martijn mendel
MARTIJN MENDEL
AMSTERDAM
2025
Creative director working with photography and video to shape powerful visual worlds for artists and brands. Known for a raw, cinematic aesthetic, transforms staged moments into imagery that feels deeply real. Partnering with musicians, performers, and forward-thinking brands to craft visual identities that are authentic, emotional, and meaningful.
Somewhere Somebody's Dancing, Baby.
projects ⤵
2025
Amsterdam
VANDALISMO | CREATIVE DIRECTION | PHOTO & VIDEO
SHOT AND DIRECTED BY MARTIJN MENDEL
based on and part of LUCA-ANDREA TESSARINI 'vandalismo’ for the origen festival cultural..
vandalismo is a visual and emotional exploration of the spaces we create to survive a world in collapse. It’s about the tension between refuge and self-destruction—the warmth we run toward, even when it quietly burns us. Inspired by the idea that comfort can be both healing and harmful, vandalismo reflects on ambition, transformation, and the beautiful, dangerous things we do to feel alive.
based on and part of LUCA-ANDREA TESSARINI 'vandalismo’ for the origen festival cultural..
vandalismo is a visual and emotional exploration of the spaces we create to survive a world in collapse. It’s about the tension between refuge and self-destruction—the warmth we run toward, even when it quietly burns us. Inspired by the idea that comfort can be both healing and harmful, vandalismo reflects on ambition, transformation, and the beautiful, dangerous things we do to feel alive.
MANIFESTO | CREATIVE DIRECTION | PHOTO & VIDEO
SHOT AND DIRECTED BY MARTIJN MENDEL, based on and part of LUCA-ANDREA TESSARINI 'manıfesto’ for the origen festival cultural.
"if i were to write a manifesto, it would speak of the trust in the connection to the people i surround myself with. my refuge, here it comes..”
"if i were to write a manifesto, it would speak of the trust in the connection to the people i surround myself with. my refuge, here it comes..”
manıfesto
always amazes me as to how long it can take to construct or to create something.
A building…
A life…
And yet all it takes is an instant for it to seem like it’s never existed.
It’s been in my thoughts a lot lately. Because there’s so much conflict going on around us, and all we really get from that are losses… and a sense of hopelessness, really.
I find refuge within the moments I truly feel like I can connect to somebody. Or multiple people for that matter.
With all this constant and never-ending urge for destruction, I feel like we’ll never be able to build fast enough to accommodate all these beautiful people on this planet.
My manifesto would speak of exactly that.
Why destroy things?
Why not just be in the business of building?
A building…
A life…
And yet all it takes is an instant for it to seem like it’s never existed.
It’s been in my thoughts a lot lately. Because there’s so much conflict going on around us, and all we really get from that are losses… and a sense of hopelessness, really.
I find refuge within the moments I truly feel like I can connect to somebody. Or multiple people for that matter.
With all this constant and never-ending urge for destruction, I feel like we’ll never be able to build fast enough to accommodate all these beautiful people on this planet.
My manifesto would speak of exactly that.
Why destroy things?
Why not just be in the business of building?
CZNSTUDIOS | CAMPAIGN PRIDE 2024
VENOM | STAGE VISUALISER | PHOTO & VIDEO
“VENOM takes on a form of life that only comes together through the participation of a group of people with diverse opinions, passions and attitudes towards life. VENOM is the red thread, not only figuratively but also as a focal point around which the creation is built. On the one hand the red thread is present to form a connection from beginning to end and on the other hand for pure inspiration.”
vandalismo is a visual and emotional exploration of the spaces we create to survive a world in collapse. It’s about the tension between refuge and self-destruction—the warmth we run toward, even when it quietly burns us. Inspired by the idea that comfort can be both healing and harmful, vandalismo reflects on ambition, transformation, and the beautiful, dangerous things we do to feel alive.
WE ARE LOVE | HOMOHOOLIGAN | FILM
The following excerpts are from the film ‘WE ARE LOVE’ and is based on an archive of personal messages left behind in special containers in several cities in The Netherlands, an initiative by Davy De Lepper. Let’s write – and rewrite – the stories of queer joy, together, this is our love letter.
a project by DAVY DE LEPPER
shot and directed by MARTIJN MENDEL
words by TARA VAN VEEN
starring:
Ayrton Fraenk
Edward Lloyd
Eve Fatale (Eve Wientjens)
Jo Joe (Youssef Mahmoud)
Jon-Michael Oliva
Lal Tessarini
Lis Maris
Nicole Ward
Rob Moolenaar
saint daniel
Thiago Bordin
thanks to:
Club Nyx
Rasalila Studio
shot and directed by MARTIJN MENDEL
words by TARA VAN VEEN
starring:
Ayrton Fraenk
Edward Lloyd
Eve Fatale (Eve Wientjens)
Jo Joe (Youssef Mahmoud)
Jon-Michael Oliva
Lal Tessarini
Lis Maris
Nicole Ward
Rob Moolenaar
saint daniel
Thiago Bordin
thanks to:
Club Nyx
Rasalila Studio
Have you seen it?
That radiant smile of yours,
Bringing sparkles in their eyes.
I remember the first time we felt free.
We kissed in the daylight…
Held hands…
And despite the stares, the laughter…
We chose to love.
Unapologetically.
This world tries to quiet us,
but we won’t shrink.
We love boldly and loudly.
On dance floors and on kitchen tables.
We will kiss without fear.
We carve our names in places,
Where the sunlight will…
catch us when we fall.
We will stand taller…
And sometimes life seems messy.
But God, how beautiful it is.
How beautiful we are.
Our bodies…
Our scars and…
And every inch that has been loved.
Doubted…
And reclaimed.
How we move through this world…
Worthy…
Joyful…
Together.
No masks.
Truthfully being who we are.
That radiant smile of yours,
Bringing sparkles in their eyes.
I remember the first time we felt free.
We kissed in the daylight…
Held hands…
And despite the stares, the laughter…
We chose to love.
Unapologetically.
This world tries to quiet us,
but we won’t shrink.
We love boldly and loudly.
On dance floors and on kitchen tables.
We will kiss without fear.
We carve our names in places,
Where the sunlight will…
catch us when we fall.
We will stand taller…
And sometimes life seems messy.
But God, how beautiful it is.
How beautiful we are.
Our bodies…
Our scars and…
And every inch that has been loved.
Doubted…
And reclaimed.
How we move through this world…
Worthy…
Joyful…
Together.
No masks.
Truthfully being who we are.
SHOT AND DIRECTED BY MARTIJN MENDEL
based on and part of LUCA-ANDREA TESSARINI'S ‘manifesto’ for the origen festival cultural
based on and part of LUCA-ANDREA TESSARINI'S ‘manifesto’ for the origen festival cultural
i’m so grateful to everyone involved making it possible for us to create something so vulnerable and personal. - "if i were to write a manifesto, it would speak of the trust in the connection to the people i surround myself with. my refuge, here it comes..”
CZNSTUDIOS | CAMPAIGN A/W24
CREATIVE DIRECTION BY MARTIJN MENDEL
SHOT BY MARTIJN MENDEL
SHOT BY MARTIJN MENDEL
For the A/W Campaign marking the launch of a new salon, we reimagined the very first CZNSTUDIOS Campaign image. We brought real cacti into the studio and used AI to reshape them into bold, abstract forms that resembled the haircuts we created alongside them. It demonstrates that AI isn’t a replacement for artists but a tool that can collaborate with and expand their creative possibilities.
CZNSTUDIOS | CAMPAIGN
CREATIVE DIRECTION BY MARTIJN MENDEL
SHOT BY MARTIJN MENDEL
ASSISTANT DANIEL ROLLISSON
SHOT BY MARTIJN MENDEL
ASSISTANT DANIEL ROLLISSON
CZNSTUDIOS | AW 2024 CAMPAIGN
SHOT AND DIRECTED BY MARTIJN MENDEL
CINEMATOGRPAPHY BY GERMÁN-MARTÍNEZ
1ST AC ANGELUS
GAFFERS THEO AMMANN - AUGUSTÍN BRUZZESE
VIDEO TECHNICIAN OLE VALENTIN SCHWARTZ
PHOTOGRAPHY YORAN VAN ROSSUM
EDITING GERMÁN-MARTÍNEZ - MARTIJN MENDEL
COLOR GRADE GERMÁN-MARTÍNEZ
MUSIC LYNY & FLYBASS
CINEMATOGRPAPHY BY GERMÁN-MARTÍNEZ
1ST AC ANGELUS
GAFFERS THEO AMMANN - AUGUSTÍN BRUZZESE
VIDEO TECHNICIAN OLE VALENTIN SCHWARTZ
PHOTOGRAPHY YORAN VAN ROSSUM
EDITING GERMÁN-MARTÍNEZ - MARTIJN MENDEL
COLOR GRADE GERMÁN-MARTÍNEZ
MUSIC LYNY & FLYBASS
editorial.
FUCKING YOUNG! MAGAZINE
Matthew and Matthijs at Known Model Management shot by Martijn Mendel, HAIR AND MAKE-UP BY BASTIEN ZORZETTO and styled by Joa Hitpass with pieces from MM6 Maison Margiela, Weekday, Stussy, New Rock, Schueller de Waal, Gosha Rubchinskiy, Burberry and more in exclusive for Fucking Young! .
Matthew and Matthijs at Known Model Management shot by Martijn Mendel, HAIR AND MAKE-UP BY BASTIEN ZORZETTO and styled by Joa Hitpass with pieces from MM6 Maison Margiela, Weekday, Stussy, New Rock, Schueller de Waal, Gosha Rubchinskiy, Burberry and more in exclusive for Fucking Young! .
"it is within the sun
and throughout the rain
in light
and out of the dark
that i’ll look for signs
for all there is
for me to find
is not in you
but in us."
and throughout the rain
in light
and out of the dark
that i’ll look for signs
for all there is
for me to find
is not in you
but in us."
“60 minutes of poetry personified. 60 minutes that wait only for me.”
CRAIG for CZNSTUDIOS
Shot by MARTIJN MENDEL
Shot by MARTIJN MENDEL
Have you seen it?
That radiant smile of yours,
Bringing sparkles in their eyes.
I remember the first time we felt free.
We kissed in the daylight…
Held hands…
And despite the stares, the laughter…
We chose to love.
Unapologetically.
This world tries to quiet us,
but we won’t shrink.
We love boldly and loudly.
On dance floors and on kitchen tables.
We will kiss without fear.
We carve our names in places,
Where the sunlight will…
catch us when we fall.
We will stand taller…
And sometimes life seems messy.
But God, how beautiful it is.
How beautiful we are.
Our bodies…
Our scars and…
And every inch that has been loved.
Doubted…
And reclaimed.
How we move through this world…
Worthy…
Joyful…
Together.
No masks.
Truthfully being who we are.
That radiant smile of yours,
Bringing sparkles in their eyes.
I remember the first time we felt free.
We kissed in the daylight…
Held hands…
And despite the stares, the laughter…
We chose to love.
Unapologetically.
This world tries to quiet us,
but we won’t shrink.
We love boldly and loudly.
On dance floors and on kitchen tables.
We will kiss without fear.
We carve our names in places,
Where the sunlight will…
catch us when we fall.
We will stand taller…
And sometimes life seems messy.
But God, how beautiful it is.
How beautiful we are.
Our bodies…
Our scars and…
And every inch that has been loved.
Doubted…
And reclaimed.
How we move through this world…
Worthy…
Joyful…
Together.
No masks.
Truthfully being who we are.
request commercial portfolio
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