My name is Iris Haverkamp Begemann, and I am a documentary photographer from Amsterdam. Through my work, I often shed light on the stories of people who are less visible in society. I strive to create images that empower my subjects, and I undertake projects that span over extended periods.<\/p>\n
With the photobook “I Went on a Holiday to the Country You Fled From,” I aim to break free from the prevailing perspectives of “me” and “the Other” that reduce the lives of refugees to abstract concepts. Instead, I hope to foster a collective consciousness by telling the story from a “we” perspective because I believe that we are all both part of the problem and part of the solution.<\/p>\n
In the summer of 2021, I faced a dilemma when contemplating a holiday to Mexico. It wasn’t just about choosing a destination; it was about the impact of my decision on my dear friend Alejandra Ortiz, a Mexican writer and activist who identifies as a trans woman. As a white cis-gender woman, my privilege granted me easy access to visit Mexico, but the same freedom was nearly impossible for Alejandra, given the challenges she faced as a trans woman living in her own country. Meanwhile, Alejandra has been denied a residence permit in the Netherlands for seven years because Mexico is considered “safe” for her.<\/p>\n
The questions gnawed at me – Would my visit inadvertently shape the image of Mexico as a carefree vacation destination, while it remained unsafe and unwelcoming for Alejandra and others like her? I felt the urgency to address this disparity and shed light on Alejandra’s plight. This journey marked the beginning of my photo series, “I Went on a Holiday to the Country You Fled From.”<\/p>\n
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