Merry Christmas and a happy new year

Although Christmas already began on most places of the world  I still want to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. On the photo you see a Mute swan how I photographed yesterday in the Millingerwaard where it was rather muddy and wet :-) .

Autumn in Natura 2000-area “Landgoederen Brummen”

The temperatures drop, leafs colour brightly, birds travel towards warmer area’s and I…I am getting the familiar itch to go out and see natures beauty again. I must confess I haven’t done a lot of nature photography lately. Why? I don’t know but with autumn outside I explored Natura 2000-area “Landgoederen Brummen” (estates Brummen) to capture the mood of this wonderful season.

Landgoederen Brummen exist out of 3 smaller area’s estates Voorstonden and Leusveld and the “Empense en Tondense hei”. This last area is, except for a small dust road, not open for public so I only visited both estates. Due to its situation in between a high area (Veluwe) and a low area (river IJssel) you can find lots of interesting nature that is related to the groundwater conditions on Landgoederen Brummen. You can find moist meadows with al sort of rare flora and fauna, some forest that is typical  for estates but also you see the remnants of forest management on moist soils. For most of the flora and fauna I of course have to wait for the summer so in autumn I enjoy the forest with its colourful beech, birch an oak. At this moment they also restore the ponds and layout of estate Voorstonden and it promises to become even more beautiful as it already is.

So if you are in the neighbourhood of Brummen and feel like a short walk. Think of visiting one of the both estates. Check for more information the website of Vereniging Natuurmonumenten(only in Dutch). For your inspiration I added some of the photos I shot during my trips..enjoy!

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Landgoederen Brummen, a set on Flickr.

Bridal photography

And suddenly they pop the question “Would you like to be…our wedding photographer?” What to answer. I never did any wedding shoots and now I’ve got two couples – how I also know very well – wanting ME to be there wedding photographer. Although I was honoured by their question and trust in me as a photographer I really was in a doubt. Off course I probably would be able to make some good shots but what if I fail…it’s their once in a life time moment…nerves ahhhh!! But finally, although still nerveless, I decided to accepted both invitations.

My goal at both weddings: capture the atmosphere as good as possible, nerves, happiness and celebration! In the end I think I managed fairly and I know both couples were satisfied with the result. Though I could use some more practise…so who volunteers and is next :p . Hope you can enjoy the selection I have made for you all.

Brian en Caroline 01-01
Brian en Caroline 01-06Brian en Caroline 01-07Brian en Caroline 02-01Brian en Caroline 02-02Brian en Caroline 02-03Brian en Caroline 02-04
Brian en Caroline 03-01Brian en Caroline 03-02Brian en Caroline 01-03Brian en Caroline 03-03Brian en Caroline 03-04Brian en Caroline 03-06Brian en Caroline 03-08Brian en Caroline 01-05Brian en Caroline 01-04Brian en Caroline 01-02Karel en Regine 01-01
Brian en Caroline 03-09Brian en Caroline 03-10Brian en Caroline 03-11Brian en Caroline 03-12Brian en Caroline 03-13Brian en Caroline 03-14

Profronde Tiel

Profronde Tiel

profrondetiel2011_00024The cycling season comes to an end. The battle of the giant tours is settled. Time for the cycler’s to compete in one or more of the many criteria. Although it is often said the outcome of the criterium is arranged it is a good opportunity for all the fans to meet their hero’s. This year I went to the “Profronde Tiel” with names like Johnny Hoogerland, Kenny van Hummel, Lars Boom, Laurens ten Dam and many more.

The prprofrondetiel2011_00034o’s need to race 40 rounds of 2 kilometres (total  of 80 kilometres) through the centre of the historical city Tiel. The track knows some sharp turns that were great for photographing some action shots like the ones below. And of course there were plenty of opportuneties to get some close up portraits :-) profrondetiel2011_00188

This years winner of “Profronde Tiel” was Laurens ten Dam of the Rabobank cycling team.

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Proronde Tiel, a set on Flickr.

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