Yoppy Pieter is a visual storyteller and educator based in Jakarta, Indonesia, with over a decade of experience capturing the intricacies of identity, gender, environmental and health issues. Pieter’s journey into photography began with a passion for highlighting often unnoticed stories, which has deepened his commitment to storytelling that drives social change. Throughout his career, Pieter has had the privilege of collaborating with respected organizations. In 2020, he received funding from the National Geographic Society to document the effects of COVID-19 on vulnerable transgender communities in Indonesia. In 2022, the Society granted him funding to develop a visual narrative about a group of women involved in conservation in Aceh, a province that practices Islamic law. The following year, he partnered with Oxford University Clinical Research (OUCRU) Indonesia to investigate the rise of undetected leprosy cases in Sumba, West Nusa Tenggara. In 2024, he collaborated with the Wellcome Trust Fund to document how Indonesia is using mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia to combat the spread of dengue fever.

As an educator, Pieter co-founded Arkademy, a platform promoting photography as a tool for self-exploration and societal critique. Additionally, he created the Instagram platform Heterogenic to celebrate the diversity of Indonesian visual culture and foster discussion. As he continues this journey, he remains dedicated to using his lens to shed light on vital narratives that inspire understanding and compassion.

Photo by Johan Prayoga