Every year, in the month of May, life revolves around the Damask rose in Kelaat 'm Gouna, at the foot of the Atlas mountains. Suddenly, the streets are filled with a sweet, honey-like, floral scent. Children start to hand out rose petals out of nowhere, groups of women sing in the rose fields, trucks filled with rosebuds pass by and pink colours pop up under the heat of the sun. This year's Rose Queen (2023), Zohra Aït Daoud, took me for a morning walk in the rose bushes. Her mother joined during the walk and in a moment of rest, I shot her hands while holding these precious Damask roses.

Eva Donckers is a freelance photographer based in Antwerp, Belgium.

She works for various magazines, participated in exhibitions and joined residencies. Typically, her images capture the qualities of natural light where she spontaneously portrays people and that what surrounds them.  

evadonckers.be @evadonckers

• Edition of 5

• Printed on Canon Photo Paper Pro Luster, with archival quality

• 21.0 x 29.7 cm with white border as seen in preview