Mustangs – Stadsfotograaf Mirjam Huisman

The first exhibition by the new City Photographer of Apeldoorn, Mirjam Huisman, can be seen from September 5 to October 11, 2026, in the ACEC Salon. With Mustangs, she focuses her lens on the residents of our municipality as she sees them: like in a film.

City photographer Mirjam Huisman

At the end of this summer, Mirjam Huisman will take over the role of City Photographer from Sam Warnaar, becoming the city’s sixth City Photographer. For two years, she will capture the city as she sees it through her lens.

Mirjam Huisman by Peter Lous

The selection committee chose Mirjam Huisman because of the high quality of her work. They also appreciate her unique style and the distinctive way she views people and the city. Huisman studied at the Fotovakschool in Amsterdam, graduating cum laude, and works as an independent photographer. In her work, she primarily creates portraits of young people and individuals from various subcultures. Her photos often have a raw and cinematic atmosphere. Music, films, and outsiders are important sources of inspiration for her. Huisman: “I create portrait stories without a beginning or an end, allowing the viewer to form their own story.”

In the autumn, Apeldoorn can get acquainted with Huisman’s work during her inaugural exhibition Mustangs at ACEC. At the same time, the current City Photographer Sam Warnaar presents her final exhibition Zoals ik je zie at CODA.

Mustangs & Broncos

At the ACEC Café, Huisman presents her project Mustangs from September 5 to October 11, 2026, inspired by her personal experiences as a young person in a village on the Veluwe. All exhibited photographs were taken in this area.

Mustangs is a series of photo shoots presented as a visual road trip. Like fragments from a film, disconnected from a narrative. Huisman: “These are fictional portraits in which I ask the models to play a role, but where room remains for improvisation. In this way, I seek intimate and raw moments, balancing between fiction and reality.” She leaves it up to the viewer to construct their own story from the photos.

Huisman also shows a preview of the sequel to Mustangs, her first project as City Photographer: Broncos. For this, she portrays young people from various villages in the municipality of Apeldoorn. Huisman: “I hope to capture the identity of these young people as well as the sense of freedom that the environment offers.”

The City Photographer – Ambassador of the city

The City Photographer is an artistic ambassador of Apeldoorn. This role entails that the photographer strengthens the city as a city of photography by being visible in (print) media, on social media, and in public spaces. The City Photographer is guided and advised by a committee consisting of ACEC, Apeldoorn Photo, CODA, the Fotovakschool, and the municipality. Every two years, the municipality appoints a new City Photographer.