Faces and Places of Indonesia: Behind the Scenes of My Long-Term Cultural Photography Project

Let me begin with a confession:I’m not here to race across Indonesia ticking off destinations, nor am I chasing the perfect photo.

My long-term project, Faces and Places of Indonesia, is rooted in something deeper: connection. It's not about the camera. It's about the people.

a very intimate moment with topeng keras - photo taken by Jeff Baus

As a photographer with a deep love for Indonesian culture, I travel slowly—sometimes to remote islands, sometimes to quiet villages—simply to sit, listen, and learn. I want to understand how people live, what they believe, how they celebrate and how they grieve.

The portraits I create? They're born from those moments. From trust. From tea shared on a porch. From a nod, a laugh, a conversation under a banyan tree.

two elder Balinese men having a break on the roots of a holy tree in Bali

Cultural Photography in Indonesia: A Journey Without a Finish Line

This isn’t a quick project. There’s no deadline. No itinerary full of famous landmarks.

Instead, I allow time to do its work—slow travel through Indonesia, guided by human stories, not headlines (heck, there is a reason why I've visited Bali 8 or 9 times already - I lost count). My photography is about capturing those quiet, often overlooked, moments of beauty that live in everyday life.

I’ve photographed women weaving traditional fabrics in Sumba, young men preparing for ritual ceremonies, and elders who carry entire oral histories in their smiles. And each photo has a story—sometimes told in Bahasa, sometimes in gestures, always from the heart.

Women of the Sea: A Personal Side Project

One of the most meaningful parts of Faces and Places of Indonesia is a side project I call “Women of the Sea.”

This personal project focuses on Indonesian women whose lives are intertwined with the ocean—not just culturally, but physically, spiritually, and economically.

These are:

• Female scuba divers working professionally in Indonesia’s dive industry

• Women in coral and shark conservation, protecting fragile marine ecosystems

• The strong, graceful seaweed farmers of Nusa Lembongan, harvesting under the rising sun

• The fascinating Bajau women, sea nomads who have lived on and with the ocean for generations

I’m currently searching for female fishermen in Indonesia—a story I’m eager to tell, but one that’s proving elusive.If you know someone—or are one—please reach out. Your story matters.

Watu Bella Beach in Sumba

What’s Next? My Route Through the Islands

The journey continues. And I’m taking it one island, one village, one person at a time.

Next up:

• Komodo – more than just dragons; a region rich in cultural texture and...diving, diving, diving!

• Bali’s quiet corners, far from the party scene, where traditions thrive, as always

• Sulawesi – home to ancient cultures, intricate rituals, a blue-eyed tribe, and unspoiled beaches

• Alor, a lesser-known paradise with powerful stories

• And eventually, Java, the cultural heartbeat of Indonesia

As always, my camera comes with me. But more importantly, so does my curiosity.

a lady selling fresh mango at a market in Bali

A Future Exhibition and A Living Project

In early 2027, I hope to share this body of work in my first solo photo exhibition in Luxembourg. But that exhibition isn’t the end. It’s just a milestone.

Until then, I’m thrilled to be exhibiting select works at this year’s Konstfestival in Lellingen, Luxembourg—a beautiful chance to offer a glimpse into what’s unfolding.

This project will continue to grow, evolve, and surprise me—and hopefully you too.

Follow the Journey — Or Be Part of It

If you're passionate about:

• Cultural photography in Indonesia

• Respectful and ethical travel photography

• Slow travel

• Or simply love stories told through real faces in real places…

Then stick around. I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes moments, new portraits, and discoveries from the road. Join me on instagram.com/pretty_slides and leave a like, follow, or comment. I always appreciate those.

And if you happen to know female fishermen in Indonesia, or women working with the sea in any form, please do get in touch.

Because Faces and Places of Indonesia isn’t just mine.It belongs to every person who has opened their door, their smile, their story—and to everyone who chooses to listen.