On 1 November, the exhibition Life Stories, organised by BredaPhoto and Pride Photo, opened at Clublokaal in Breda.
Being able to be yourself, love freely and live as you are. That is what every human being wants — but unfortunately, it is still far from being a given for everyone. For many people within the LGBTQIA+ community, that fundamental freedom is still or once again restricted in many places around the world. They are at risk of discrimination or are even threatened by their own government. Others feel constrained by the family or community in which they grow up. It takes courage to shape your own identity despite this.
BredaPhoto and Pride Photo are joining forces to present Life Stories, a tribute to the life stories of queer individuals who choose to go against the grain and follow their own path, even if that sometimes happens later in life. With five impressive photo projects by international artists, new work by young talents who highlight their Breda muses, an outdoor exhibition and a multidisciplinary context programme in collaboration with the TILT literature festival, we want to inspire a wide audience, queer individuals and allies, and celebrate our shared diversity.
Locations
Life Stories spreads across multiple locations in the city like a mini festival. The heart of the exhibitions is located in Clublokaal. In the project space of the Chassé Theatre, visitors can take a journey through queer history, from international achievements in the fight for equality to facts about Breda, with photos from various archives. In addition, the 2025 edition of the annual Pride Photo outdoor exhibition can be seen in Valkenbergpark. Ype Driessen’s presentation can be seen in the Nieuwe Veste library. All locations are free to visit. In this way, the organisations want to further lower the threshold for a visit. A voluntary contribution is appreciated.
About the organisations
BredaPhoto displays, explores, interprets and questions international contemporary photography and audiovisual art based on socially relevant themes. BredaPhoto aims to be a platform for inspiration, dialogue and contemplation, connecting and giving space to different voices and perspectives. In doing so, BredaPhoto deliberately seeks out experimentation and emerging talent. In this way, BredaPhoto makes an active contribution to the development of photography and opportunities for new creators. The boundaries of the medium are explored and sometimes crossed, bringing other art disciplines into the picture alongside photography. BredaPhoto strives for international relevance, but always from its connection with the city of Breda. BredaPhoto organises the international BredaPhoto Festival every two years. In addition, BredaPhoto increasingly organises additional activities that, although on a smaller scale, always have the same mission and values in mind.
Pride Photo is a platform for international queer photography stories. Every year, Pride Photo organises an open call that is free of charge for photographers worldwide. Together with an international jury, Pride Photo curates an exhibition from these submissions. A photo project suitable for Pride Photo is socially engaged, intersectional, reflects the spirit of the times and is often politically involved. Pride Photo selects photographers who create artistically interesting work and communicate in an accessible way. Through photography, Pride Photo contributes to the visibility and representation of queer and LGBTQIA+ issues in a world that does not always welcome the queer community. In 2025, the foundation will take a new direction. In addition to the travelling exhibition in public spaces, Pride Photo will also curate exhibitions based on its archive, which has been built up over many years.
Exhibition ‘Life Stories‘
BredaPhoto & Pride Photo
Locations: Clublokaal, project space at Chassé Theater, Breda city center
1 – 30 November, 2025
bredaphoto.nl/lifestories
Photography: Jeike Wullms
