Full Circle
Full Circle”, that’s how you could call my walk of life in the world of photography. As most of us do, I started as a fresh amateur, not hindered by any particular knowledge. I remember when I bought my first camera…I was about 16 years of age and when most of my friends would buy a ‘stereo’, I hurried to the camera shop. The sales person did a very good job of up-selling to a better lens, so I was left with a fantastic camera, great lens, but no money to buy film. This new hobby quickly went completely out of control. I got myself a darkroom, became member of a camera club in the South of the Netherlands, FKS, and I started my study at the ‘Fotovakschool’ in Apeldoorn. In 1994 I left the Dutch photography ‘scene’ by becoming a pro in New Zealand. For 16 years I ran a very successful company, specializing in up-market wedding photography. Now I’m back in the Netherlands and I’m enjoying photography again as a (not so fresh) amateur. I also joined my ‘old’ camera club FKS…closing the circle.
Whether I'm up on a mountain, stuck in snow or covering a wedding, I always strive for classic and timeless, sometimes even 'epic' photographs. I hope you will get a sense of that when browsing through the galleries.
From 2005 to 2009 my photos did well at the NZIPP/IRIS Awards in New Zealand, achieving many awards. This lead to being awarded the 'Master of Photography' qualification by the NZIPP for the fourth year in a row at the NZIPP-IRIS Awards 2009. At the same time my work was also recognised and appreciated at the other end of the world with 22 Gold awards at the SWPP/BPPA Awards in England, making me a finalist for the photographer of the year in the UK for two years running. January 2010 one of my bridal portraits was judged the highest scoring print in the UK. Also in 2010 one of my photobooks won 2 Gold Awards for photography and design, winning the category "Promotional Print" at the 'Pride in Print Awards'. Back in The Netherlands my photographs are also appreciated with awards and acceptances at 'Limburg Photo', 'BondsFoto Competition' and 'Foto Nationaal', as well as the biannual 'Euregional Competition'. February 2021 my portfolio was published in InBeeld, the Dutch Photo Societies Magazine, both printed and in digital format: InBeeld 102 - Rob Driessen. In December of the same year a portfolio of the Maas Valley Land Art Project was published in Pf Magazine, issue 8.
As a specialist on digital photography workflow and as tutor, I have led many workshops and seminars/presentations. Just get in contact to see what I can do for you.