ARTIST STATEMENT

In 2020, everything changed.

While cycling, I was hit by a car and landed on my head. The brain injury that followed made me unable to handle any stimuli, no light, no sound, no crowds. Everything came to a stop. In that silence, I found something I had known as a child: the way I saw the world. Curious, attentive, full of wonder, with love for all living things.

In nature, I could see again like I did back then, but more intensely. As if everything reached me on a deeper level, the colours, the light, the movement, the shapes. I felt them more strongly than ever before. What I found there felt familiar: my way of seeing from long ago.

As a child, I spent a lot of time in Africa, where my grandparents lived. That is where my love for nature and wildlife began. Shortly before my grandfather passed away, I told him I wanted to become a wildlife photographer. He squeezed my hand. It felt like he was saying,
"I've heard you. Go for it."

Today, my work goes beyond simply documenting wildlife. I try to reveal what makes each animal unique by playing with light, movement, form, and perspective, creating images that leave room for emotion, wonder, and surprise. I hope they invite people to pause, feel, and see beyond the obvious.

I see what others might walk past. Not because I look better, but differently, the way I did as a child.

Look with me. With curiosity, wonder, and love for nature.

EXHIBITIONS

  • Kunst10Daagse, Bergen, The Netherlands (2026)

  • Hungry Eye Fair × Amsterdam Fashion Week, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2026)

  • De Groene Camera, Pixperience Ouddorp, The Netherlands (2026)

  • Festival De L’Oiseau, Le Crotoy, France (2026)

  • Sony X Kiekie, Amersfoort, The Netherlands (2025)

  • Nature Photographer Of The Year (NPOTY), Ede, The Netherlands (2025)

  • Emotion’Ailes, Saint-Aubin Cathedral, Namur, Belgium (2025)

  • The Sands of All Seas Have a Number, Fülle Galería, Argentina (2025)

  • Bird Photographer Of The Year, Astley Hall, Chorley, UK (2025)

  • Bird Photographer Of The Year, Gallery Oldham, Manchester, UK (2025)

  • Bird Photographer Of The Year, Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, UK (2025)

  • Bird Photographer Of The Year, The Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock, UK (2025)

  • Bird Photographer Of The Year, Nature in Art, Gloucestershire, UK (2024)

  • Wendbaarheid (Agility), BMC Schiphol (2020)

  • Graduation Exhibition, Minerva Art Academy (2015)

  • The Return, Nicolaikerk, Appingedam (2013)

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

  • Golden Turtle Photo, Finalist (2026)

  • Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year, Weekly Selection (2026)

  • De Groene Camera, Honorable Mention 2x (2026)

  • Glanzichter, Top 20, (2026)

  • Festival De L’Oiseau, Fifth Place (2026)

  • Sony X Kiekie, First Prize (2025)

  • Nature Photographer Of The Year (NPOTY), Highly Commended, (2025)

  • Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY), Shortlisted (2025)

  • JRNY World Travel Photography Awards, Finalist (2025)

  • The Greater Kenya Wildlife Photographer, Shortlisted 3x (2025)

  • Emotion’Ailes, Nominated (2025)

  • World Water Day Photo Contest, Semi-finalist (2025)

  • Life Framer: Animal Kingdom, Editor’s Pick (2025)

  • Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY), Something Beautiful, Shortlisted (2025)

  • Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year, Weekly Selection (2025)

  • Pangolin Photo Challenge, Shortlisted (2025)

  • Bird Photographer of the Year (BirdPOTY), Highly Commended (2024)

  • Pangolin Photo Challenge, Shortlisted (2024)

  • Minerva Art Academy Prize, Nominated (2015)

  • Vrije vogels, First prize (2005)

TALKS, JURY WORK & PUBLICATIONS

  • Nature Photographer of the Year Festival, Speaker (2026)

  • Nature Photographer of the Year (NPOTY), Jury Member, 27,000+ entries reviewed (2026)

  • Natuurfotografie Magazine, Panning Wildlife, 6-page feature article, Issue 83 (2026)

  • De IJsselbode, Het Kontakt & Goudse Post, Press coverage of award-winning photography series (2026)

  • Het Kontakt Goudse Post, Press coverage of award-winning photography series (2026)

  • IJmuider Courant, Press coverage of award-winning photography series (2026)

  • RTV Gouwestad, Live radio Interview (2026)

  • Forbes, Feature on award-winning photograph (2025)

  • PetaPixel, Feature on award-winning photograph (2025)

  • Natuurfotografie Magazine, Feature on award-winning photograph (2025)

  • Vrije Vogels Magazine, Feature on award-winning photograph (2005)

EDUCATION

  • Print Performance, Kiekie Academy (2026)

  • Photography Coaching, Theo Bosboom (2025 & 2026)

  • My Artist DNA, Kiekie Academy (2025)

  • National Geographic Photography Masterclass , National Geographic, Netherlands, Amsterdam (Sept 2023-Dec 2023)

  • Bachelor’s in Graphic Design & Photography, Minerva Art Academy, Groningen (Sept 2011-June 2015)

  • Exchange Program in Graphic Design & Photography, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand (July 2013-Dec 2013)