The Human Fragment – Paul van Walree’s Search for Presence
For Paul, it began with a child’s curiosity – and a broken plastic camera. Growing up in a small historical town in the Netherlands, he remembers photographing his friends in primary school, eager to preserve what was in front of him. That first camera didn’t last, but the instinct did.
Ten years later, his uncle handed him a Zeiss Contaflex from the 1950s, a gift that would truly open his eyes. One of his earliest images – a Cuban man with a cigar – was made with that camera, and it remains etched in his memory as a moment of connection.
Ten years later, his uncle handed him a Zeiss Contaflex from the 1950s, a gift that would truly open his eyes. One of his earliest images – a Cuban man with a cigar – was made with that camera, and it remains etched in his memory as a moment of connection.
“More Than Shadows”
Paul calls himself a street photographer, but his work does not chase the dramatic geometry of shadows and silhouettes. Instead, his lens drifts toward people – in their human presence.
“I want to get close to them,” he says. “I take street portraits in addition to candids.”
For him, photography is not about spectacle. It’s about fragments of life: small gestures, fleeting expressions, quiet humor, or a face caught between thought and emotion. A funny street scene makes his day; a rewarding portrait becomes a memory that lingers.
“I want to get close to them,” he says. “I take street portraits in addition to candids.”
For him, photography is not about spectacle. It’s about fragments of life: small gestures, fleeting expressions, quiet humor, or a face caught between thought and emotion. A funny street scene makes his day; a rewarding portrait becomes a memory that lingers.
“A Hobby With Depth”
By profession, Paul works in a field that leaves little room for photography. His craft survives in the in-between spaces – on vacations, on Saturday afternoons, in moments stolen from the rhythm of daily life. Yet within those margins, he finds something powerful.
What began as a hobby has become a deeply rewarding practice. Each time a photograph lands – when an image captures someone in their truth – the joy is undeniable. It is proof that photography doesn’t have to be full-time to be full of meaning.
What began as a hobby has become a deeply rewarding practice. Each time a photograph lands – when an image captures someone in their truth – the joy is undeniable. It is proof that photography doesn’t have to be full-time to be full of meaning.
“People, Just Themselves”
Paul’s philosophy is simple but profound: he doesn’t care about age, gender, or appearance. His mission is fulfilled when a person appears as themselves in his frame – unforced, unposed, and honest.
“I suppose I am looking for fragments of life, not necessarily a big story,” he reflects.
But in truth, these fragments are stories. Each face, each encounter, each street moment carries a narrative that words could not fully capture. His portraits honor people as they are – in their environments or stripped of them through headshots – and reveal that beauty often lies in authenticity.
“I suppose I am looking for fragments of life, not necessarily a big story,” he reflects.
But in truth, these fragments are stories. Each face, each encounter, each street moment carries a narrative that words could not fully capture. His portraits honor people as they are – in their environments or stripped of them through headshots – and reveal that beauty often lies in authenticity.
“The Rare Storyteller’s Eye”
Looking through Paul’s work, what stands out is human presence. His photographs are reminders that the extraordinary often hides in the ordinary, waiting to be seen by someone who is paying attention.
It is this way of seeing – this dedication to truth, fragments, and fleeting gestures – that makes Paul van Walree one of the Rare Storytellers.
It is this way of seeing – this dedication to truth, fragments, and fleeting gestures – that makes Paul van Walree one of the Rare Storytellers.
The pictures and perspectives expressed above are those of the author(s) alone and do not represent the views of Rare Storyteller or its team.
to the world.