A Week of Photography 17: The Mystery of Hidden Portraits

Exploring the photography of hidden portraits: The power of expression without fully revealing faces

Last week, my friend, an actress, asked me to photograph a play she had created together with another actor. Of course, I immediately agreed – I never pass up opportunities like this.

But what intrigued me the most wasn’t just the performance itself, but rather the moments happening around it—expressions, gestures, and connections that tell stories without fully revealing the faces behind them.

Here, I’m sharing a selection of my best shots, focusing on hidden portraits—where emotions, movement, and light take center stage, allowing the viewer to feel the presence of the subjects without seeing them entirely. The only exception is the final image—a portrait of my daughter, who always fascinates me with her authenticity in front of the camera. In that moment, it feels as if we completely understand each other, beyond words or expressions.

I hope you enjoy these photos. Maybe this series will inspire you to explore how hidden portraits can be just as powerful as those fully revealed—proving that sometimes, what remains unseen speaks the loudest.

All of these photographs I took with a Fujifilm X-E4 paired with a 27mm f/2.8 lens, and a Fujifilm X-H2 using the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 lens.

Thank you for reading my story.

A cup, though emptied, holds the infinite potential to be filled again—and you can fill it up, if you please. Thank you for your support. 💛

About the Author: I am a passionate photographer and a philosopher of both photography and life, a TEDx speaker, a Master of Molecular Biology, and a product manager. I curate two newsletters: Lens Chronicles, where I explore the intersections of photography, travel, and philosophy, and Thoughtful Corner, where I share ideas, reflections, and insights for curious minds. Thank you for taking the time to enjoy my work.