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Simon Vandepitte is a 24-year-old award-winning photographer based in Ghent, Belgium. He started taking photography seriously around the age of 16, and soon and soon recognition for his work followed.
Growing up in Kalmthout, Belgium, nature was close to his doorstep. The Kalmthoutse heide was the perfect place to experiment with different photography techniques. Simon started to study Biology in Ghent in 2018, and therefore, the focus of his photography changed. More and more, Simon tried to find beauty in ugly places in the city.
At the same time, Simon developed a fascination for wilderness and dramatic landscapes. He travelled alone to Shetland and hiked solo through the Aosta Valley. These trips provided him insight into what wilderness is, and whether it even exists. From 2021 to 2022, Simon studied for one academic year in Oulu, Finland, and travelled several times to Sapmi (also known as Lapland) in search of wild landscapes. More and more, Simon realised wilderness does not exist, and that it is a concept invented by people to escape from everyday life. We, humans, are part of nature.
Simon received his Master's degree in Biology in 2023. Since then, Simon has been looking for ways to combine photography, creativity, and science, hoping to inform and convince people of the importance of a healthy ecosystem around them.
Awards
2022
Lowland photographer of the year - Runner-up Abstract, Composition and shapes category
2019
Festival Nature Namur - Winner Bourse des jeunes
Lowland photographer of the year - Runner-up Insects category
2018
Natuurpunt Argus - Winner Youth category
Groene camera - Finalist Black and white category
Aves Emotion d'ailes - Finalist Black and white category
2017
Groene camera - Finalist Youth category
Lowland photographer of the year - Finalist Youth category
