Peter Weldam, also known as Petersz, was born in 1977 in Overvecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Photography has always been a common thread throughout his life.
After years of adventures in Utrecht’s nightlife scene, touring with the Utrecht-based band C-mon & Kypski, serving as an honorary member and mascot of DJ collective Boemklatsch, and spending countless nights at the old Tivoli music venue, his focus gradually shifted towards photography.
What began as quick snapshots of Utrecht nightlife taken with his phone evolved over the past seven years into a serious passion for documentary, street and reportage photography, with a particular interest in people.
After attending some courses and workshops, Including Stichting Statief, Petersz developed his own distinctive and often raw style, in which human encounters take centre stage.
His work focuses on people, everyday situations and the stories that emerge from unexpected encounters. He has a natural ability to work as a fly on the wall: being present without drawing attention to himself or disrupting the moment.
By observing quietly and allowing situations to unfold naturally, he captures authentic moments, genuine emotions and the character of the people he photographs.
An important source of inspiration is his broad social circle.
A close group of friends filled with creative and diverse individuals, musicians, photographers, artists and filmmakers.
But the local protester, the drag queen at a party, or the grandmother walking her dog also fall within the scope of his lens.
It is precisely this diversity that forms the core of his work: photographs that tell stories about friendship, chance encounters and fleeting conversations.
Petersz draws inspiration from photographers who capture people, subcultures and everyday life with an authentic and distinctive perspective. The raw, spontaneous energy of Ed van der Elsken, the intimate documentation of street culture by Martha Cooper, and the sharp human observations of Jan Dirk van der Burg have influenced the way he looks at photography. Sometimes with humor, sometimes serious.
He admires how they approach their subjects with curiosity, openness and a strong personal voice, finding stories in both the extraordinary and the everyday. Their work encourages him to step into people's worlds, build connections and capture moments
Petersz is currently working on a year-long documentary photography project at Comedyhuis, a new comedy club in Utrecht. With fly-on-the-wall, all-access, he is documenting the club's entire first year, from the people working behind the scenes to established and prominent comedians taking the stage. His photography captures life across the entire venue, from performances and audience interactions to backstage moments, dressing rooms and the everyday encounters that bring the comedy club to life. By moving naturally between the stage and backstage, he aims to document the people and stories behind the club without disrupting the moments he encounters.
Alongside this ongoing project, Petersz big wish is to realise "Panda People" in the future as an international documentary series. Focusing on owners of the first-generation Fiat Panda, the project is ultimately about the people themselves: their personalities, stories, identities and personal connections with their cars. The Fiat Panda is a detail and a starting point for exploring human experiences. From an elderly French farmer driving his old Panda through his vineyard to a well-dressed Italian woman still using hers for the weekly groceries, the project aims to reveal the diverse lives and characters behind these iconic cars. Petersz hopes to bring the project to life across different countries and cultures.
Petersz previously published his photography book Peepzshow, with its release in late November 2025 resulting in an exhibition celebrating the project. Rooted in the encounters that have shaped his work, the book and exhibition explore the human stories, characters and unexpected moments found in everyday life. His photography continues to focus on authentic connections and the people behind the photographs.
EXPO:
2025 - Expo Peepzshow - ZIMIHC / Kunstgras - Utrecht
expect 2027 - 1 year "Comedyhuis"
BOOK:
2025 - Book "PEEPZHOW" - Published independently