Bronze in Portraiture/Wedding / 2025 / Portraiture / Wedding

• Prize
  Bronze in Portraiture/Wedding
• Photographer
  Steven Thoelen, Belgium
• Studio
  Steven Thoelen
• Website
  https://www.steventhoelen.com
• Instagram
  https://www.instagram.com/steven.thoelen

Genesis of Equality captures the imagined moment where the seed of human equality was first sown—a visual allegory composed with intention, light, and layered symbolism. Each figure represents a unique background and life story, yet all are united in a carefully constructed universe of shared meaning. Inclusion is not just implied, but embodied: every presence in the image plays an intentional role, reflecting the idea that each individual carries meaning and value—both in society and in this frame. As an autodidact I directed the entire process—casting, styling, and staging.

I live my life with my soul in my hand.
'Typical is boring' is a statement I always presented to myself as a personal advice. And this statement runs like a thread through my life, whereby uplifting enthusiasm dominates the exercise of my passion. I'm a self-taught man, a photographer who's addicted to that shot of adrenaline you get as soon as you leave a well-trodden path. Be prepared for atypical storytelling with people and objects being portrayed in complicated fantasy scenes. One by one compositions intertwined with an overload of details and symbolism.

Awards 2018: Expo: La Fille d'Oscar - Hasselt/Belgium
2019: Expo: SWISSARTEXPO - Zürich/Switserland
2019: Expo: Int'l Art Fair Amsterdam - Amsterdam/The Netherlands - 2019 (WINNER BEST ARTIST AWARD)
2019: Expo: ACAF - BOZAR Brussels/Belgium
2020: Expo: Int'l Art Fair Shanghai - Shanghai/China
2020: WINNER GLOBAL ART AWARD (cat.photography) - Shanghai/China
2020: Expo: 'BLIND' - Genk/Belgium
2021: ND AWARDS | 2nd place nd awards 2021 in people - other
2022: IPA Professional 2022 - People Other | 2nd place
2023: New York Photography awards - Fine Art | 2nd place
2023: MUSE photography awards - Platinum Winner
2024: London Photography Awards - Category Winner of the year
2024: MUSE Photography awards - Platinum Winner
2024: PX3 Paris Photo Awards - Silver Award