Josefien Tondeleir is a Belgian portrait and documentary photographer born in 1987, based in Ghent. She studied Sociology at Ghent University but pursued photography as a self-taught artist, focusing on themes of authenticity and personal experience .

Her notable works include NEST, a raw exploration of motherhood created using trail cameras installed throughout her home during pregnancy and early parenthood. This project, published in 2021, captures the emotional and physical complexities of becoming a mother .

Another significant project is Remains, developed after the passing of her grandparents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This series features self-portraits in their clothes and photographs of their home, reflecting on memory, loss, and generational connection.

Tondeleir's work has been featured in various exhibitions, including Eye Mama at the Royal Photographic Society in London and Women in Art at de Hallen in Amsterdam. Her photographs have been published in De Volkskrant Magazine, De Standaard Weekblad, and Météore.

Tondeleir's work is characterized by its intimate and unfiltered portrayal of personal experiences, offering a window into the complexities of motherhood, memory, and identity.

In addition to her personal projects, she works as a freelancer for various media such as De Tijd. She is available for portrait and documentary assignments in Belgium.

Books

NEST, published by The Falabella Stable, 2021

Exhibitions

Inzoomen op erfgoed, 2018, Sint-Gorikshallen, Brussels

1+1 group exhibition, 2018, Nucleo Ghent

Traject03 group exhibition, 2021, Blanco Ghent

Out Of Office, 2021, Koksijde

The Breast Feed, overview exhibition, 2022 O’Yo Ghent

Women in Art, March 2023, de Hallen Amsterdam

Eye Mama, May 2023, Royal Photographic Society London

Breedbeeld Traject #4, June 2023, Hangart Brussels

Remains, October 2024, Gris Gallery Ghent

Dagen Zonder Haar, November 2024, Gris Gallery Ghent

Prizes

Inzoomen op erfgoed, selected by the national jury with ‘The Good Shepherd’ , 2018

Pitch winner at De Donkere Kamer Knokke with ‘Schelde’, 2019.

Second prize Barbaixprijs Sint-Martens-Latem, with ‘Apenverdriet’, 2023.

Publications

NEST, De Volkskrant Magazine, February 2021

NEST, De Standaard Weekblad, February 2021

Météore, ‘Dog Songs’, September 2021

Remains, DM Magazine, November 2022

Eye Mama Project, the book, published by TeNeues, April 2023

Remains, De Standaard, November 2024

Dagen Zonder Haar, De Standaard, Januari 2025

Masterclasses/workshops

Group traject - mentormentor - 2019-2020

Masterclass Laura Pannack - Fotofilmic - 2021

Group traject Breedbeeld guided by Magnum photographer Bieke Depoorter - June 2022 - June 2023