How did you become a photographer?

Hans N: At first, I was more interested in acting but then I discovered that behind the camera I was far more comfortable. I left Holland at nineteen to study fine art at Goldsmiths College in London then continued with photography and film, ultimately ending up in New York getting a masters degree in art from New York University. In my early twenties, I hit it off with advertising photography and never looked back. My personal body of work in Still Life, became sought after because it was against the trend of the time. I was also shooting portraits and stills… even had a sculpture and music video streak in there somewhere. After publishing three books, working in all areas of photography, I founded (three years ago) WIN-Initiative an alternative stock photography agency.

More specifically, was there one or more life changing moments that helped you move to the next level and become the photographer that you are now? Perhaps a big break, a perfect mentor, a movie, a mystical moment?

Winning the Young Photographer of the Year award for Kodak while still a student in London. And yes my visual vocabulary grew out of attending all night movie marathons regularly in London. When I arrived in New York I was completely overwhelmed in a positive sense by working with and taking workshops from Mapplethorpe, Duane Michals, Arnold Newman, and an internship with William Wegman.

How do you learn your techniques?

All throughout my school days both in the UK and the States I’d assist photographers. Ultimately, experimenting to further what you learned, and allowing yourself the luxury of trying something new.

Who are your photo heroes? Or who has inspired your career?

Heroes: Irving Penn, Joel Peter Witkin, Boris Mikhailov, Helmut Newton. Inspiration: Robert Rauschenberg, Hans Bellmer, Joseph Cornell, Rembrandt.

What is the worst part about doing what you do?

It is pretty hard to look back and find anything bad about my quarter century career in photography. I have been fortunate to start at such a young age, I feel comfortable enough to say I have had a fair taste of success in both the commercial as well as the artistic arena.

What is the best part?

Right now I am proud of being able to inspire and create new opportunities for the ‘new wave of photographers’ through WIN-Initiative.

· Learning from the Pro

One of our WIN photographers and 10 BEST 10 regional winner Paul Eng just shot a cover of Ken Moody (a Mapplethorpe muse) in a story about Collaboration for WINK magazine. We used the Mobilite kit and the California Sunbounce reflector.

What are you shooting now?

I art directed the shoot but I do not shoot actively anymore. For the last three years since founding WIN-Initiative I have not been able to find the time. WIN is my second career challenge and it has been a stellar start so far. The problem is that we have too many ideas and not enough time. WIN grew from a boutique concept very rapidly into a pretty amazing brand with an on-line magazine, competitions and an app (iD RELEASE) in the iStore. WIN has 800 photographers in 22 countries and we are still growing!

What are you doing differently now?

When you’ve been in the industry for as long as I have and still feel as young as many of the emerging photographers you know you are doing something right! How? I always say failure is an option, this way you keep going and you do not have to be afraid to try anything.

What tools are you using to make this image?

I have used broncolor equipment for as long as I can remember and it has been a long and secure relationship

Why did you choose these tools?

If you want to represent the best in the business you need to work with the best equipment in the business. The tools need to be reliable and the people you work with friends.

What features of the equipment that you use make it easier to do your job?

For travel work I could not imagine having ever created an image without my trusted Mobilite kit, and as far as the studio is concerned (except because of a flood once) I do not remember ever sending in broncolor power packs for repair they’re just that reliable and durable.

Hans Neleman
WIN Initiative
ID Release
WINK Magazine