hello@jefclaes.com
@jefclaes
Jef Claes (°1989, Leuven) is a photographer and image director based in Antwerp, Belgium.
His work - whether commissioned or personal, explores the space between reality and its representation in a photograph. An image, for Claes, is never a mere reflection of the world, but a subjective interpretation - a rendition: reality as seen, shaped, and perceived by the photographer.
Specialising in portraits, product, and fashion photography, his commissioned work is grounded in the same thoughtful approach that defines his personal projects. Each image is crafted with precision, often characterised by a (deadpan) graphical composition, structured repetition and methodical approach to framing, and a strong archival sensibility.
A self-proclaimed “archivist”, Claes approaches every project as a blank slate, guided by consistent methodology and an evolving visual language. Central to this process is his engagement with facture: the material and formal qualities of image-making itself. Through careful attention to texture, construction, and process, either in camera, albeit through use of early digital or analog photography or in post-production, he aspires to build images that not only depict but also reflect on how they are made - a personal rendition of reality as he perceives it, and, by extension, challenging his photography as a medium itself. (anti-photography)
Claes is deeply collaborative in his commissioned practice of photographer / image director, working closely with brand-side creatives, art directors, and designers. He values a methodical, transparent workflow paired with open creative dialogue, ensuring each project is both strategically aligned and visually distinctive. This collaborative mindset allows for a shared authorship where the brand’s vision is interpreted through his unique visual language, resulting in work that is precise, conceptually sound, and emotionally resonant.
Underlying his practice is an interest in simulacra - the idea of reality as constructed or suggested through images. His photography explores this concept, blurring the boundaries between the real and the rendered, between perception and representation.
Education
Narafi Brussels
Bachelor in Audiovisual Techniques - Photography
2013
arte antwerp
eastpak
le fooding
lies mertens
adidas
ten-c
NTS
esquire uk
de standaard magazine
samsonite
the new originals
sabato magazine
the word magazine
vice netherlands
de brakke grond
university of ghent
city of antwerp
urlaub
2013 -
luxe hand car wash
2017 -
prefabrications
2017 -
relevant renditions
2024 -