Issue 94 - April 2023

Photographer Robbert Ridderbeekx (The Netherlands)
Can you tell us a little about you? I am a portrait photographer from the Netherlands. I have always loved photography,
but I chose another career path first. I have worked almost 26 years in the automotive field as an engineer. I’ve
always wondered if I would be able to do this for a living, doing what I love. So when I found myself at a crossroad in
2022 at my job, I finally decided to take the jump and try building a business as a fulltime photographer. With the
support from my family I have been doing so since late 2022.
How and when did you get into photography? In 2007 I bought my first DSLR to get myself acquainted with all the
camera settings and bring my photography to a higher level. I took some workshops and evening courses over the
next couple of years. But never had a full education in photography, mostly it was trial and error and learning as you
go. In those early years I was photographing everything and gradually I found that I liked taking portraits the most.
The interaction with people and the responses I get when the final results are presented still puts a smile on my
face.
What does photography mean to you? I like creating something where there previously was nothing. I used to do
this at my job as an engineer, creating something with 3D CAD drawings was a part of the job I really liked. And I
have found that anytime I am creating something, this is most fulfilling for me. Photography is all about creating
something. Capturing that right moment when someone is looking their best and you see the perfect picture
unfolding through the lens, finetuning it and then capturing it feels great. Afterwards when editing in photoshop, I
can really lose myself in it. I’ll put some music on and I am able to clear my head whilst editing.
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Model Sharon Holtermans