With a deep fascination for outgoing and unconventional individuals, Sander Dekker embarked on his exploration of the autonomous domain of photography in 2011 with his ‘The Social Media Project’. Dekker focuses on finding eccentric people who catch his attention via social media, often in countries and cities where he has never been before.

His approach is simple yet effective: he sends them a message asking if he can photograph them at their home, without knowing much about them beforehand to avoid creating a biased image. Upon opening the door, he photographs them for no longer than two hours to maintain a high energy level. During the photoshoot, he asks them various questions about different aspects of their life. If the subject’s story aligns with the captured photos, Dekker considers it a successful series.

The ‘Social Media’ project not only provides a platform for the authenticity and unique stories of its subjects but also serves as a documentary of the zeitgeist. It illustrates how people consider such encounters normal after the rise of social media channels, although this phenomenon may be fleeting.

→ Curious about the subjects and their stories he has documented? You can find them in his latest book: My name is Sander Dekker 2