I am a 24-year-old award-winning photographer based in Ghent, Belgium. Around the age of 16, photography became a more serious hobby, and soon recognition for my work followed.
Growing up in Kalmthout, Belgium, nature was close to my doorstep. The Kalmthoutse Heide was the perfect place to experiment with different photography techniques. I started to study Biology in Ghent in 2018. The focus of my photography changed. More and more, I tried to find beauty in ugly places in the city.
At the same time, I developed a fascination for wilderness and dramatic landscapes. I traveled alone to Shetland and hiked solo through the Aosta Valley. These trips provided me insight into what wilderness is, or whether it even exists. From 2021 to 2022, I studied for one academic year in Oulu, Finland, and traveled several times to Sapmi (also known as Lapland) in search of wild landscapes. More and more, I realized wilderness does not exist, and that it is a concept invented by people to escape from everyday life. We, humans, are part of nature.
I received my Master's degree in Biology in 2023. Since then, I have 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 - Runner-up Black and white category
Aves Emotion d'ailes - Finalist Black and white category
2017
Groene camera - Finalist Youth category
Aves Emotion d'ailes - Finalist Youth category
Lowland photographer of the year - Finalist Youth category
Publications, expo's and talks
2023
Talk about Belgian nature and creative photography, Natuurpunt Gent
Talk about nature and wildlife in the North, Natuurpunt Noorderkempen
2022
Talk about dotterels and Lapland birdlife, Natuurpunt Noorderkempen birding group
Online talk about dotterels and lapland birdlife, Oulu birding group
2021
Article Natuurfotografie magazine about the Kalmthoutse Heide nr3
Short interview Natuurfotografie magazine nr 4
2019
Expo Bourse des Jeunes Nature Namur
Coverphoto Landschap magazine nr.3
Expo Lowland Photofestival
2018
Talk at Lowland Photofestival about experimental photography together with Rick van der Kraats
Poster Natuurpunt butterfly count
Photo of the month, Natuurpunt magazine edition Autumn