Living in Amsterdam for five years immersed me in an underground music fairytale, where every club tells a story both sonically and visually. Lifetime celebrates Amsterdam's vibrant rave scene and its beautiful dancers, honoring the culture of dance music and the Dutch forward-thinking approach to transforming old spaces into new, electrifying ones. Inspired by the club Levenslang (Dutch for "life sentence")—a former prison turned into a pulsating venue on the southeast side of the city—this project is a tribute to its character, vibrance, and the innovative spirit of Amsterdam’s nightlife.

Each character in the story represents a certain type of raver, each with their own distinct dance moves, creating a dance of freedom in a space where freedom was once stripped away. This juxtaposition encapsulates Amsterdam’s openness to partying and celebrating life—a concept rooted in Dutch culture since the late 1980s, when raves began to flourish as an expression of liberation and creativity.

The accompanying film for this shoot has garnered significant recognition: winning Best Art Film at the Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival, becoming a finalist at the Rome Music Video Awards, and receiving an Honorable Mention at the Berlin Music Video Awards. This project is both a celebration and a reflection of the city’s deep connection to dance music and its enduring legacy of openness and innovation.

Credits:

Director/writer: Joiah Luminosa

Editor-in-chief: Timotej Letonja

Photography: Arnaud Moro

Stylist: Hakan Poseidon

Makeup: Marjolein Van Dijk

Makeup assistant: Stijn Van Der Ploeg

Hair: Wiardi Koopmeiners & Mila Martins

Production: Dean Sanders

Special thanks to Daniel Brinkman

Location: Levenslang, Amsterdam

Media: Numéro Netherlands - 9th issue