Photography, for me, begins with curiosity and connection. A camera has a funny way of opening doors. You often find yourself in places you never planned to visit or talking to people you might otherwise never have met. I don’t just show up and shoot, I like to connect first. That’s where the strongest images come from: honest moments, real people and nothing forced.

Wine, music and travel tend to sneak into everything I do. They are genuine passions of mine and they naturally find their way into my work as a photographer. They slow things down, make conversations flow and help people feel at ease. A micro-adventure, a good bottle on the table or a shared playlist usually does the trick. When things feel natural, the camera simply fades into the background.

After studying at the Fotovakschool in Rotterdam, photography quickly went from interest to everyday life. Surrounded by creative minds at Codarts Rotterdam, the University of the Arts, I continue to push my work and stay inspired.

With a sharp eye for detail and a laugh that’s hard to miss, I make sure you feel right at home in front of my lens. My goal? To connect, to inspire and to surprise - by delivering photographs you might not expect.

Marianne van Velzen