What is hidden under the uniform: girls from the Netherlands Navy in uniform and without it

Photographer Vivian Koylards was born and raised in the Netherlands. In 1995, she received a master's degree in communications from the University of Nijmegen, and in 2009 she successfully graduated from the Photo Academy in Amsterdam. Vivian says that all her works are dedicated to people. She likes to meet people, preferably in new places for her: she is fascinated by their self-awareness, their external image, their views on life or death.

Source: viviankeulards.nl

A photo project called "Behind Her Uniform" is dedicated to girls who serve in the Dutch Navy.

"People in uniform always stand out from the crowd and make an impression, but we tend to forget about the human essence that hides behind the uniform.

For the first time I encountered such a feeling when my young neighbor grew into a completely independent woman and joined the ranks of the Navy. Now she has an officer's rank, and if I see her in uniform, I can't believe that she is the same person as the cheerful little girl I have known since childhood. It sounds silly, I agree, because she is still a very bright and lively girl. It's just that the shape affects my perception so much.

This idea intrigued me, and I decided to make several portraits of girls serving in the Netherlands Navy in two different situations: first in uniform near their barracks, and then in civilian clothes at their home," Vivian said.