The projects offers a close-up view of the protests that have emerged following the start of construction work for the luxury development project by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump around Sazan Island and the Narta Lagoon. Through these protests, the flamingo has become a symbol of resistance against the policies of Prime Minister Edi Rama's government. For more than 60 days, demonstrations have taken place daily in Tirana. The photo series portrays protesters from different political backgrounds who are united in their shared goal of bringing a change of course for the country.
The project documents the day-to-day lives of the fire and ambulance service personnel. For 24 hours, they live alongside their colleagues at the station. Eating, exercising, watching TV or playing games on their mobiles – they do all of this together until the next call comes in. It is precisely at that moment that communication and teamwork are essential for coping with the physical and mental challenges.
In southern Albania Europe´s last wild river, the Vjosa, flows into the Mediterranean Sea, creating a unique ecosystem. The delta is home to over 2,300 known species. Since March 2023, the river has been declared national park, which grants the extraordinary biodiversity long term protection.
At the same time, Albania‘s pro-European government under Prime Minister Edi Rama wants to expand tourism to further boost its growing economy.
Vlora International Airport is currently under construction in the middle of the Vjosa Delta. Yearly, it is expected to bring in over 600,000 tourists to the long beaches of the Adriatic coast. One of the investors is Jared Kushner, who is planning a 1,100-hectare luxury resort on the Narta Lagoon and further developments on the island of Sazan. Environmental organisations such as EcoAlbania, PPNEA and EuroNatur have been studying the Vjosa for years and know how harmful the new developments could be for the ecosystem along the river. Supported by researchers from Tirana and Vienna, they are campaigning against the construction projects. While locals hope for new economic possibilities, they still worry about the nature they call home.
This work sheds light on life in the delta and the tension between nature conservation, economic investment and local perspectives.
in cooperation with Mats Marten Flottmann
This series follows the life and work of rangers in Vashlovani National Park, Georgia. The terrain and arid climate shape life in this rural area in an incredible way: Vashlovani‘s vast landscape, canyons and semi-deserts are reminiscent of the US Badlands. Shepherds and farmers share their land with wildlife of the Southern Caucasus, Europe‘s last remaining hotspot of biodiversity.
My grandad has dementia. It’s been really noticeable since the summer of 2024. There were weeks when everything was calm, weeks when none of us could sleep at night, and yet, despite all that, we went back to his homeland in Italy again this year. The photographs are part of the long-term project ‘Schmeckt nach Papier’ and offer a glimpse into a journey into the past. Symbolically, home represents memory and change – of what once was and what may no longer be.
in cooperation with Lisa-Marie Eichholz
We celebrated the premiere of our fashion film on 20 June 26 at the @flimmerfest in Hamburg!!
Konzept @fynndortona @lisamarieeicholz
Talent @maxvanbroek
Regie @fynndortona
DoP @lisamarieeichholz
Modedesign @sinaostermann_so
Hair and Makeup @_karunq
Kostüm @actimeliisiert @sinaostermann_so
Montage @lisamarieeichholz
Colorgrading @tomtellini
A production by Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts, supervised by Kai Jünemann, Bert Bartel and Henk Drees.
Fynn D’Ortona
info@fynndortona.com
Instagram @fynndortona
Fynn D'Ortona, born in 2002, is a German Documentary Photographer studying for a bachelor's degree at the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
He is based in Dortmund and available for assignments all over Germany.
Member of the fotobus society.
Photography at the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts
Since 2022
Workshop Rob Hornstra via Dortmund Kreativ
2025
Awards
Deutscher Jugendfotopreis
2026
Publications
Young Professionals 2026
published by Freelens
2026
Schmeckt nach Papier
Selfpublished
2026
Deutscher Jugendfotopreis
Kunst im Tunnel, Düsseldorf Germany
Sep. - Nov. 2026
re:vue screening
Galerie Huit, Arles France
July 2026
Money & Money & Money
by Runde Ecke
Showroom Kunst, Bochum Germany
December 2025
Albania hopeful horizons & burdened lands
Hans C, Dortmund
Germany
November 2025
Zwischen Ems und Abbruzzen
44309gallery, Dortmund Germany
September 2025
Within Reach
Superraum, Dortmund Germany
December 2024