Framer Framed

Stay Strong Photo Stories – the sixth edition

Stay Strong Photo Stories is a participatory photo project led by photographer Karine Zenja Versluis in collaboration with Framer Framed. The sixth edition took place at the beginning of 2025, with women with a Ukrainian background, currently based in Amsterdam. The participants came together to share their stories and take pictures. For one, the group was an outlet to share, for another it was a chance to connect. To learn more about this edition, Framer Framed interns Julian Hoksbergen and Meike van Wegen sat down with Karine and participant Victoria.

What inspired you to start this project?

Karine: In 2020, I was invited by Framer Framed to organise a photography workshop for the artist community Open Atelier. When it was time to start the project, COVID-19 hit. We were unsure of what to do in these challenging times and opted to turn it into an online workshop. It became a success and we continued to do more editions. We’re now at the sixth – and offline – edition!

What kind of assignments did the participants receive during this project?

Karine: During the sessions, participants were given simple assignments related to their daily life, such as to focus on something positive or something that made them feel connected. During this edition, the war in Ukraine was also one of the topics that came up in an assignment. Depending on the participant, they could choose if they wanted to touch on that subject or not.

How did you evaluate the ‘quality’ of the photos?

Karine: It was very important to me that the participants didn’t have to make the ‘perfect picture’, but to make it their own. I gave them inspiration from other artists or photographers, but it was important to me that they only used the information that they thought was useful for them. During the last workshop I printed all the pictures so the participants could physically move them around to make the final selection. The first time you see all the images together is really touching.

Do you have any memorable moments during this edition?

Karine: There was a girl named Ira, who was for some time in Ukraine while following the workshop. She sent us pictures from time to time and we as a group made her a little video. We had a strong connection, even though we were physically apart. Additionally, at the end of the workshop, we had a little get-together where everybody brought a lot of nice things. Some participants brought food and things from their trip to Ukraine.

Is it important to know the story behind a photo?

Karine: Text and photos are integrated. That’s what we’d discuss with the group: once you hear the story behind a photograph, you see it in a different way. Sometimes a photo can just be enough on its own, but in this workshop the combination of the thoughts behind the photo and the photo itself can be very powerful.

What do you find interesting to capture in a photo?

Victoria: Nature and urban environments are my main interests. I like architecture as well, where I focus on composition, angles and perspective. If I have the time, I also take portraits.

How was the connection with the group, did you feel comfortable enough to share personal photos and stories?

Victoria: It was super supportive! We were all comfortable enough to talk about our feelings and be honest with our opinions towards one other. It was heart-warming.

What did the project mean to you?

Victoria: The project carries a lot of value for me. It’s not only about photography, it is more than that, it’s about connection, support and sharing a part of your identity, being Ukrainian. That was important to all of us.

Do you still keep in contact with each other?

Victoria: Yes, we decided to continue with the group. We already had one meeting where we met in person. We keep sharing photos in the group chat, commenting on them, and supporting each other. So, we are still going strong and continuing online and offline with the same people!

Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 was organised in collaboration with De Regenboog Groep Amsterdam.

Photo by Olga, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Olga
Even coots seek comfort. Instead of simply swimming in the water, they find a floating “island”—an old mattress that becomes a cozy refuge for them. Against the backdrop of ships ready for long journeys, this small scene shows that movement comes in different forms: it’s not always about moving forward; sometimes, the most important thing is finding a comfortable point of support. This photograph is about the balance between seeking the new and the desire for comfort, even in the middle of endless water.

Photo by Victoria, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Victoria
Nature restores me and sets me into a creative mode. Walking has been my meditation since I was fifteen years old. Envisioning birches brings me back to my parents’ place, filled with joy, even though the multiple types we have in the Netherlands differ from those in Ukraine.

Photo by Victoria, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Victoria
Noticing the air and the sky, the space and its scale. Playing with geometry in my mind inspires, fulfills and entertains me, and so makes me happy.

Photo by Oksana, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

1. Oksana
2. This photo is about music. I like to dance and I like music events. In this photo is also a small love story: my friend met a nice guy at this moment.
5. 

   Photo by Oksana, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

   Oksana

6. Through dancing I have a great time with myself. I learn to listen to my body. Especially I like to work on better movement and finding my sexuality and femininity. This is also my support and power. When I was a child, and then a teenager, until I was 16, I was professionally engaged in Ukrainian folk dances, and now I’m returning to it again. It’s just that the type of  dance now changed, but the passion has remained.

Photo by Olga, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Olga, Pure Sincerity
A white cat drinking water is an image of pure trust in life. It doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t fear—it simply enjoys the moment. In its eyes is trust in the world, in its movements are emotions that both humans and animals share. This photograph is a reminder: sincerity is strength, and simple joys fill us with warmth. This photograph reminds us to believe—in the light, even when shadows surround us; in people who stand by our side; in the small moments that bring happiness. They speak of support, not just from others, but from life itself.

Photo by Victoria, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Victoria
For me, connection — with anyone or anything — begins within myself. To restore, reset, and recharge, nature is my best ally. Here, the grass symbolises the very essence of nature, grounding and revitalising.

Photo by Olga, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Olga
This photo is about movement, which is important not only for the direction but also for who you share it with. In Amsterdam, where the bicycle is a part of life, the moment with the mother and son becomes especially meaningful. The woman is absorbed in her phone, and the boy silently looks into the distance. Their journey has paused, but the connection continues, even in silence. This photo is a metaphor for an inner journey, where both movement and pauses are important, in which you can feel closeness.

Photo by Kateryna, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Kateryna
Light and motion, something that you can’t catch, but it gives you hope for the future.

Photo by Victoria, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Victoria
The cat sought attention from his owner, who was too busy watching soccer. So instead, he turned to three ladies — ensuring he got triple the affection and connecting us.

Photo by Kateryna, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Kateryna
Recently my brother passed away. While organising his apartment I was going to bring one of his plants to a friend of mine, as a memory of my brother, as he was the person who introduced us three years ago.

Photo by Kateryna, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Kateryna
This is a picture of my children’s room. The photo on the wall is of their fathers. His absence – he is in Ukraine and we are in the Netherlands- is the connection to war.

Photo by Ira, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Ira
This is the driver of the transit car which brings people to Ukraine and back to Europe. He lives in his car.

Photo by Ira, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Ira
This is my nephew, he gives me incredible energy.

Photo by Oksana, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Oksana
In this photo, we see Ukrainian children from different cities in Ukraine. They are united by the circumstances created by the Russian invasion of their country. The connection between them is the children’s interest in cartoons.

Photo by Ira, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Ira
This is my roommate and her dog Sonya. They have a super connection, and big big love for each other.

Photo by Ira, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Ira
This is in Den Haag at the beach. The big rocks remind me of the war: of the blockings that were on the road to protect for military vehicles.

Street Silence and Light by Olga, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Olga, Street Silence and Light
This photograph is a reminder to have faith in the journey. Even if all you see ahead is a narrow alley, the light will find you. The cyclist symbolises movement, a life that never stands still. This frame holds the world’s quiet reassurance—there is always a way forward, even if you can’t see it yet.

Photo by Victoria, Stay Strong Photo Stories #6 (2025).

Victoria
Connection can be seen from different perspectives. Here, it’s a literal interplay of lines and layers — reeds, branches, masts, and sunlit plane trails — woven into a geometric dance of light and form.