Why did you accept the invitation from the Marie-Stella-Maris Foundation?

I saw it right away for several reasons. I had been to Africa before, but never to Uganda. In 2015 I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania for another charity but could see virtually nothing of the country there due to a tight schedule. Still, that short trip and the continent inspired me to continue the theme of Africa in my work once back in the Netherlands in various shoots and styling. Also, I already knew the Marie-Stella-Maris Foundation through Linelle Deunk; she is at the same gallery as me. And Ernst Coppejans and Robin de Puy - familiar names to me- had also previously traveled with the Foundation. I had even mentioned before to Roy Kahmann (owner of GUP magazine) that I thought it would be too crazy to be able to do something like that.

Besides, because the trip is linked to a charity, it has more than just "me to Uganda. You have more of a story behind your photography and get to places you don't get to. Without the Marie-Stella-Maris Foundation, I would never have gone here (points to his photo series).

What was your first impression of life in Mukono?

You adjust to the fact that there is nothing there. If water is already an issue, they will have nothing else, right? Even though they have much less than we do, they try to make something of it.

Like the girl "The Queen of Mukono,"; you would say she was styled entirely for the photo, but she just walked around there like that with a pearl necklace around her neck and hands, wearing a hat and a beautiful dress that was blowing in the wind. It was like she was from another time. What struck me is that the people there are not sad but radiate positivity and strength.

What does travel do to your inspiration for photography?

What does photography mean to you?

For me, it is a way to express my vision and show what I find interesting. Photography is an easy and quick medium as far as I am concerned because you can create images on the spot.

I may not always photograph someone "as they are," but I like to give my interpretation of them. A story behind a series is nice, but I also believe it is good to do things because you like it and it suits you.

How would you describe your photography to a stranger?

I think there is always a timelessness in my images. Actually, with none of my images, you can tell what period it was made in; I'm always looking for that. When I photograph, I leave out time elements such as logos, brand names, and billboards as much as possible. My inspiration comes from old photography, and I always try to bring that into what I do now. I am also always looking for dynamics, some form of movement. And whether that is movement in a photograph or a suggestion of movement doesn't matter. That's why I also work a lot with a blur; to me, that gives a certain feeling. I wouldn't say I like razor-sharp photography. When I look, for example, at the photography of my great sources of inspiration Man Ray, Paolo Roversi, or Irving Penn,

there is often a certain atmosphere in them. I find it difficult to describe exactly what that is, but it has to do with the fact that something appeals to the imagination, creating a mystery so that people keep looking at it and wonder: what's going on? That's more important than making everything look like that; that gets boring

Did the trip give you other insights regarding clean drinking water?

Before my trip, I was aware of the Marie-Stella-Maris Foundation's work on clean drinking water, but I didn't overthink it. I also saw Linelle's photos about her trip in collaboration with the Foundation. Once in Uganda, seeing how water turns people's lives upside down was imposing. When you hear the stories of the local people, it makes a world of difference. Installing rainwater tanks ensures that people no longer have to walk so far with their jerry cans. Especially for the older generation, this is important. In particular, you are made to think when you hear what placing a rainwater tank costs on average. You can hardly imagine that with €200 to €300 you can change a family's life so much. That's why I think it's a great added value that part of the proceeds of the prints sold in this series will return to the Foundation to help even more people get clean drinking water.

What has stayed with you most when you reflect on your trip to Uganda?

The whole trip was a blast because it was so short, and you did so much. Every day you're busy, and before you know it, you're on the plane back. When I look back at my images, sometimes, I can't even remember exactly what happened at that moment. Even for me now, it remains a mystery, and I think there is something to that. Thinking back on my trip, I find it insane that my photo series was created in three days. Without collaboration with the Marie-Stella-Maris Foundation, I would never have been able to do this.

What is your biggest challenge at the moment?

I have an exhibition, and I'm going to publish a book. The book is a dream. I love books and have a closet full of photo books myself. This is an addiction of mine. A book about the Morocco series was published before, but that became more of a reference book. The text on Uganda is going to be an art book. We are currently busy compiling this book, which will contain 107 images. We are also working on a limited edition box with a selection of prints from this project. When I do something like this, I want it to have quality. Such a box should give the feeling of, "I like this! I would also love to make another trip. The Preferably to Mongolia or Nepal.