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Brian, where are you from and where do you live now?
I grew up in Koksijde, a small town located on the North Sea coast of Belgium. I am so blessed and also proud to be born in that beautiful place. Nowadays, I am still a resident of Koksijde, but I spent a lot of time working in a city near Brussels as a teacher for physical education.
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How would you describe your artistic style?
I would call myself a fine-art lifestyle and travel photographer with a great passion for the outdoors and the wilderness. I get tempted by the mountains and challenged by waves of the sea. I chase the light in search for the essence of beauty in this world.
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What's on top of your bucket list (as an artist or just as a person)?
On the very top of my bucket list there are two words: ‘Travel Nepal’. The funny part is that I already travelled Nepal three times, but Nepal has that special place in my heart. The people, the culture, the nature… It was the number one on my bucket list when I was a teenager and it is still my absolute number one right now. Further on my bucket list you have New-Zealand, Canada, Patagonia and the Faroer-Islands.
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Analogue or digital?
I am a digital photographer, but I love experimenting with analogue photography. Analogue photography is so pure. If you can shoot strong images with your analogue device, you are becoming a true master in photography, if you ask me. That one true moment gets captured and it stays a surprise until developing. For me, an image clicked on pellicule will mostly be an image with a moody touch of grain and immersed with nostalgia.
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New York or remote mountain hut?
This is an easy one. A remote mountain hut, by far!
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Becks or Merlot?
Yes, I love to drink some wine occasionally - but as a Belgian, it is our tradition to drink beer. Unfortunately, you will not please me with Becks. Let’s say I would prefer the Belgian beer “Duvel”. Even so, I will never say no to a Single Malt.
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And a little Proust: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Longing! Longing, , isfor me perfect happiness. Longing for a new project, the next travel and upcoming adventure. Longing to be with your loved ones. Longing for home. If you have no desire anymore, you are not living your life to the fullest, I think.
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Which living person do you most admire?
There are a lot of beautiful people who I admire. If I have to make a choice, I want to mention “Xavier Rudd”. Xavier Rudd is an Australian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and activist. I get deeply touched and inspired by his music. His shows are amazing, it’s somewhat like a spiritual experience. His lyrics, messages and stand for something better make a difference on this planet.
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What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Beauty! Beauty is a very personal virtue. Communities and media try to influence the people by giving standards to beauty. Beauty cannot be defined. I just think it is an overrated virtue because people are free to decide what they find beautiful.
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What or who is the greatest love of your life?
That would be my muse and Girlfriend Maaike.
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If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
I would like to come back as a bird-of-paradise. They are so funny, beautiful and I love their elaborate mating rituals.
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The world needs more...
peace, obviously.
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I’ve changed my mind about…
Donald Trump, he is much more of an incompetent bastard than the incompetent bastard I thought he was.
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What most people don't understand is that…
everything in creation of a good world starts with yourself.