavour to immortalise these feelings and moments, with each image telling its unique story from various corners of the globe. The person, the place, the emotion, and the interplay of colours and contrasts all contribute to a sense of completeness in that singular moment. It's my way of cherishing the extraordinary connections and deep emotions that make each encounter special.
A magical energy, a feeling that something is just right.
Personal work | 2018 - ongoing
Sophi Lou
Sophi Lou
Commissioned | 2020 Creative direction & photography
A home away from home, but where is home?
A home away from home, but where is home?
In recent years, I've lived in countries that resonated more with my sense of 'home' than the Netherlands. During my nine-month stay in Indonesia, I explored the meaning of 'home,' inspiring a photo series featuring an Amsterdam product.
Initially drawn to Lombok as my 'home,' I realised that 'home' transcends place, intertwining with the ocean and community, characterised by people who exude genuine warmth and live by their hearts.
One such soul is Tora, a 13-year-old surfer I met in Lombok. His infectious spirit and language barrier-defying purity exemplify the essence of 'home' for me. I captured this connection through photographs, with Tora wearing the product, evoking my 'home' in Indonesia, and in the water, where 'home' finds resonance with the ocean's embrace.
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