"I have been wanting to explore sexual fantasies since I discovered my own, a few years ago. At the time, patriarchy was invading and occupying the most personal corners of my life, and sexual fantasies became a space in which I could reclaim myself.
"
Myriam Boulos is a Lebanese photographer who uses photography to explore, defy, and resist society. Her approach for her masterclass project, Sexual Fantasies, was based on an open call: “If you identify as a woman or you have been socialized as a woman, and you want to share your sexual fantasies, send me an e-mail.”
Her belief is that "by exploring our sexual fantasies, we inevitably document socio-political issues that are silenced and normalized."
For the 28th edition of the Joop Swart Masterclass, we brought together 12 emerging photographers from around the world to develop a project, and develop the tools to make a viable career in photography.
The participants' developing projects cover a wide array of topics, from explorations of love amid war to the profound impact of conflict on people’s lives. Collectively, their work highlights the concerning state of the world and the resilience of communities and journalists worldwide.
Launched in 1994, the Joop Swart Masterclass is World Press Photo’s best-known educational program for emerging photographers, encouraging new and diverse approaches to photojournalism, documentary photography and visual storytelling. After a three-year hiatus, the Joop Swart Masterclass returns this year, with a focus on the MENA region, thanks to funding from the Porticus Foundation.
See more work by 2024 Joop Swart Masterclass participants here
