Emerging talents
At Rotterdam Photo, supporting emerging photographic talent lies at the heart of our mission. For the 2025 edition, we’re excited to introduce new initiatives designed to amplify the voices of photographers and foster their artistic growth. Through international collaboration and educational partnerships, we aim to create platforms where the next generation of image-makers can connect, experiment, and be seen. This year, we’re proud to present two such initiatives:
Rotterdam Photo 2025 x The Backlight Photo Festival (Finland)
During Rotterdam Photo 2025, we proudly provide a platform for emerging photographers through a unique cultural exchange with the Backlight Photo Festival in Finland. In September, students from the Willem de Kooning Academy (WdKA) will continue the collaboration by traveling to Finland to take part in Backlight, further strengthening this artistic dialogue.
Following an open call organized by Backlight, two photographers — Karoliina Redsven and Christian Pirskanen—were selected. Their work is featured in our curated program, offering a glimpse into the diversity and depth of emerging photographic voices.
Rotterdam Photo 2025 x Willem de Kooning Academy (WdKA)
Rotterdam Photo 2025 is proud to collaborate with the Willem de Kooning Academy (WdKA) to spotlight emerging photographic talent. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to fostering creative growth and providing a platform where young photographers can engage with wider audiences and critical discourse.
This year’s selection features the work of ten WdKA students: Aniela Kurkiewicz, Milou Rosenkamp, Mila van Leeuwen, Franek Michoń, Ieva Gutmanaite, Vera Derkx, Paul Danet, Dominyka Kaselytė, Fionnán Murphy, and Clara Massen. Their diverse approaches and narratives reflect the dynamic, evolving landscape of contemporary photography.
Rotterdam Photo 2025 x NAVB
Rotterdam Photo 2025 proudly partners with the Nederlandse Academie voor Beeldcreatie (NAVB) to highlight emerging photographic voices. This year, NAVB presents Natalia Rubio Franke with her project Mi Tierra Escondida.
In this intimate series, Natalia Rubio Franke returns to her Spanish roots to explore themes of memory, identity, and cultural heritage. Raised in the Netherlands, she reconnects with her past through collaborations with local creatives in Valencia, blending tradition with personal storytelling.