Mia san mia

Project Title: Mia san mia – We Are Who We Are Mia san mia – a Bavarian expression meaning “We are who we are” – forms the central idea of this long-term photographic project exploring identity, coexistence, and parallel realities.

"Mia san mia" – a Bavarian expression meaning “We are who we are” – forms the central idea of this long-term photographic project exploring identity, coexistence, and parallel realities. The series brings together portraits and scenes from people whose lives often unfold outside the mainstream gaze: People with disabilities living in care homes, whose separation from the wider world is rarely of their own choosing, identical twins whose closeness creates its own quiet space, members of the queer community who still face social exclusion or prejudice in many areas of life and individuals who follow alternative paths — all part of our shared society, yet often seen or held at a distance.

The work does not observe from a distance, but enters into the environments of the people portrayed – with respect, closeness, and the intention to make their realities visible without exoticizing them. Each group builds its own social structure, its own world – shaped by routine, intimacy, and community. The camera becomes not just an observer but a companion.

"Mia san mia" is a quiet yet powerful affirmation of identity. It is a project about people who do not conform to dominant social norms – and who deserve space precisely for that reason. The aim is not to emphasize their difference, but to reveal the depth and dignity of their everyday lives. In doing so, the project raises questions about belonging, visibility, and the subtle boundaries between “us” and “them.”

The work is conceived as a book – a space where these different micro-worlds can unfold and resonate with one another. It invites the viewer to pause, enter, and reflect.