Statement

“Most of the time, the photographed person is unaware of my camera, but not always. The final image often surprises, since the unposed personality was given unconsiously." (interview with Jens van der Velde in P/f 6 2009)

The style of photographer Jens van der Velde is thus the most clearly defined. These style effects in photo assignments for Elite Models, Tommy Hilfiger, OOR, The Staat and many others. In 2009 a fashion series for Tommy Hilfiger was honoured with two PANL Awards. In 2010 his music photowork was nominated for the Lex van Rossen Award. In collaboration with KX Radio (radio station Rob Stenders) had Jens van der Velde late 2009/early 2010 his solo exhibition in Panama * Amsterdam. The extensive photo work for the second albums from both Tim Knol as well Waylon has delivered by Jens. These albums are expected by mid May 2011.


Biography

Born and raised in the north of the Netherlands, Groningen. After my bachelor degree economics, I worked and traveled for more than a year around the world. During this trip I met a guy (one of my best friends now) who showed me the possibilities of his semi-professional camera and that made me jealous. So I bought a Nikon of my last traveler cheques. No money left at all, but at least I could take the pictures I wanted to take. Back at home I’ve been working for couple of years for employers to build up a career in my field of study. But the discovered combination of photography and being independent was too strong. So I resigned and moved close to Amsterdam to switch to photography totally.

Portraits of people were getting more and more my attention and working on reportages of Red Light District, Bijlmer (suburb of Amsterdam), Chinatown and Boxing I discovered a style I felt comfortable with. Since then I focus on people that have my interest. People like celebrities, models, artists/bands and other personalities I want to capture in a non-posed position. The unique way in which I presented my graduation portfolio, made my work stands out in 2008. After seen this exposition, Hilfiger Denim commissioned me to photograph Marky Ramone (the drummer of the band "The Ramones") in Amsterdam and Barcelona. Meanwhile, I also produce photographs for the music magazine OOR, KX Radio and many bands/artists.


Expositions

2010 Noorderlicht Photogallery Groningen – Lex van Rossen Award - 14 Jan – 28 Feb (group)
2009 Panama* Amsterdam – KX Radio - 19 Dec 2009 – 22 Jan 2010 (solo)
2009 PANL SONY AWARDS #18 Oude Kerk Amsterdam.
         Series Tommy Hilfiger; People & Portraits Commissioned: Merit + Best of Members (group)
2008 Exposition Klaas Sans Photogallery Photoacademie Amsterdam (group)
2008 ExposureTime – Loods 6 Amsterdam (group)
2007 Sofitel Amsterdam The Grand (solo)


Nominations

2010 Nomination Popview + Lex van Rossen Award 2010
2009 Best of Members + Merit bij PANL SONY Awards 2009