L'Arche

• Prize
  Gold in Portraiture/Personality
• Photographer
  David Eich, Germany

I spent a year photographing a group of mentally disabled people who
live under the roof of an organization called l'Arche. They share their
house in a small town near Lille with non disabled people who help
them with everything they need. This sort of close life can be difficult
and exhausting for both sides, but it offers close friendship and a
family in return. My pictures show scenes from daily life such as
meals, a shower, recreation etc. Religion plays a big role in the
everyday lifes of these people and some photographs were taken
during a pilgrimage to Lourdes in southern France.