photography | MARCO VAN RIJT

We have presented the photographers of the second edition of ISSUES magazine over the last couple of weeks. But now it’s time to present to you the eight and final photographer, and not the least, because we’re really proud to introduce you to Marco van Rijt. We want to feature young, upcoming and talented photographers in ISSUES Magazine, and Marco is probably one of the most promising photographers in the Netherlands at the moment. Already shooting for Vogue for instance, he has developed his own recognisable style and we’re more then proud to feature him in ISSUES #2. Let’s fire some questions at him…

ISSUES: Tell us about your shoot. Where did you shoot it and what was your initial idea when we asked you to do a hotel-themed shoot.
The shoot is about two people who love each other. Very corny but the original idea was to photograph model Chris Beek, who did the Dior campaign and a lot more, with his girl. To capture him in his own space with his love made it more personal and less forced then when I photograph him for editorial work. It’s shot at some kind of Hostel where they live. Very strange, huge building but lovely at the same time. At first I wanted to do a real fashion story but in the end it was more interesting to capture the moment of a model and not necessarily a fashion editorial. No rules, no team, just me and the model.

Who are the models?
Chris Beek and Cristel Sijmons

Lots of awesome Hotel-shots in fashion photography’s history, what’s your favourite one.
The Givenchy campaign 2009/2010, I think it was in Hotel Ritz, Paris.



Ever got kicked out of a hotel?
Almost during a shoot in a hotel.

You usually shoot with a make-up artist and stylist. How was it to do this shoot without them and why did you choose to do so?
It was nice to work without a whole team, because that way you can get really close to the model. But I prefer to work with a stylist and hair/make-up people, because then you can control everything and you know it will be good. For me it’s really important to create something that I like to see. People don’t want everything to be realistic. It’s about a fantasy not about becoming that person. You would love to be that person. Maybe someday you will be that person but for now it’s just a dream, a fantasy.

Any photographers we should know about? Who inspires you?
Photographers Karim Sadli and Mert&Marcus. Riccardo Tisci, head designer of Givenchy is my biggest inspiration. It’s not only about clothing. It’s his vision, state of mind that encourage me to do what I love to do. Creating with the people you love and admire the most.

We guess you work a lot abroad, do you spend a lot of time in hotels?
Never hotels, only apartments. I hate hotels.

What are the best and worst parts of working in the world of fashion photography?
The worst part of fashion photography is that you can’t stop. You have to live and breath this otherwise you will never make it. The best part of photography in general is that you can show your vision and create whatever you want.

The ISSUES release party is may 24th. We hope you’ll be there of course. Which song should the DJ’s play to get you on the dancefloor?
Zebra Katz - Silly Bitch



Got issues?
Always. Everyone got issues otherwise it would be so boring.

To view more of Marco’s work visit; http://www.marcovanrijt.com

photography | SIMON FITSKIE

We will be presenting the photographers of the second edition of ISSUES magazine over the next of couple of weeks. And here’s another new photographer, Simon Fitskie. Simon caught our attention with some beautiful analogue black and white photography recently and we’re more then delighted we can publish the photos he took for us in Paris. So, let’s do a little q&a..

ISSUES: Hey Simon, tell us about yourself, who are you, what do you do and what’s your background.
Simon Fitskie: Simon Fitskie, born in Rotterdam. Currently studying fine arts at the WdK academy. And my background is a picture of the street i recently moved into. ;)

Tell us about the series that you shot.Where was it shot, who are the people in the pictures? What else can you tell us about it.
I usually don’t shoot in series. i just work with a certain feeling for a while and create work within that atmosphere. when people see my work and say hey i get this feeling when i look at your work then my mission is accomplished for that moment.

You used to live in a hotel in Paris for a while when working there as a model. How was it? Do you like spending a lot of time in them or would you rather check out of them as soon as possible?
Living in hotels in Paris was sometimes the worst especially when i had to share a room with a total stranger. but at the same time it always gave unexpected moments that i still enjoy remembering today.

How did you get started in photography
I started skateboarding with my friends when i was about 9 years old, we always where capturing each others new tricks with our handicams. when i was about 12 years old i bought my first camera and started taking skate photos of my friends. since then i always captured what surrounds me.

You always shoot with an analog camera, what is it that attracts you to this way of taking pictures.
When shooting on film you can never directly see what you shot. So you kinda already have to create the image in your head. I love it when you develop a roll of film and the pictures come out as a nice translation of what you took in your head.

Who’s your favourite photographer? Show us one of his or her photos.
Too much favorite photographers, today i enjoyed the works of Hiroshi Sugimoto. I refound this picture below that i saw 4 years ago in Guggenheim Bilbao. He also makes beautiful seascapes.

Do you like standing in front of the camera better than behind one?
I’d rather be behind the camera more often then in front of it. Being the creator is giving me more than being the subject.

And how does that complement each other?
I like the opportunities that modeling gives me to create my own work. Like traveling around the world and meeting new people.

Is modeling a fulltime job for you, or are you still in school?
Last year i did it full-time, but i couldn’t handle the dependence on clients and agents. I wanted to explore my creativity more, so i started studying again.

Dude, the guy has got a knife, da fuck?
Yeah i know, i didn’t see him in 6 months, he used to be in the same hotel. So we ran into each other at a casting the other day. I had my camera on me and asked if i could take a portrait… He immediately asked if i wanted with “the knife”, I said “Yes” of course. He pulled his knife out of his pocket. To later realize that there where three guys of the gendarmerie watching us. So we had to be quick.

Do you have a favourite ‘hotel’ picture?

Mia Farrow - Diane Arbus

Besides Issues where can we see your work?
www.simonfitskie.nl

Any photographers we should know about?
Vivian Maier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o2nBhQ67Zc

Got issues?
Never

photography | HESTER POSTMA

We will be presenting the photographers of the second edition of ISSUES magazine over the next of couple of weeks. So, let’s introduce you to one of the new faces in this edition; Hester Postma. Hester has a very unique style of photography, and we love her amazingly free approach of photography as an artform. We’re more than delighted she shot a series for us, so let’s ask her some questions!

ISSUES: Hello Hester, please introduce yourself. Who are you, how old are you, where are you from, what do you do :)
Hester Postma: Hester Postma, 29 years old, from Friesland , now living in Rotterdam and I make images.

Besides Issues where can we see your work?
My house. Internet. I occasionally  show my work in other places. Right now I am in the process of printing and making objects of my photo’s. I want to step out of the “dibond” and “framing” cliche. I use different techniques to make the feel of the image just right.

A lot of your work is autonomous, we love the series you made, it seems to fit in nicely with the rest of your work. Could you stay close to your own style while working with the theme “hotel”?
No problem. Everything I make is touched by me and so it will always be close. Sometimes its different, but it’s always close to me.  

Do you ever spend time in hotels? Do you love ‘em or hate ‘em?
I really really like my home. As a child I hated sleep overs and still do. To be honest, before you made me think about “hotels”, I didn’t really have an opinion about them. Now I can’t stop thinking about the concept of a hotel. I could write a philosophical book about hotels, the thoughts I had.. were disturbing.

How did you develop your style? Did you study at an art academy or are an autodidact?
First I studied Fine Art and then I studied Theatre Design. I’d always made photographs during my school time. But when I graduated, I really started focussing on making images. I’d learned about composition, spaces, time, costumes. This is still something I use every day creating images.  

Show us your favourite ‘hotel’ picture

Camera Operator Kelvin Pike prepares to shoot a shot in the Pantry set of The Shining. He’s about to film the low angle shot of Jack toying with Wendy at the door. The lightbulb fixture on his chest was used to provide a fill light under Jack Nicholson’s face.

Is photography your profession?
In one way it is. As in: I spend every hour of my day working and thinking about it.  Amateur (from the Latin “amator” - “lover”)  means one who does something for the love of the thing rather than for economic reasons or necessity.” To say that I’m an amateur is maybe a little ridiculous, but I know I make what I make because I love it. I believe in the power of still images.

Your pictures are really organic and have a painterly touch, how do you obtain that effect?
I use a lot of different techniques. Analog and digital. Whatever the image wants me to do.  And also I  painted my camera. With my own made Kerrie - Kurkuma - Flesh Paint. It’s smells horrible. But it has no visual effect on the image.. just on the experience of taking a photo.

Who is the model in your series? What can you tell us about him?
It ‘s Luis. He is a great painter and photographer. In my mind I call him my “sweet modern picturialist”. But more importantly: he is my friend.   

Who are your favorite artists? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I guess my states of being and my fascinations have a greater influence on my work than actual living creatures. Images give me a chance to visualize the invisible.  Making the work is a combination of an exorcism and a diary. I draw a lot of inspiration from the ritual of making the actual photo.

Any photographers we should know about?
Alphonse Bertillon. The inventor of the mug shot and the systematisation of  crime scene photography.





Got issues?
Yes.

Check out Hester’s work at: http://hesterp.nl/

photography | MARC NOLTE

We will be presenting the photographers of the second edition of ISSUES magazine over the next of couple of weeks. Besides a lot of new faces we will be featuring some of the photographers you’ve seen in ISSUES #1 again as well. Marc Nolte for instance, one of the founders of ISSUES magazine. He shot his series at the Bilderberg Parkhotel in Rotterdam, also the location for the upcoming release party.

photography | CARLIJN JACOBS

We will be presenting the photographers of the second edition of ISSUES magazine over the next of couple of weeks. So, let’s introduce you to one of the new faces of this edition; Carlijn Jacobs. Carlijn has an awesomely urgent and raw way of portraying youth, fashion and style and we’re really happy and proud she has shot a series for us. Now let’s ask her some questions!

ISSUES: Hello, tell us about yourself. Who are you, where did you grow up, what did you do and how did you get into photography?

Carlijn Jacobs: My name is Carlijn Jacobs and I grew up in a small village in the south of the Netherlands with a lot of nature and very little people. There was not much to do so when I was thirtheen I began to do ‘shoots’, I did crazy dress up party’s with my best friend and we took pictures of it (We had even build a makeshift studio). I also started working with Photoshop when I was 14, I’m a bit of a computer geek.

Besides ISSUES where can we see your work?

I have my own website named www.carlijnjacobs.com and I’m also active on tumblr.com > carlijnjacobs.tumblr.com. Every now and then I post my own work but most of the time I post inspiration. You can say I’m an addict. Oh, and I have an account on instagram as well where I post random stuff.

What direction would you like to go with your work. Editorial, commercial, fashion, magazines etc.
I prefer to work for independent magazines, because there is more creative freedom (I prefer reading them as well). Fashion is a recurring theme in my photos so I love making fashion editorials the most.

Where do you see yourself in a couple of years.

I hope sitting in a golden chair and nipping a martini in Miami with all my loved ones.

In a lot of your work you’re responsible for styling as well as the photography and this is an important element in your work. Do you consider yourself foremost a photographer or a stylist?

I really love doing both, but photography is my main focus because it challenges me more. When I work autonomously I prefer to do the styling myself (mostly because I’m a bit of a control freak). In the end I’m just a very visual person. I try to visualize all the ideas that come up in my head. Sometimes my images look classy, but there’s always something vulgar in it. I like to have that unusual twist in my photographs.

Could you name some of the people that have influenced your work?

It’s not really a person who influence my work, it’s life that influences my work. I look at lifestyles, environments, colors, people, shapes, fashion and nature and see them as my inspiration.

Do you like spending time in hotels?

I’d rather be at home, but sitting in a tub with champagne is nice though.

Show us your favourite ‘hotel’ picture
by Kristie muller

Any photographers we should know about?


Petra Collins

Bruna Kazinoti

Kristie Muller

Petra Collins, Bruna Kazinoti, Kristie Muller. They keep it raw and different.

The dutch Jolijn Snijders is also one of a kind!

What’s the last song you listened to?
Slow down – Bobby Valentino;

Should I be ashamed? Your belly bottom is pierced lalalalala.

Haha, never. You normally shoot in color, how was it for you to work in black and white?

Different, but not a problem.

Tell us a funny / weird / crazy / awesome story.
 Got issues?
Definitely got issues. I used to tie children to trees when I was a kid myself. This is not a joke. And I never show my work with nudity in it to my mom because then she pulls that indignant face.

Check out Carlijn’s work at: http://www.carlijnjacobs.com

photography | BARRY MARRÉ

We will be presenting the photographers of the second edition of ISSUES magazine over the next of couple of weeks. Besides a lot of new faces we will be featuring some of the photographers you’ve seen in ISSUES #1 again as well. Like Barry Marré! Let’s check what happened in his life over the last couple of months and ask him some questions!

ISSUES: Barry! A lot has happened since ISSUES #1, You went to Paris and we saw lots of publications of your work. Give us a short roundup of what you’ve been working on!
Barry Marré: Paris was amazing! My work was part of an exhihibition in the Grand Palais with other artists like Erwin Olaf and Jack Pierson, so I was really thankful to be part of this cool project! And I’ve had the chance to work with some cool magazines, so yeah, I’m happy!

Tell us something about the series you shot for ISSUES #2.
It’s about a man who’s fulfilling his fantasies.. He’s entering the hotel room quite normal but inside he lets it all go.. You can see a bit in his head..When I heard about this old deserted room they had in the tower of hostel ROOM, I knew it was perfect. I wanted to create a sexy dark fantasyworld in which Piet could do his thing. The atmosphere in the room was perfect with an old bunkbed, a bunch of matrasses and an old ripped up chair.

What did you think when we told you the theme for ISSUES #2 would be Hotel.
I was really enthusiastic, it’s a great theme where you explore your own fantasies

Did you ever stay in a hotel for a longer period of time?
No never more then a week or so…

Are there any photographs or photographers that specifically come to your mind when thinking about the subject?
Yes, Steven Klein, I love his raw, erotic approach

Show us your favourite ‘hotel’ picture
Aah, that’s a difficult choice, but I really love this one by Steven Klein.



Any photographers we should know about?
Not a photographer but you should really check Jacky Hijstek, her work is so amazing!

Are you a full time photographer?
Nope not at the moment, I love the idea that when i’m shooting its all about that and doing what I love, this way I don’t have to compromise. But maybe in the future…

If you had carte blanche, which publications would you be shooting for?
W magazine

Tell us about the male model you chose for your series.
Super Model *Dutch Delight* Piet. I really love his look, he’s so manly (but so sweet)!

Do you always shoot boys or do you shoot girls as well?
Mostly boys, boys just have more fun ;)

One of the reasons we think Hotels are so interesting is that people have a feeling they’re anonymous in them, and then tend to lose themselves. Ever found yourself in a situation like that? Give us some dirt
Yes of course, there’s a small hotel in Paris where you can check this story with the neighbour across the street from the hotel…

You got a new camera recently right? How’s that working out and how important is the technical stuff in your photography?
Yep I do, but comfort is much more important to me.. I love a picture that looks real, not so sharp and raw.. So the less tech the more happier I am.

We called your shrink, he wasn’t in. So. Got issues?
I do. Still.

Check out Barry’s work at:http://www.barrymarre.com