Drogisterij Hermsen

This photo is from a series called ‘Shopkeepers’ by photographer Niels Helmink. The photos from this series are bundled in a book, which made Niels famous.

Niels took the first photo from the series in 2004. He lived in Nijmegen and saw a small hairdressing salon. He was immediately taken by the interior that dates back to the 1950s. That’s why he entered the barbershop. ‘Can I take a photo?’ The hairdresser agrees, and poses a bit indifferently with her hand on her hip, while she leans against a sink.

Before Niels became a photographer himself, he worked for a number of other photographers, such as the famous Erwin Olaf. First as an intern, later as an assistant. Erwin taught him a lot about photographing people. For example, he portrayed Queen Máxima, or the boy with the shopping bags that you see hanging opposite.

Some people work in their shop for years. They are completely integrated with that place. They become that place. Do you know any of those people? The family doctor, the cashier, the waiter on your favorite terrace.

By photographing the old, small shops, Niels captures the memory.

Do you know that expression? ‘Hey, this is a Kodak moment!’ was sometimes said in the past. Then a photo had to be taken. Maybe it is still said sometimes. Kodak is a large photography company from America. Maybe you have already discovered it: Niels used a roll of Kodak film for this photo.

There are different types within photography. This photo belongs to the category of documentary photography. Because nothing else has been done to the background in this work and the photo shows the situation naturally.

Even though the photos were not taken that long ago, they already seem old-fashioned. They show how quickly society is changing. The shops are already old-fashioned. You see how different they look from today's shops. They give a glimpse into the past. Almost a time machine.

Everyday things that slowly disappear are of no interest to Niels. Like the small drugstore you see in the photo. What does it mean that some situations disappear from our society?

Niels Helmink (1976) studied at the Technical College Ede. After his studies, he apprenticed with various photographers to gain practical experience. Now he also teaches in Ede, in addition to his photography practice.