A creative morning in the studio
Today started my day in the studio of Mireille Droste, a great photographer with a keen eye for detail. At my side was Marleen, our family hairdresser, ready to take care of my hairstyle and beard. The assignment? A photo series that shows me in my different roles: trainer, freelancer, startup founder and speaker. With a suitcase full of clothes, four pairs of shoes, two glasses, a laptop bag and a beamer, I felt like I was going on an expedition instead of a photo shoot.
“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” – Albert Einstein
The magic of styling and photography
Upon entering I was immediately surrounded by enthusiasm and creativity. With a lot of humor and a keen eye for style, Marleen and Mireille searched for the right sets of clothes. Each role required a different look: businesslike and confident as a speaker, casual and accessible as a freelancer, innovative and energetic as a startup founder, and goal-oriented as a trainer. The ladies managed to switch flawlessly between styles and moods.
"Fashion fades, style is eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent
No mercy for the beard
If I thought my beard was safe, I was wrong. Marleen, who is normally mainly concerned with the hairstyle of our family, was not afraid to push her limits today. Without hesitation, she unleashed the clipper on my face. "Tighten up a bit," she said with a grin, while I wondered (with my eyes closed) whether I would still be recognizable later. But to be honest: The result was up to it. A beard that suddenly added something to the look instead of looking like six weeks of overdue maintenance.
“Change is the only constant in life.” – Heraclitus
An unexpected but valuable addition
Halfway through the shoot we got reinforcements: my wife came along, not only with another pair of glasses (apparently I didn't have enough options yet), but also with her beautiful curls, which of course couldn't go unnoticed. Mireille managed to capture her radiant appearance. It became an extra special session, because what is a series that represents me as a person without a glimpse of the woman who is always by my side?
"Beauty starts the moment you decide to be yourself." - Coco Chanel
Stunning transformations
What surprised me the most, perhaps, was how the smallest adjustments could cause a huge transformation. Another pair of glasses, a slightly more neatly combed hairstyle or even the loose opening of a shirt immediately made a world of difference. Suddenly I looked in the mirror and saw a completely different person – the serious speaker, the informal trainer, the driven entrepreneur. The ladies played with details and showed me how powerful subtle changes can be.
"Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail." - Leonardo da Vinci
From studio to city adventure
The shoot was not limited to the studio. We moved into Hengelo to find the right backgrounds and atmospheres. From a clean, professional setting to a spontaneous, dynamic environment – each location brought out a new facet of my personality. Between the poses there was plenty of room for humor and spontaneity. I even got a crash course on ‘natural posing’ (which, I believe, is a lot harder than it sounds).
“A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know.” – Diane Arbus
The Power of Collaboration
What made this morning so special was not only the result, but especially the collaboration. Marleen and Mireille brought not only professionalism, but also contagious fun. They brought out the best in me – and yes, also the worst (sorry ladies, I talked your ears off). It was a session full of energy, laughter and creative flow. And with the unexpected arrival of my wife, the picture was complete.
"Cooperation is the key to success." - Henry Ford
Excitedly waiting for the result
Now I have to wait for the photos. I have no doubt that they are beautiful, but I am still very curious. What will I look like through Mireille's lens? How will each role be expressed? Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: The experience in itself was worth it. This morning in Hengelo was not only a photo shoot, but an inspiring experience!
“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” – Aristotle
English (UK)