In the heart of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon, ten young women came together inside the Alliance Française for a photographic project conceived with care and discretion. An aesthetic and cultural gesture, carried out away from the constant gaze of a community that does not always welcome free artistic expression — especially when it is claimed by young women.
Armed with creativity and determination, they chose portraiture as a form of affirmation. Each woman wore henna tattoos — symbolic marks that speak of personal histories and cultural belonging. Their clothing followed the same dialogue: traditional African garments paired with contemporary elements, expressing an identity that is neither static nor nostalgic, but alive and evolving.
The shoot unfolded in a calm, protected atmosphere. One by one, the portraits took shape — postures, fabrics, skin, gestures. The delicacy of the henna designs intertwined with the energy of the women themselves, giving rise to images that go beyond appearance. Not simply portraits, but acts of presence.
Through this work, the women assert their right to exist, to be seen, and to express themselves – individually and collectively – within a space that allows listening beyond judgement. The project does not seek provocation, but visibility; not spectacle, but dignity.
By fixing this moment in images, they preserve more than a memory. They leave a trace – and perhaps an invitation for others to recognise themselves and to claim their own voice with strength.
