Susanne Bartels

Don’t be afraid

DON’T BE AFRAID I photograph women who carry their lives visibly. In their wrinkles and laughter, in silk and worn-out sweaters, in defiance, tenderness, elegance or eccentricity. They are not united by age, beauty or biography, but by something invisible: the way they stand in the world. The firdt photograph leaves only the words BE AFRAID. The missing DON’T is intentional. Life rarely removes fear. It simply asks us not to let it decide who we become. This series is a celebration of women who have found their own posture - not against the world, but within it. For me, true beauty is not youth. It is a person whose inner attitude has become visible.

Photographer

Susanne Bartels

Dedicated photographer and artist with international experience and a strong artistic vision. Gained expertise under the mentorship of renowned photographers such as Steve McCurry, David Alan Harvey, Marc De Tollenaere, Nicos Economopoulos, Greg Gorman, Steve Thornton, Julia Fullerton-Batten, Nike Larson, and Tim Mantoani. Deep engagement with contemporary and historical artists in photography and painting, focusing on portraiture, street photography, composition, and performance art. For the past five years, the artistic focus has been on project-based and conceptual street photography. Selected artist for visual arts at significant events and internationally renowned festivals, such as the Rencontres d’Arles (OFF Program), with contributions featured in notable magazines and publications. Currently working on a long-term project about a closed social community in Puerto Rico, alongside an artistic exploration of young people’s search for boundary-pushing experiences in urban spaces within my hometown. CV: 2014–2024: Freelance photographic artist based in Munich, Germany 2024: Honorable Mention and publication at the Street Macadam Award 2024: Gold Medal winner at the Paris International Street Photography Award (PISPA) in the category “Street & Children” 2025: Exposure One Awards – Gold and Bronze 2025: Finale Rome Photolab Series September 2025 - winner to be announced! Solo and Group Exhibitions: 2017: Solo exhibition Botswana – The Special Moment at Galerie München, Theatinerstr. 47 2022: Solo exhibition Mirrors and Windows at Galerie München, Theatinerstr. 47 2023: Group exhibition The Beautiful Helena at Galerie La Grande Vitrine, Rencontres d’Arles 2024: Solo exhibition Rifletti prima di riflettere at Galerie München, Theatinerstr. 47 2024: Group exhibition featuring two works from Rifletti prima di riflettere at Galerie La Grande Vitrine, Rencontres d’Arles 2024: Solo exhibition Amazing Grace at M-Yard München (invited as a photographer to represent visual arts at a renowned artist event in Munich) 2025: Group exhibition ENSEMBLE curated by Salif Dekamo at Windfall GmbH 2025: Selection from among the 40 winners of the competition “Das Wesentliche” (The Essentials) Exhibition at the Leica Gallery Munich (August 9–21, 2025) Collaborations: Worked with various international galleries and art organizations Online curator for street_me_up, a platform for street photographers Commissioned works for websites and interior designs, including for Sabrina Lindemann, Elisabeth Dean, Rainer Janousch, Boris Pikula, Alexander Fink, and Nicolas S. Streichenberg Founder of the Instagram platform Ikigai.dialogs Publications: 2022: Mirrors and Windows exhibition booklet, Munich, Germany 2023: A State of Consciousness artist book, Rencontres d’Arles, France 2023: Rifletti prima di riflettere art print zine, Munich, Germany 2024: Burn Oaxaca Zine artist book, Mexico 2024: Beneath the Surface artist book, Rencontres d’Arles, France 2024: Rifletti prima di riflettere portfolio in Profifoto magazine, Issue 12/2024 2025: City Surfers hard cover book 03/2025 Mentors and Coaches: 2011: Greg Gorman 2012: Tim Mantoani 2012–2013: Steve Thornton 2012: Mike Larson Since 2020: Marc De Tollenaere 2022: Eolo Perfido 2022: Steve McCurry Since 2023: David Alan Harvey

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