Meet Erik Duijsens: Freelance Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erik Duijsens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erik, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Too many people risk is perceived of having a negative outcome, when in reality taking risks has brought fourth an extremely good outcome. Taking risks has played a very important role in my life. I recently took the risk of moving across the globe to Europe, in the middle of the COVID pandemic. Everyone thought I was crazy that things would not go well. I took the chance and said why not? At the end of the day life is about taking the risks that no one is willing to do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I enjoy shooting all types of photography. What really stands out to me is capturing landscapes from a different perspective or going out and finding things that is not “trendy”. We all know Miami and Miami photographers who wake up early to go get sunrise at Matheson Hammock Park and get the typical shots. But even in that same location, turn around get the glow of the sun on the palms instead of capturing the typical silhouettes. But most importantly, I’m extremely proud of taking risks, trying new things and doing what most people would not be comfortable in doing. I enjoy working with new people and accepting challenges. Life has not always been easy, I would of never taken these risks few years ago. I was tired of living a very mundane life and clocking in at work in day in and day out same routine. One day it just clicked and I decided things have to be different. So here we are.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First things first I would tell you to fly into FTL and not the headache of Miami ITL lol. We’d crash at small motels to help the locals survive this current pandemic. We’d start the day off by grabbing a media noche at El Palacio de Los Jugos y un jugo de guarapo. After that we’d wander around Wynwood get your typical shots and grab lunch at Coyo Taco(Def one of my favorite places there). Grab your typical shots in Wynwood explore a bit grab an icecream at Dasher and Crank and head off to get sunset at Watson Island looking west on the Macarthur Causeway grabbing the sun setting behind the iconic Miami Skyline. Day two we would drive down to Calle 8 grab some breakfast at Arahi’s Bakery and enjoy the vibes for a bit, walk down calle 8 take some street photography. Proceed to Coral Gables to grab lunch at Green Gables Cafe which has a dope vibe and cool backgrounds for some photos! We could wander into Matheson to scope out locations for the next morning and just drive around. Day three wake up mad early head over to Matheson because as a photographer if you come to Miami you want that iconic shot, so we do the boring stuff lol. Leave the park and drive to downtown miami for breakfast at Cafe Bastille which is super good. Walk around Bayfront Park until Frost Museum opens up, grab some dope photos with the aquarium, You could literally grab dinner anywhere and it would be a treat. Honestly for the rest of the trip I wouldn’t even just stick to Miami, South Florida has sooo many things to see , you could head up to Las Olas and walk the strip as well as check out the beaches, Drive down to Key West and see some amazing clear waters .Drive over the famous 7 mile bridge. Check out the Everglades, the list goes on and on. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost I would like to shout out my entire family who has support me on my photography endeavor and I will be forever grateful to them. To my friends who have purchased shoot times and let me also practice all new types of photography and styles without ever complaining. HUGE shoutout to Kristine(@Honeyimgouda on IG) who has been a huge inspiration to me. She’s motivated me to take chances and do what I feel is the right thing. She’s given me exposure to many different types of photography and clients. She’s helped me search for companies and different influencers in Europe to whom i can work and connect with.

Website: www.ishootforthegram.com
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW92Q_qaodKfxbuCD_OPzFg