1 Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?

Hi, my name is Ra

2 Where did you study photography?

I studied photography in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Although I can say that most of my work was done through self teaching and learning from many other talented photographers, as they have the eye to share and teach you to see the world from a different angle every time. Nothing beats the pure uniqueness of every photographer's eye and their experience. Through these I got to develop my own style and created a narrative each and every time.

3 Do you remember your first shot? What was it?

I do actually! I stole my parent's camera when I was just a little girl and decided to shoot the entire film roll on one angle of our cat laying in the garden. I loved it. It was like I froze a memory of time. Later my mom came back from developing the images and told me I really shouldn't shoot an entire film roll on the same image :) It was a really good memory.

4 What equipment do you use?

It all started with the Canon 5D Mark II. In the meantime, my main go to's are the Canon 1DX and the Canon 5D Mark IV. My main lenses are the 50mm F/1.2, 24-70 F/2.8, 70-200 F/2.8, 35 F/1.4. I do have many other lenses and own the Mavic Pro 2 and I also own a Sony A7III and some analog cameras.

5 What do you hope to achieve?

I would to share the experiences and my own eye on the world with others now. I would love to teach and would love to pass on. I have received the question to teach many times, and I hope to achieve this in the next upcoming years.

6 What compliment inspired/touched you the most?

The comment of Andras, a very talented wedding photographer from Calgary. He told me "A good photographer is good because

7 What inspires your unique storytelling?

I think I get inspired from emotions around me, light I see hitting on someone's face when they tell something sad, or the way their eyes speak when they laugh. It strikes me that it is so hard to capture, but that it truly is what I want to achieve in my images. Next to my spontaneous style, I try to create incredibly powerful and beautifully crafted images that leave you breathless. Every time I achieve that for a couple of mine, it gives me goosebumps, because I know I created something so unique for the rest of their lives. These get inspired from art around the world, other photographers, or just my mind, when I wander around the location even before I had taken out my camera.

8 What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?

Spontaneous Beautifully Crafted Vibrantly Unique

9 Congratulations! As the winner of the MUSE Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?

This is truly incredible!!! My heart skipped a beat when I received the incredible news. It always means something so special when your work gets recognition in such a beautiful way. My awards get both a special place in my heart as in the photo studio, where they all are on display. It gives a sense of satisfaction that all the work you put with your heart and soul into your photography means something to the world as well.

10 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2021 MUSE Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

I saw the level of photography and the style of the MUSE awards and wanted to hand in this image that to me is truly breathtaking. It is an image my couple still loves to this day. It makes you stand still and wonder: how is this taken? And after you get a sense of passion, of fire, and of soul. Therefore I saw the perfect opportunity for the prestigious MUSE awards.

11 How has winning an award developed your career?

Next to the fact that it truly means something to yourself as a photographer, it also gives a certain sense of respect and trust towards your clients and wedding couples. Your images don't get better, but there is something about an award-winning image that entrusts people even more in choosing you as their photographer. I would definitely say it developed my career in a positive way and made for many more bookings to come.

12 Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.

Annie Leibovitz, Peter Lindbergh, Richard Avedon. The classics. The truly good artists, crafting with light, emotion and making memorable pieces throughout history.

13 What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?

Choose a niche. Don't photograph everything. You will only get good when you focus on one niche and become pro in that.

14 What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?

Focus on what you love doing most. Don't get in there shooting for others or shooting to get paid, but shoot what you truly love. Like that your images will radiate with your passion and your love for photography. You will shoot more, will go the extra mile when you shoot what truly means something to you. Over time your images will be the exact style people love and come for to you, without you having to adapt to others.

15 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?

Never stop growing. Never think you know it all. Never think you can't learn anymore. Way too often I see photographers thinking they figured it all out. But the industry keeps developing and growing, and so does the mind. If you keep pushing yourself with new projects, new perspectives and find new ways to grow, your photography will exceed its limits each and every time.

16 How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?

The fact that I constantly follow other photographers and creatives, both in the photography industry and in other creative industries, such as paintings, digital art, sculptures and so on. I try to keep being inspired, so that I can inspire others over time too.

17 Anything else you would like to add to the interview?

Thank you so much to the Muse Photography Awards, you are truly incredible and I'm truly honored to be a part of it!!

WINNING ENTRY

Professional
2023

Photographer / Company

Raïs De Weirdt

Category

People Photography - Wedding

Professional
2022
Sanne

Photographer / Company

Raïs De Weirdt

Category

People Photography - Wedding

Professional
2021

Photographer / Company

Raïs De Weirdt

Category

People Photography - Wedding