Derek and Quentin, 29-year-old twins from Indiana, have carved out a unique existence living in a tent nestled in the woods behind a friend’s trailer home. Photographer Robin du Puy found them when she was passing through Elkhart, Indiana. Their unusual way of life first intrigued him. That fortuitous meeting of the minds has blossomed into an influential and important multimedia photography project. Its purpose is to chronicle the twins’ incredible lives and the obstacles they face daily.
Derek and Quentin’s decision to live off-the-grid in the woods becomes not just a home, but a refuge. Their lifestyle further exposes the intricacies of their family history. Their mother continues to fight this horrible, horrible mental health disease. This ongoing battle has prevented her from putting down roots anywhere. The twins’ father succumbed to an overdose a few years back. This tragedy has deeply changed their lives. Through it all, the twins have grown an incredible bond. They bond through their shared struggles and draw confidence from each other.
Robin du Puy, along with her husband, initiated a photography project that spans from 2022 to 2024, focusing on the twins’ lives and stories. On each of her visits, she made beautiful portraits of Derek and Quentin. She didn’t just replicate their physical appearances, but articulated the feelings that govern their lives on a daily basis. It’s not hard to tell the twins apart, given their strikingly different demeanors. For example, Quentin has a small star tattoo under his eye which gives a cool flair to his unique individuality.
In addition to capturing the family’s life on camera, du Puy shot in-depth interviews with both Derek and Quentin. These sessions offered rich glimpses into their narratives, while illuminating the strength and humor they represent in the face of their situations. The twins’ eyes popped wide as saucers when du Puy revealed her origins in Amsterdam. Their enthusiasm hardly masked their eagerness to break the ice with others far beyond their local communities.
During the months of work spent on the project, du Puy has had close and constant contact with Derek and Quentin. Her devotion to preserving their experience has transformed their relationship. It’s a bond that reverberates the bonds she grew while traveling on the ground in America. Du Puy’s dedication goes beyond mere photography. She speaks to Derek and Quentin daily, ensuring they feel supported and understood amid their struggles.
“If this is true.” – Robin du Puy
This simple phrase goes right to the heart of du Puy’s project. It underscores the unpredictability that permeates Derek and Quentin’s lives. Their story becomes one of more than survival, but rather the hope made possible by human connection and understanding.
The goal of the photography project is to bring exposure to the daily lives of those who make up society’s margins. It calls for greater understanding of the impact of mental health conditions and societal pressures that can result in such extreme ways of living. Du Puy’s visual storytelling evokes the challenges and the strength of people who live with and resist these conditions.