For my final exams at the Photography School, I wanted to highlight a subject that is close to me. I am very attached to the beautiful province in which I live. The water, the polders and the interconnectedness of our Zeeland pride. I also like to be in contact with other people. Nowadays, however, a lot is done via apps, social media and the internet. During this project I want to look for “real contact”. I also want to develop further photographically. I decided to go on a “RoadTrip” with my dog Seppe in my bright red Fiatje 500. I looked for a direction to drive in advance, but otherwise I was guided by my intuition and what happens along the way. My ultimate intention is to make portraits of people I meet. I wanted to be guided by “chance” and “something bigger than us”. I find it exciting not being able to plan, having to make do with the location, the time, the light of the moment and the “model” I find. I got inspiration from the documentary about Robin de Puy's RoadTrip. I really like the pure images she creates. The series “Belgicum” by Stefan Vanfleteren also gives me inspiration. During his “Artist Talk” on October 24, 2019 in the Arenberg Theater, he said he regularly goes to Charleroi to take photographs because the people there are still “pure” and “themselves”. There are those people in Zeeland too. I'm going to look for them!

Imagine an open road ahead of you, the wind in your hair and the promise of adventure in the sky. In my project, "Surprising Encounters: A Road Trip through Zeeland," I take you on a journey full of unexpected encounters and meaningful moments. With the beautiful backdrop of Zeeland as our canvas, we look for human connections that we encounter along the way and immortalize them in beautiful portraits. Each encounter is a story in itself, captured in a single image. With an open heart to the unexpected, I capture not only the physical appearance, but also the unique energy and emotions of each individual we encounter. From our picturesque coastal villages to vast fields, I want to explore the diversity and beauty of Zeeland. We approach every moment with curiosity and respect, with the intention of capturing the authenticity of the human experience. The result is more than just a photo; it is a window into a moment in time. Join me on my extraordinary journey, where every bend of the road offers a new opportunity to connect. Portraits that not only capture the diversity of Zeeland, but also the power of unexpected encounters. I have been to all parts of Zeeland and really enjoyed the encounters, the helpfulness and involvement of people. People are happy that they can help and then put aside their hesitation! I also received an unexpected amount of help from my circle of friends and acquaintances. On my first ride, a good friend of mine came along. I asked him to hold a reflection screen and separate flash. Others read my blog via Facebook and spontaneously offered to come along too! Super fun of course and that always created a different dynamic in the meetings and conversations we had with people. With many thanks to those who have already accompanied me: Marcel Visser, Ilona Klippel, Ronald van Dijke, Eelke de Jong, Catherien Besuijen and of course my dog Seppe, the most loyal co-driver in the world