Personal work: www.nielsstomps.nl
Commissioned Work
Whether it's a campaign image, editorial portrait or a documentary series, I enjoy working on assignment. It's a valuable counterpart to my autonomous work. In both, I focus on people and their everyday behaviour — how we relate, how we stand out, but mostly how we are alike.
My commissioned projects often explore themes like creativity, resourcefulness and authenticity. I believe strong images can speak to serious issues with a sense of lightness, humour and recognition — not by simplifying, but by making them human and accessible.
I work as a photographer and director, using both stills and film, including drone imagery when relevant. I handle the full process from concept to final delivery and work fluently with tools like Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, InDesign, Capture One Pro and Illustrator.
I collaborate with magazines, museums, designers, social organisations and companies. I enjoy being involved from an early stage — thinking along in concepts, shaping the visual tone, and translating ideas into images that connect.
Education
1998–2002: School of Arts, Photography, Utrecht
2004–2006: Postgraduate in Visual Arts & Photography, Post St. Joost, Breda
2014: EU Drone Pilot License
Teaching Experience
2011–2014: Seminars and guest teaching at KABK (The Hague) and HKU (Utrecht)
2016–2021: Photography instructor, Fotoacademie Amsterdam (Alumni programme)
2020–Present: Photography classes at various primary and secondary schools in Amsterdam
2023–Present: Stichting In Mijn Buurt – Citizenship projects on war and colonial history in the neighbourhood
General Education and Professional Background
I graduated in 2000 from HKU in Utrecht (Photography), followed by a Master’s in Visual Arts and Photography at Post St. Joost in Breda. Since then, I have worked independently as a documentary photographer and filmmaker, combining personal projects with commissioned work.
My autonomous work includes photo books, exhibitions and publications across both print and online media. On commission, I develop and produce photography and film campaigns, build image libraries, create visual identities and direct portrait and documentary series for a broad range of clients — from small foundations to major organisations.
I work fluently with both analogue and digital techniques, using various camera systems for both film and photography. I stay up to date with developments in visual and sound technologies, and have experience in cross-media publishing and digital archiving. I also hold a European drone operator license.
In addition to my visual work, I regularly write project proposals, treatments, visual concepts and grant applications. I also have extensive experience in giving lectures, leading workshops and teaching.
Exhibitions (selection 2003–2025)
I Can Hear the Waves, Brussels
The Days I Spend With You, Unseen Photo Fair, Amsterdam
The Days I Spend With You, FOTODOK, Utrecht
Patary Photo Festival, Brazil
Multimedia Art Museum, Moscow
Ondertussen, Gallery Bart, Amsterdam
The Camera Club of New York, NYC
Photolumen, Budapest
Mist, History of Photobooks, Dutch Photo Museum, Rotterdam
Platform Presentation, Photo Museum Winterthur, Switzerland
Bologna, Pinacoteca Nazionale
New York Photo Festival, NYC
Everyday is Not Like Everyday, FOAM Amsterdam
Photography Biennial Athens, Greece
Fire and Snow, Photography Biennial Naarden, NL
Mist, Noorderlicht Gallery, Groningen
Underway, Photography Festival Nancy, France
Dark Matter, Grotto Gallery, NYC
Documentary Now!, TENT Rotterdam
Client list: ABN AMRO / Achmea / Aegon / Ahrend / AKZO Nobel / Amnesty International / ANWB / ASM / Avans Hogeschool / Bambie / Bambix / Ben / Belastingdienst / C&A / Chrysler / CNN / De Correspondent / Cultuurnetwerk Nederland / Dodge / DONG Energy / Douwe Egberts / E-fiber / Essent / EyeOpen / Fast Company / Festival aan de Werf / Festival van de Oude Muziek / Heineken / HEMA / Hogeschool Utrecht / Holland Casino / HVU / ING Bank / Human / IKEA / Julidans / KLM / KPN / KRO-NCRV / Keuringsdiens van Waarde / Liander / Mars / Maxeda / Menzis / Mondo Leone / Natuurmonumenten / Nederlands Architectuur Instituut / NEW DAWN / NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE / Nike / NRC NEXT / Nuon / ONVZ Verzekeraars / Onze wereld / Omroep Max / Opzij / Paradiso / Parool / Post NL / Praxis / Progris / PWC / ROC / Royal Flora Holland / Schiphol / Simyo / Slachtofferhulp / SLO Rotterdam / Smart Business Centre / Stivoro / Talentools / TIO / T-Mobile / Travel Essence / UPC / Van Harte & Lingsma / Vendex / Videoland / Vintura / Volkskrant / VPRO / Vrede van Utrecht / Wired / Waternet / de Zellingen / Zadkine / Ziggo
Feedback about my work:
Hi Niels,
Ik wil nog even zeggen dat ik erg blij ben met de beelden. Ik vind dat je het concept echt tot leven hebt gebracht. Wat mij betreft echt wel de mooiste beelden (maar het is geen wedstrijd natuurlijk).
En in de nabewerking vind ik het indrukwekkend met hoeveel passie en precisie je te werk gaat. Respect!
Met vriendelijke groet, Marieke Griffioen, Edenspiekermann
Brand consultant and design director.
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Goedemorgen Niels,
De ANWB is super blij met de beelden. Ze zijn zo blij dat zij je tot de beste fotograaf hebben uitgeroepen en dat is ANWB breed.
Ze hadden niet eerder zulke mooie beelden gezien! Dat waren volgens mijn collega de woorden van de klant gisteren. Te leuk toch? dus dat moeten we natuurlijk even delen.
Groet, Karin Sedoc,
Traffic Manager ANWB
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Hé Niels, wat leuk!
Ja hoor, ik weet wel wat te noemen:
Vindingrijk, zeer flexibel in alle opzichten zowel als mens als tijdens de fotografie. Bijzonder vriendelijk, positief en respectvol met bovendien ook een goede dosis humor!
Renda van der Burg, eigenaar van Foto / Film Agentschap Foto Formation
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Ik vind je een compassioneel leider, je overziet situaties en neemt doeltreffende beslissingen maar altijd met aandacht en respect en nooit ten koste van je medemens. Met veel humor op de set krijg jij the job done.
Femke Doove. Coordinator Stichting In mijn Buurt, Amsterdam