Luuk Peters
My motivation for positivity stems from a period in which I experienced the opposite: everything felt negative and the hardest part of the day was just getting out of bed. I was able to turn this around through creativity, specifically my photography, working with my camera, and the motivation to cheer others up. Through my work, I help people discover their own strengths; I show them something they are already capable of. I try to underpin this discovery factor with a highly stimulating drive towards tranquility, peace, and positivity.
I ask myself questions such as “what is happiness for me?” and “is happiness really found in small things?” With these questions in mind, I set to work, with or without my camera, to create and collect images. “I'll come across something along the way,” I say to myself.
I record, observe, reflect, and visualize. My camera serves as a magnifying glass to examine the big picture in the small. I look for ways of seeing that are different from my own vision. Smiling and playing, I set out with this instrument as an extension of my own viewing object.
The power of my work lies in its simplicity, accessibility, and quantity. It leaves a lot to the imagination but provides guidance in the arrangement of the images.
I want people to feel safe with my work, I want to heal people, set an example, and make them laugh. Nothing comical, but purely because you discover something new; for me, that is the power of creativity. I am not a doctor, psychologist, or neurologist, but with my work, I want to make the world a slightly better place every day, even if it is only for one person at a time. Ultimately, I think everyone can appreciate a smile on their face.