maatsfoto

Maatsfoto is a Dutch term that can refer to a group photograph involving peers or a social circle. The exact meaning is not fixed and the term is not widely standardized in dictionaries, so its use tends to be regional, informal, or context-dependent. In practice, maatsfoto often denotes images of friends, classmates, teammates, or colleagues together, emphasizing camaraderie and group identity rather than formal portraiture.

Etymology and variants suggest it derives from maat or maatjes, meaning friend or buddy, combined with -foto to indicate photography. Because it is not a fixed dictionary entry, maatsfoto can be used loosely to describe any casual or candid group photo among people who know each other, rather than an official class portrait or corporate headshot.

Typical contexts include schools or student groups, sports clubs, workplaces with close-knit teams, and online sharing among peer groups. In media or social media captions, maatsfoto may be used to convey a sense of togetherness, fun, and shared experience. The term can overlap with more general terms like groepsfoto (group photo) or klasfoto (class photo), but maatsfoto often carries a more informal or affectionate connotation.

See also

Groepsfoto, Klasfoto, Portret

Notes

Because maatsfoto is not a formal term with a fixed definition, its exact meaning can vary by speaker and region. When using the word, consider your audience and whether a more precise term (such as groepsfoto or klasfoto) would be clearer.