I Graduated!

I just graduated and am now the proud holder of a second bachelor degree, in English Language and Culture

I completed the first one, in photography, in 2007. After a few years, I got the language itch, and decided it was time to go to university and study English: language, literature, culture, linguistics, and academic research. My hunting project had a lot to do with this choice. Hunting culture is too complex to be shown through photography alone, and I completed my studies with a thesis on American hunting culture and literature:

"Chasing the Wilderness Experience: An Ecocritical Approach to Representations of the Romantic Hunter"

It is centered around the cultural construction of the wilderness experience, and traces the history of the idea from America's first pioneers, back to its roots in Romantic Europe, Medieval Europe, and ancient Greece. It also examines the influence of the frontier myth, the romanticized notion of the pioneer lifestyle. The text culminates in an analysis of modern day hunting literature: Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma and Ted Nugent's cookbook Kill It and Grill It, showing how the constructed image of the Romantic hunter is still at the core of the contemporary hunting experience. For those who are interested, you can download the full thesis here.

Vrij Nederland

Vrij Nederland featured an 8-page article about the deer surplus in the Waterleidingduinen, a nature reserve near Amsterdam. It's a very interesting read on a controversial topic. Forest ranger Jan-Piet showed me around, so I got to see the most beautiful areas of the park to take pictures for the article. I never saw so many deer!

Smoky Mountain Bluegrass

I proudly present my first short documentary, Smoky Mountain Bluegrass. Thanks goes out to Sandor van Veen for editing. Play at high volume, and enjoy!

It's Nice That

The wonderful people of It's Nice That included my work in their hardcover annual publication.

Auction for the Fillipines

One of the images I shot at the Abu Dhabi falconry festival will be auctioned off for Habitat for Humanity. Come by for a drink and a bargain!

Hunting Interview with Radio 1 Belgium

I was a guest at the Belgian radio show "De Interne Keuken", where we talked about my hunting project.
You can listen to the thirty minute interview here.

Hugo & Nico

Big Sur

Abu Dhabi Saluki Race, 2011

Late Summer Castle Deer Hunt, Germany

Youth Hunting in Volkskrant Magazine

Volkskrant Magazine published an article with of mine today about youth hunting in the US. I got to write the text for it as well. The shots were taken on my first hunting trip to the Deep South of the US in 2010, but also in Oregon and California on my recent trip.

California

Bob, Bob & Bob

Pig hunting near Red Bluff, California with three generations of Bob:Bob Jr, Bob the third, and Bob the fourth. Good times!

Good Morning Wolverine Creek

Wyoming Wildlife

Mojo the Duck Dog

This is Mojo the vizsla, on his first ever duck hunt. The vizsla is an all-round pointer/retriever dog breed from Hungary and a very sweet dog at that. They are certainly not lacking in enthusiasm or machismo, as you can see.

Invasive Species Potluck Dinner

The teeth you see here came from a massive rodent called a nutria. Garry and Marcia, our Oregon hunting friends, caught and cooked one for an event called the "invasive species potluck". It was a retirement party where everyone brought a dish with an invasive, damaging species. So they brought crocked nutria, and others brought fried bullfrog legs, popcorn sparrow, turkey casserole, dandelion salad, and many other treats. Doesn't that sound like an awesome party?

Oregon, Cascade Mountains

On our way from Wyoming to Bend, Oregon for a deer youth hunt.

Wolverine Creek Outfitters

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Jackson Hole!

Jackson Hole is an area so pretty, you drive no more than five minutes to spot an antelope and a buffalo herd. I could just stay and get gorgeous pictures right here. But what's the fun in that? We ride out tomorrow. One week in those mountains: no electricity, no showers, no cell phones, no roads, no buildings, no humans but hunters. Instead: dogs, horses, moose, elk, wolves, grizzlies, bald eagles and the great wide open. America at its very finest.

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