Chantal Heijnen

Chantal Heijnen (1976, The Netherlands) is a visual storyteller who uses photography to build connections on both sides of the lens. She holds a BA in Social Work and Photography. Her career as a social worker greatly informs her observant and collaborative approach to imagemaking. Chantal is also an educator. She teaches teen programs at the International Center of Photography, and in New York City shelters with Lantern Community Services where she uses photography as a tool to work with New Yorkers in shelters who are impacted by or threatened with homelessness.

Chantal’s documentary and portrait work has been published in international newspapers and magazines, such as The New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, Stern Magazine, and Vrij Nederland. She has been exhibited internationally at LagosPhoto Festival, FotoFestival Naarden, FOAM, Bronx Documentary Center, Andrew Freedman Home and Photoville. She self-published two books ‘Ghost Republic Somaliland’ in 2012 and ‘Lou’s Summer’ in 2021, which is part of the Inaugural Photography Triennial at Museum of the City of New York.