OUR STORY

True originality emerges in moments of uninhibited self-expression. This beauty inspires Darren to celebrate our shared humanity.

  • What began with Amsterdam’s vibrant night culture has evolved into a
    once-in-a-lifetime journey across three continents, capturing moments of human connection.

    Inspired by ephemeral
    mayflies living intensely and briefly, Darren Smith sought out the core of originality at festivals and events around the world.

  • Mayflies Projects grid of 1,000 portrait participants

    120 iconic photographs, from the thousands taken, were selected to be published in a photo book by Lecturis Publishing.

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Each portrait is a visual declaration of individuality.

From the Mojave Desert’s swirling dust to Paris’s underground vogue ballrooms, Darren Smith captured those brave enough to be themselves.

Muerteada San Agustin Etla, Mexico 2023 Day of Dead, Mayflies Project

searching for the sublime

Our journey one of constant exploration—of self, of art, and of the stories that connect us all. Darren sought out festivals, spectacles and events worldwide that are breeding grounds for creatively and originality in our modern society.

Inspired by ephemeral mayflies, the tiny insects that, for one brief but consequential moment, they hatch, meet, mate, and then they're gone.

Aalst carnival parade, behind the scenes to mayflies project.

An invitation to create

From fleeting exchange in a Parisian night club, to a musician’s silent vulnerability before the lens in Berlin, or an impromptu portrait session at a remote arts gathering—each encounter has reinforced Darren's conviction that originality thrives in moments of uninhibited self-expression.

AUTHOR INFO

Darren Smith (b. 1984) is an American-born portrait photographer based in Amsterdam. His work explores identity, self-expression, and belonging, drawing from his small-town upbringing in the Appalachian mountains, where individuality often felt constrained.

Recognised for his striking studio portraits, Smith collaborates with brands, agencies, and production. companies across Europe and the United States.

"I search for originality in a homogenised world that increasingly values sameness. I believe everyone is an artist, and through my lens, I invite people to break from the expected and rediscover what makes us uniquely human. "

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HIS CREATIVE JOURNEY
You can check out all of Darren's work on his personal website