Personal Projects

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Pride on the Prinsengracht: Capturing Amsterdam’s Most Joyful Parade

Every August, something extraordinary flows through the canals of Amsterdam. The air is charged with joy, celebration, and a powerful sense of belonging. In 2024, I stood on a bridge over the Prinsengracht, camera in hand, documenting the first boats of the Pride Amsterdam Canal Parade.

It wasn’t part of my usual work, I’m a vacation and branding photographer in Amsterdam, but this day felt different. It was personal. I used to photograph events in Peru, and this was a chance to reconnect with that part of my journey. Alone on the bridge, I wasn’t there to make content for clients or create a viral moment. I was there to witness.

With the Westertoren as my backdrop and the boats approaching from afar, I positioned myself where the light could work with me, not against me. It’s something I’ve learned from photographing people in natural light over the years: light direction changes quickly, especially outdoors, so you prepare for balance and movement. I focused on the performers, their energy, outfits, and connection with the crowd, and the environment that wrapped around them like a ribbon of color.

The bridge was packed, the heat was real, and holding your spot took determination. I could only stay for the first few boats, but even those were enough to feel the emotion vibrating through the city. The faces, the joy, the proud stillness in between the dancing. It was a gift to witness.

I curated these images with care. Each one shows what I saw that day: celebration, love, defiance, fun. And yet, I know there’s more I could show.

I'm not so secretly wishing that I could photograph Pride Amsterdam from a boat, inside the parade, not only to get closer to the performers, but to capture the people on the bridges, the cheering, the shared energy that connects everyone across the canal. To show what it feels like from the heart of it, not just the edge.

This post is part of that dream. I want to contribute to telling the story of Pride through images that feel human, thoughtful, and alive. Pride is a celebration, yes, but also a reminder of who we are when we’re free to be fully ourselves.

And to everyone reading: mark your calendars. Pride is one of the most beautiful days to be in Amsterdam ans is coming soon on July 26th to August 3rd 2025, as Pride is a week, not only the canal parade.


Tot ziens (See you soon),


Joanna



Tags

pride amsterdam lgbtq+ events canal parade Amsterdam photography Event Photography Travel Photographer things to do in amsterdam amsterdam summer parade photography local photographer perspective

Colorful Pride Amsterdam 2024 flag waving on a pole with historic canal houses in the background and a partly cloudy sky.
Crowds gathered along the Prinsengracht canal in Amsterdam during the Canal Parade, with decorated boats and rainbow flags on a summer day.
Boats packed with people dressed in pink and rainbow colors celebrating Pride Amsterdam on the canal, with spectators lining the bridge and quay.
A small boat decorated with the Pride Amsterdam 2024 theme floats along the canal, featuring performers in baroque-style costumes and one playing a harp, with colorful party boats and crowds in the background.
Performer dancing on a decorated Pride boat approaching Prinsengracht, with rainbow details and crowds in the background.
Performer dancing on a decorated Pride boat approaching Prinsengracht, with rainbow details and crowds in the background.
Performer dancing on a decorated Pride boat approaching Prinsengracht, with rainbow details and crowds in the background.
Performer dancing on a decorated Pride boat approaching Prinsengracht, with rainbow details and crowds in the background.
Performer dancing on a decorated Pride boat approaching Prinsengracht, with rainbow details and crowds in the background.
A floating advertisement board on the canal during the Pride Parade with the message “You’re too hot to burn,” surrounded by colorful boats and a cheering crowd.
Amnesty International boat with bold yellow signage reading “Feest! Maar niet overal” (Party! But not everywhere) moving through the Pride Canal Parade.
View of a colorful Pride boat with dancers celebrating under clear skies, Westertoren visible in the distance.
View of a colorful Pride boat with dancers celebrating under clear skies, Westertoren visible in the distance.
Close-up of a performer waving a rainbow flag with joy, framed by the canal and historic buildings.
Smiling performer in colorful outfit engaging with the crowd, highlighting emotion and joy.
Wide-angle view of boats arriving at the canal parade, showing energy and movement in the scene.
Two dancers on a Pride boat mid-performance, surrounded by vibrant decorations and cheering crowds.
Wide-angle view of boats arriving at the canal parade, showing energy and movement in the scene.
Two dancers on a Pride boat mid-performance, surrounded by vibrant decorations and cheering crowds.
Two dancers on a Pride boat mid-performance, surrounded by vibrant decorations and cheering crowds.
Wide-angle view of boats arriving at the canal parade, showing energy and movement in the scene.
Wide-angle view of boats arriving at the canal parade, showing energy and movement in the scene.
Wide-angle view of boats arriving at the canal parade, showing energy and movement in the scene.
Boat entering frame on the canal, surrounded by people lining the bridges and edges of Prinsengracht.
Boat entering frame on the canal, surrounded by people lining the bridges and edges of Prinsengracht.
Performers dancing enthusiastically as the boat crosses under a bridge, with festive atmosphere around.
Performers dancing enthusiastically as the boat crosses under a bridge, with festive atmosphere around.
Performers dancing enthusiastically as the boat crosses under a bridge, with festive atmosphere around.
Performers dancing enthusiastically as the boat crosses under a bridge, with festive atmosphere around.

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