As a photographic artist, I work with character, light and composition as my foundation. My work moves between portrait, documentary and autonomous practice, with room for different approaches and a strong focus on form and cohesion.
"Every image holds a story worth keeping,
where light, emotion and memory meet."
Izabella Ridder
Photographer | HET FOTO
My work revolves around developing and refining my own visual language, and it is precisely in that process that I find the driving force to photograph. People often take centre stage in my work, yet my practice extends beyond that. What interests me is what reveals itself between the lines: the pose, the energy, a subtle shift that cannot be captured directly, yet is felt within the image.
work in a way that brings calmness to the process. By working with clarity and allowing space, a relaxed setting emerges in which someone can be truly themselves. This helps to bring out the best, without pressure or force. The result is an image that feels natural and stays true to the person, with the final outcome always taking priority.
In this way, I continually experience a search for the moment when light, form and character come together. Images with a natural balance between calm and tension, where depth and detail reveal themselves over time, and the creative process remains visible in the final image.
My background moves between different worlds. An education at the Maritime Academy and my time working at sea provided me with technical skills, as well as a strong sense of freedom, space and responsibility. By completing a Master’s degree at Nyenrode Business University, I developed a more business-oriented and entrepreneurial way of thinking.
At the Dutch FotoAcademie that combination took further shape. There, my creative side found the space to develop freely. My approach is intuitive and exploratory, with an eye for the dynamics within human interaction and what unfolds in the moment.
My portfolio encompasses portrait, documentary and autonomous work without people, alongside commissioned work in which space is created for a more open approach. In this work, form, light and composition guide my creative process.
Based in Rotterdam, I work in my studio, on location throughout the Netherlands and abroad. The variety between disciplines and settings aligns with my way of working, where each environment evokes a different perspective and visual language.
My work has received multiple international awards.
2024 – Honorable Mention | Category Nature
ND Awards
2024 Silver Winner | Portraits
New York Photography Awards
2024 Silver Winner | Still Life
New York Photography Awards
2024 Silver Winner | Documentary
New York Photography Awards