Q&A with Jan-Joseph Stok, Class of 1997 (École Jeannine Manuel Lille)
Jan-Joseph is a Dutch national and acclaimed photojournalist. As a graduate of the Class of 1997, he was one of the first cohorts of students to attend school at École Jeannine Manuel in Marcq-en-Barœul, Lille. After graduation, Jan-Joseph went on to pursue studies in photojournalism and European Studies in the Netherlands. In 2006, he was awarded the prestigious Canonprize for best photojournalist of the year under 30 at The Zilveren Camera. His work has since been featured in publications such as Le Monde, Le Monde Diplomatique, The Guardian, The Independent, Arte, Trouw, Het Parool , De Standaard etc.. Jan-Joseph is the co-author of two journalistic books featuring his work, one on coltan mining in the Congo (Blood Mobiles/Bloedmobieltjes, Coltan in Congo) and another on the conflict in Darfur (Welkom in Darfur, Dit is on leven). He is currently working on a third book based on Che Guevara's secret mission in the DRC.
Copyright: Jan-Joseph Stok. All rights reserved.
You attended École Jeannine Manuel Lille in the early days of its creation. What was that like?
Experimental! When I first started at the school, we had class in temporary buildings in Marcq-en-Barœul. We saw the school as it looks now being built. We even had to take a bus to the canteen—it was all such an adventure! I also remember the classes being very small, and yet very international. Our teachers were from all over the world.
What was your first assignment abroad as a photojournalist?
My first assignment abroad was in the Congo in 2005. I was sent there to document the role of a street theater in promoting democracy within local communities. My next assignment in the Congo was with Greenpeace, where I spent 21 days traveling on the Congo River. I’ve since been back 35 times. As a journalist, the more you go back to the same place, the more you understand what is at stake and what needs to be covered.
Can you tell us about your most memorable assignment?
That would have to be my work in Darfur. I went there twice illegally in 2008 and 2009 to cover the war. I traveled with rebels from the SLA (Sudan Liberation Army) to document the lives of ordinary citizens in the midst of the conflict. We were being regularly bombarded by missiles from Russian-made planes: it was one of the most dangerous experiences in my life. I documented these experiences in a book with Elwin Verheggen, a journalist colleague who was there with me: “Welcome to Darfur, This Is Our Lives” (Stichting LM Publishers, 2010).
How has the Covid-19 pandemic impacted your work?
Many of the communities I work with are very vulnerable to viruses like Covid-19, so it was almost impossible to travel without posing an unnecessary risk to them. I have been taking a lot more photographs here in the Netherlands, especially on the topic of plastic overuse in our society. I recently went on a boat that cleans the canals of Amsterdam. These are the kind of people that you never see but who do very important work. Being able to join these people on their early morning shift on the canals of Amsterdam was as special as a family of Pygmies welcoming me into their forest. Everybody has a story to tell and when people allow you into their world, it is truly magic. That is why I love my work. Being a photographer puts you in situations you would never find yourself in without the camera.
Any advice for students?
1. Do something where your heart is. We are all important—every profession in the world is important. Fulfillment comes from doing something you truly believe in.
2. Stay curious about the stories of others. When we get to know each other more, we understand each other better.
3. Be patient. Believe in yourself. Some projects will take two, three years to come to fruition. Be stubborn and go for it!
You can view more of Jan-Joseph’s work by visiting his official website or instagram page: