Beautiful Creatures

2 a.m. in a packed club. Bodies pressed together. Sweat dripping down the wall. The music is loud; the lights are low. ‘Can I take a polaroid ofyou?’ Photographer Peter van der Wal, also known as The Sinful Son, leads you backstage, away from the noise. No strobe, no smoke. Just a white wall, a warm flash. The queer body, radiant and unapologetic.

With his iconic Big Shot Polaroid and vintage flashcubes, Van der Wal has captured hundreds of intimate moments across Amsterdam, Berlin, London and beyond. DJs, dancers, lovers, strangers, all part of the same ritual. What began with a simple question evolved into a striking portrait series and a colourful celebration of the international queer community.

Beautiful Creatures is a tribute to queer nightlife. A love letter to freedom, hedonism, diversity, chosen families and the right to be seen – told through more than 350 Polaroids, intimate stories and lived experiences.