Ananda Van Der PluijmAnanda van der Pluijm (1980) is a Dutch photographer and visual artist based in Amsterdam. Her graduation project for the Amsterdam Photo Academy, Martin, won 3rd Prize Observed Portraits Stories at World Press Photo 2013 and was selected as a finalit for the Getty Portrait Prize. She also holds a MA in Cultural Studies. Ananda started using photography in 2009 as a means to make contact with her surroundings, during her rehabilitation after developing Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune condition. Her experiences inspired her to focus on human relationships, loneliness and creating new connections with photography. Her work is an ongoing research on how the medium can be used to connect; conceptually, thematically and technically. From the beginning, she has been creating personal, intimate stories and portraits with sensitivity, compassion and respect. Ananda is currently working on several projects within her theme, and continues to shoot the stories that touch her. Read More Read Less