For me, photography is about making a connection, really seeing people, understanding them, capturing them and being inspired. I've been fascinated by the little things in life since I was a small child. Flowers in bloom, a lovely day to be outdoors, the connection between people and natural light in all its facets. I prefer to photograph people intuitively, as authentically as possible. I want to know what kind of person you are, who is hiding behind that appearance? Connectedness, love, unity, trust... I see all that from behind my lens.

And to me, this is what it's all really about. Not the materialistic things, but everything we experience. My goal is to make those intangible moments tangible, so that we may cherish them for always.

The first time I realised that this was what I wanted to do was about six years ago now. I was photographing a one-year-old child and got a huge kick out of telling her story with the pictures.

I've followed that child through the years and I still regularly tell her story. It was so special for me, to be able to actually record what I saw. And the parents' reactions only reinforced that feeling.

At the time, I was a full-time teacher and photography was something I did next to my work. Slowly but surely, the photography became an increasingly important part of my life. After a couple of years, the balance was 50/50. In the end, I became a full-time photographer in 2019. It's incredibly powerful to be able to concentrate on something which is your passion.

Even as a teacher, I found observing children interesting and fun and that experience comes in handy in my photography too. It's so lovely to see who a child is and then try to record it in the image. And of course, this doesn't only apply to children. I just love getting to know the person in front of my camera, whether it's a child or an adult.

For me, photography is about making a connection, really seeing people, understanding them, capturing them and being inspired. I've been fascinated by the little things in life since I was a small child. Flowers in bloom, a lovely day to be outdoors, the connection between people and natural light in all its facets. I prefer to photograph people intuitively, as authentically as possible. I want to know what kind of person you are, who is hiding behind that appearance? Connectedness, love, unity, trust... I see all that from behind my lens.

And to me, this is what it's all really about. Not the materialistic things, but everything we experience. My goal is to make those intangible moments tangible, so that we may cherish them for always.

The first time I realised that this was what I wanted to do was about six years ago now. I was photographing a one-year-old child and got a huge kick out of telling her story with the pictures.

I've followed that child through the years and I still regularly tell her story. It was so special for me, to be able to actually record what I saw. And the parents' reactions only reinforced that feeling.
At the time, I was a full-time teacher and photography was something I did next to my work. Slowly but surely, the photography became an increasingly important part of my life. After a couple of years, the balance was 50/50. In the end, I became a full-time photographer in 2019. It's incredibly powerful to be able to concentrate on something which is your passion.

Even as a teacher, I found observing children interesting and fun and that experience comes in handy in my photography too. It's so lovely to see who a child is and then try to record it in the image. And of course, this doesn't only apply to children. I just love getting to know the person in front of my camera, whether it's a child or an adult.

elke foto vertelt

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I live in Mariahout, a tiny village in the south of the Netherlands
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I live there together with Stan, my boyfriend, and our sweet little son Billy
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I'm quite tall, 1.79 meters to be exact
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I will eat almost anything. The only exceptions are milk and coriander (though I do keep trying the latter)
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I'm not a very good singer, and for that reason I thought, why don’t I take singing lessons?

Five things about me:

Feel the fear and
do it anyway!

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

my motto:

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A loved one who looks at me, and we understand each other without having to say anything;
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A walk in the woods;
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Drinking good coffee in nice surroundings;
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Products which have been carefully thought about, with a story, an experience in itself;
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Watching the sunrise from our house;
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Discovering new places, far away and nearby;
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Eating in places where everything is just right and the flavors on my tongue come together like a symphony;
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Music in my headphones and letting myself be transported by the lyrics and the sounds;
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Lazy breakfast with the love of my life on Sunday mornings;
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The sincerity and honesty of children;
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Feeling like it's enough just to be there. For myself and for those around me.

AN ELECTRIC IMPULSe tO MY HEART, OR TEARS Of JOY:

AN ELECTRIC
IMPULSe TO MY HEART,
OR TEARS Of JOY:

@elkeverbruggenfotografie

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