Hi, I am Zoie.
As a child of two families and two cultural backgrounds, I often existed in the in-between —never fully here or there. Photography became a way to navigate that space—a bridge between my biracial identities, between memory and presence, belonging and observation.
I photograph to remember—to collect fleeting moments and give them a permanent place. This instinct began in childhood, flipping through family photo albums and noticing how analog images felt warmer, more lasting. They were tangible proof that something happened and mattered.
Shooting on film allows me to slow down and be present with what I see and feel. I often use flash, initially to mimic the look of old snapshots in my family’s photo albums, and eventually to enhance my style: saturated colors, cinematic light, and imperfections that mirror the way memories blur and shift over time.
My work is rooted in solitude, nostalgia, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. I want my images to invite reflection—on what it means to discover joy in passing moments. Because ultimately, I'm collecting more than just images - I'm gathering evidence of existence, of finding beauty in the in-between spaces. I hope my photographs offer a kind of belonging—not just for me, but for anyone who’s ever felt the ache of being in-between.
Photo: Rick Van der Vlies