Photographer in Belgium: My Journey Through 1300+ Places
Sometimes, as I scroll through my photos, I find myself wondering, “Where on Earth was I when I took this shot?” That’s the life of a freelance photographer – constantly on the move, visiting countless places, capturing countless moments, and sometimes getting a little lost in the sea of memories.
The other day, I opened Google Maps to take a look at my travel history, and to my surprise, I realized that over the past five years, I’ve been to more than 1300 places! Yes, you read that right – 1300! From tiny villages to bustling cities, I’ve had the privilege of photographing some of the most beautiful and interesting spots in Belgium, Germany, France, Netherlands and Luxembourg. Of course, I don’t remember the names of every single place, but I do remember the stories behind the photos.
The Beauty of Photography in Belgium
Belgium is a photographer’s dream. From the quaint charm of Bruges to the lively energy of Brussels, there’s something special around every corner. As a photographer in Belgium, I’ve been lucky to experience both the well-known landmarks and the hidden gems that many people never get to see. Each shoot is an adventure – whether it’s wandering through cobblestone streets or setting up my camera in a quiet countryside village, the possibilities are endless.
What makes photographing in Belgium so exciting is the variety of scenes and settings. One day, I might be capturing the grand architecture of Antwerp, and the next, I’m snapping in a small beauty salon in Ghent. Belgium is full of contrasts – old meets new, city meets nature – and that’s what makes it such an incredible place to be a photographer.
Funny Moments Behind the Lens
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing! I’ve had my fair share of funny, quirky, and downright bizarre experiences while working as a photographer in Belgium (and neighbouring countries – Luxembourg, France, Netherlands and Germmany). Like that one time I got hopelessly lost trying to find a vacation house in the middle of nowhere.
One of my favorite memories is from a photo shoot I did at the Antwerp Marathon. I was covering the event with some colleagues. I had to pick up one colleague in Aalter and two more in Ghent before heading to Antwerp. We were a little sleep-deprived, but we managed to have a few laughs along the way.
The marathon itself went off without a hitch – well, almost. After the event, we got completely lost trying to find our way out of Antwerp. It was like a maze! I totally forgot to turn on my mobile camera for the drive out, which was probably for the best because it was a pretty frustrating experience.
My Photography Adventures: More Than Just a Job
When I started out as a freelance photographer, I never imagined just how much I’d end up traveling around Belgium and neighbouring countries. It’s not just a job – it’s become a way of life. From early morning shoots to late-night editing sessions, photography is woven into the fabric of my everyday routine.
I also have a little side project: my driving vlog on YouTube. It’s mostly for me, as a way to document where I’ve been and what I’ve seen while driving to different photo shoots. Recently, I uploaded a video of my drive to Aalter, on my way to a photo shoot in Antwerp. It’s funny how these little things, like filming my drives, have become a part of my photography routine. Sometimes, people even watch these videos – thanks, by the way, if you’re one of them!
Let’s Not Forget the Bloopers
As much as I’d love to say everything always goes perfectly, we all know that’s not how life works! A few days ago, I shared some of my favorite photo fails from the Antwerp Marathon. Let’s just say that not every shot is a masterpiece, and sometimes, the behind-the-scenes bloopers are just as fun as the final images.
I think that’s part of the beauty of photography – there’s room for the imperfect, the silly, and the unexpected. And if you can laugh at yourself along the way, even better!
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, I can’t wait to continue exploring Belgium (and neighbouring countries) with my camera in hand. Whether it’s discovering new places or revisiting old favorites, there’s always something new to capture. And who knows? Maybe one day I’ll compile all my adventures into a book – would you read it?
Grab Your Copy on Amazon Kindle
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In the meantime, feel free to check out my NotebookLM podcast about my e-book, Capturing Moments in Monochrome. It’s packed with tips and tricks for mobile black-and-white photography, and you can find it on Amazon. While you’re here, don’t forget to browse through my CatPrints by Bsilvia Shop or take a peek at what’s new on Graphics Illustrations.