Ans Brys is a Belgian documentary photographer, based in Antwerp.
Her focus is mainly on interpersonal connections. In all her works she seeks for the twilight zone, both visually and in terms of content.
She works as an independent freelancer for NRC Handelsblad, De Standaard and The New York Times. Her work has been featured a.o. in The Guardian, De Volkskrant, Vrij Nederland, Børsen, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, De Morgen, De Tijd and Télérama.
Founder of The Female Gaze and member of Women Photograph and The Journal Collective.
She teaches Photography in Professional Bachelor at Sint Lucas Antwerp.
education / training
2017 : Transmission pour l’Image at Visa pour l’Image in Perpignan, FR
2016 : Photobook Design Masterclass with Heijdens Karwei and LensCulture, Amsterdam, NL
2013 : Noor Nikon Masterclass in Conflict Photography in Bayeux, FR
2002 - 2005 : Professional Bachelor Audiovisual Techniques: Photography at Sint Lucas, Antwerp, BE
1998 - 2002 : Master Graphic Design at Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp, BE
solo exhibitions
2025 : ik ken ook lieve leeuwen at Detention Centre, Antwerp, BE
2024 : BADGASTEN at het Oude Badhuis, Antwerp, BE
2023 : TUSSEN DE BLOKKEN, a project on social housing blocks in Antwerp, BE
2019 : AMWB at Allemaal Mensen at Bibliotheek Hasselt, Hasselt, BE
2018 : AMWB at Allemaal Mensen at Permeke, Antwerp, BE
2012 : World AIDS Day in BTC Brussels, BE
2011 : World AIDS Day in collaboration with Sensoa in Belgian Senate, Brussels, BE
2011 : International Women’s Day at Plantijn University College, Antwerp, BE
2010 : World AIDS Day in ITG (Tropical Institute) Antwerp, BE
2010 : World AIDS Day in IHAEC (Designers Against Aids) Antwerp, BE
group exhibitions
2024 : COMMON, curated by Eva Verbeeck and Jemma Castiglione, Brussels, BE
2024 : de kamers van Zé, Antwerp, BE
2021 : Iconobelge at Antwerp Photo, curated by Kaat Celis, Antwerp, BE
2021 : The Journal at Koki Festival, curated by Charlotte Schmitz and Anne Ackermann, Freiburg, DE
2021 : f2 Festival, curated by Charlotte Schmitz and Anne Ackermann, Dortmund, DE
2020 : The Journal: Documenting Covid-19 curated by Myrto Papadopoulos, Benaki Museum, Athens, GR
2020 : The Billboard Project on different locations throughout the city of Antwerp, BE
2018 : Because We Can (Shutter Hub) at Festival Pil’ours, Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, FR
2017 : Brussels Street Photography Festival at De Munt, Brussels, BE
2012 : Canvas Collectie/Collection RTBF in Bozar Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels, BE
2010 : Rwanda Rains at Deuss Gallery, Antwerp, BE
selected press
2026 : Zomertijd, curated by Nick Somers, De Standaard
2025 : Als fotograaf heb je een enorme verantwoordelijkheid, curated by Siska Vandecasteele & Walt Van Beek, De Tijd
2023 : De Balans, De Tijd
2023 : Tyfustijd, hosted by Dennis Tyfus, Radio Centraal
2022 : Alle Menschen (werden Brüder), by Assia Bert, Breedbeeld
2021 : Over beelden die troosten, by Mies Cosemans, Shoot Magazine
2020 : The Mirror #6, edited by Marco Savarese, Eyeshot magazine
2020 : #slowmotion | Bevreemding en aanvaarding, curated by Sofie Stevens, De Tijd
professional contributions
2009 - current : lecturer at Professional Bachelor Photography, Sint Lucas, Antwerp, BE
2025 : ik ken ook lieve leeuwen (prison Antwerp), project development and guidance together with De Rode Antraciet, Antwerp, BE
2024 : artist talk AMWB at Studium Generale, AP University, Antwerp, BE
2023 : Gelmelslot (prison Hoogstraten), project development and guidance in partnership with De Rode Antraciet, Stedelijk Museum Hoogstraten, BE
2023 : artist talk at Saint-Luc - École supérieure des arts, Liège, BE
2021 : panel discussion with Rik Van Puymbroeck for Iconobelge at Antwerp Photo, Antwerp, BE
2021 : Black History Month, project development and guidance together with Johan Luyckx and Wouter Lambrechts for BHM, Antwerp, BE
2020 : founder of The Female Gaze
2020 : member of The Journal Collective, founded by Charlotte Schmitz
2019 : artist talk AMWB at Bibliotheek Hasselt, Hasselt, BE
2019 : My Space/Your Space, project development and guidance together with Gideon Hakker for FOMU, Red Cross Refugee Centers & Sint Lucas Antwerp, exhibition at Museumnacht FOMU, Antwerp, BE
2019 : THE KNAUSGÅRD / HASSELBLAD SERIES by Alexia Leysen, practical guidance and post production, Galerie Verbeeck - Van Dyck, Antwerp, BE
2018 : artist talk AMWB at Permeke Library, Antwerp, BE
2018 : What’s your Story?, project development and guidance together with Gideon Hakker for FOMU, Red Cross Refugee Centers & Sint Lucas Antwerp, exhibition at Museumnacht FOMU, Antwerp, BE
2017 : mentor and jury member at Brussels Street Photography Festival, Brussels, BE
2017 : full member of Women Photograph, founded by Daniella Zalcman
2017 : Belgium. What do you see?, project development and guidance together with Gideon Hakker for FOMU, Red Cross Refugee Centers & Sint Lucas Antwerp, exhibition at FOMU, Antwerp, BE
2016 : This is Me, project development and guidance together with Gideon Hakker for FOMU & Red Cross Refugee Centers, exhibition curated by Joachim Naudts, as part of Braakland at FOMU, Antwerp, BE
2016 : project coordination and organisation of Photo Circuit Stadsvoer / City Grub, in collaboration with MAS, Antwerp, BE
2012 : post production Father Mike series, James Nachtwey Studio, New York, USA