Emily Portraits of Hope – Markus Hofstätter's blog

When I first planned to photograph Emily, I expected to tell the story of a young Ukrainian model exploring the world. But as soon as she arrived with her mother, I realized the real story was far deeper.
Emily is just 16, but she’s full of energy and excitement, and at the same time, she seems wise beyond her years. Her laughter is real, and she’s down-to-earth. Even though she’s young, there’s a quiet strength in her—a kind of toughness that comes from living through things most of us can’t really imagine.
We sat down for coffee afterwards and started talking about home. When Emily talked about going back to Ukraine, her whole face lit up. She really misses it. But underneath her happiness, there’s a harder truth: her dad is still in Ukraine, taking care of her grandparents. Their daily life is still touched by the war, with soldiers nearby and nights that don’t always feel safe.
When her mom spoke about these dangers, her voice was steady and calm, like it was just a normal part of life. That really struck me. It’s amazing how something so serious can become part of someone’s everyday routine.
What moved me most wasn’t just their bravery, but their hope. Even though they live with so much uncertainty, I had the feeling that Emily and her family still believe that peace is possible. They show that you can keep dreaming and finding joy, even when things are tough. Their story proves how strong people can be, how they keep hoping, and how they look forward to better days.
With these portraits, I want to share not just how beautiful and strong Emily is, but also a simple message: peace isn’t just a big idea—it’s something people like Emily and her family work for every day, just by holding on to hope. Their strength inspires me, and I hope it inspires others to believe in peace, too.

Together, these portraits show how Emily slowly comes out of her shell, from the protective veil of uncertainty to the full light of hope and self-expression. Emily’s journey is a universal one—a visual metaphor for the courage it takes to move toward peace, one layer at a time.

This series was created using the historic collodion wet plate process, a technique that demands patience, focus, and trust between photographer and the sitter.

By blending this timeless photographic method with a present-day story, the series bridges past and present, honoring both the enduring nature of human strength and the ongoing quest for peace.

Protection
Emily’s face is partly hidden by her hair, but her eyes look out with quiet strength. Even though she seems a bit guarded, you can sense her determination. Her hair acts like a soft shield, showing how she protects herself, but there’s power in the way she faces the world, even from behind this curtain.

Trust
Emily’s hair still covers much of her face, but now her eyes meet the camera with even more strength. She’s is opening up, showing the first signs of trust. Even while she’s careful, there’s a strong will in her gaze, as if she’s ready to let hope and courage push through.

Strength
Now that more of Emily’s face is visible, you can really see her strength. She looks straight at the camera, sure of herself and unafraid. This moment shows her letting go of doubt and standing tall, ready to show the world who she is.
This is the only wet plate collodion negative of this series, Its unique tonality and depth serving as a powerful counterpoint, a reminder that even in the shadows, resilience and hope endure.

Unafraid
Her hair no longer hides her face, but gently frames it. Emily’s look is open and strong. This photo feels like a turning point – you can see her strength and her journey toward healing and peace.

Free
In the final portrait, Emily stands freely for a full ten seconds during the exposure. The slight blur (10 second exposure) in the image captures both her movement and her freedom—a living sign of her courage to stand tall, even when the world around her is uncertain.

I also captured some digital portraits of Emily using my Leica M11. While the medium is different, the approach shares surprising similarities with the wet plate process. Working with the shallow depth of field and manual focusing demands the same patience and careful attention that makes each moment feel deliberate and intentional. This thoughtful pace creates an intimate portrait session that mirrors the contemplative nature of analog large format photography—proving that sometimes, it’s not just the equipment that shapes the experience, but how we choose to use it.