COTM | BTG SHORTLIST 2025
EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHER AWARD

Marijn Fidder
Left Behind
Marijn Fidder (b. 1997) is a Dutch documentary photographer who focuses on current affairs and contemporary social issues. She uses photography to speak on behalf of the voiceless, and to advocate for the rights of all who are vulnerable. Her work has appeared in National Geographic Netherlands, CNN Style, NRC Handelsblad, Het Financieele Dagblad, Evangelische Omroep, GUP New Talent and ZEIT Magazin, among others. Her work has received multiple awards, including from the Zilveren Camera and World Press Photo Award.
Left Behind
As the European Union expands eastward, many parents from Eastern Europe move to Western Europe to find better jobs. They often have to leave their children behind in their home countries. These children are usually cared for by grandparents or other relatives, but many feel abandoned and insecure without their parents. The parents also suffer. They miss birthdays, important moments, and everyday life with their kids, all while working long hours in a foreign country. This distance puts a strain on families. It shows a side of economic migration that is often forgotten: the emotional pain and quiet sacrifices made in the hope of a better future.







