Atelier Verdenius Brings a Balance to Minimalism and Simplicity
Atelier Verdenius Brings a Balance to Minimalism and Simplicity
Finding the Charm In the Self-Taught Photography of Marieke Verdenius
Styling by José Spaans
Name:
Marieke Verdenius
Photography:
Marieke Verdenius
Words:
Marissa Stempien
Some find simplicity beautiful in its most basic form, and for self-taught photographer Marieke Verdenius it’s the perfect subject. A photographer, teacher, and stylist based in Amsterdam, she focuses on lifestyle, interior, food, and stills with a monochromatic and natural palette. A corner of a staircase, an empty tabletop, the folds of a curtain—it’s the magic of these uncluttered settings and elemental lines that draws in the eye and showcases the allure of these otherwise unassuming objects.
In her Amsterdam studio, Atelier Verdenius, Marieke hosts workshops and private sessions for those looking to learn the more detailed side of photography, better understand the photography side of their business, or simply need new artistic inspiration. She also hosts sessions of The Gatherists, where she invites freelance creatives from all over to come together, chat, and collaborate. Her work is about finding creative and artistic happiness, where she can breathe within her work and capture the beauty of balance.
VISUAL PLEASURE Magazine:
You’re a self-taught photographer—how did you find your niche and teach yourself? Is this what lead you to start your classes and workshops?
Marieke Verdenius: It was quite a journey! When I first started as a photographer, I chose a more bold color palette. I think it had to do with my background working as an editor for Jamie Oliver magazine. I worked there for several years and I kind of grew into that style. But bit by bit I understood that wasn’t really me, it was way too vibrant!
Slowly it changed more towards the Scandinavian mood with more grey and white tones. (I visited Copenhagen many times during those years to meet up with friends.) The vibrant colors made room for muted tones and minimalism. Since last year, I’ve developed into a warmer style. More tactile and also earthy, dark tones as well as lighter ones. For me, these changes have always been a reflection of my personal life. A few years ago I wanted everything to be white, bright, and positive. Now I also allow the shadows and shades too, I guess that says a lot!
Regarding my workshops, indeed, that was also a way to explore, but also to discover how other people look and create. It wasn’t solely about teaching, although I really loved that. But I also wanted to learn from other people’s perspectives. Since last year, I’ve started to offer private workshops too, to help people navigate on their creative journey. Sometimes they have a specific wish—to develop their photography skills for instance—but the focus can also be on finding answers to questions like: “What do I want to create and why? What gives me joy?” Talking about these subjects make these sessions very personal, which is lovely.
Did you always want to be a photographer and teacher? What do you find most rewarding about teaching others what you had to learn by yourself?
I never really expected to become a photographer, although I was really inspired by my grandmother who had the same profession. She studied in Paris and she focused on architecture, children/family portraits, and theater artists. Unfortunately, we never talked about it back then, she passed away almost 25 years ago, but I remember the walls in her study were covered with black and white photos that she took and developed in her in-house darkroom. So I guess she inspired me to look in another way at photography, mood boards, and compositions.
After quitting my job as an editor and stylist at JO, I started photographing more and more and I really loved it. The one thing I especially like about teaching is that you can always learn from others. I never tell the attendees that I know it all, and I invite them to add any kind of information that needs to be shared. And also, you don’t need a degree to start doing what you love (that’s what held me slightly back in the beginning). Just begin and improve yourself bit by bit. Ask for help, create with friends, and do it with great joy!
Styling by José Spaans
“You don’t need a degree to start doing what you love (that’s what held me slightly back in the beginning). Just begin and improve yourself bit by bit. Ask for help, create with friends, and do it with great joy!”
What lead you to start The Gatherists? Can you tell us a bit more about it?
After starting as a freelancer, I casually met up with friends who already worked independently, just to hear more about their experience. One of them was Margot and during this morning session, we came up with the idea to organize small gatherings for creatives that we knew, but almost never meet in real life, simply because everybody is busy. We were very surprised to see that so many people were excited about this idea and willing to join us for a morning filled with inspiring conversations in the company of a few like-minded creatives.
The formula is very simple: we invite 10 people, all with different backgrounds and professions. We dress a table, bake a cake, and brew some slow drip coffee. There is no agenda, goal, or theme, we just want to create the opportunity to connect in an informal setting.
After organizing 25 editions successfully (in both The Netherlands and abroad) we heard some great stories about people who’ve met each other at one of the gatherings started working together or even became friends! How does it get any better than that?
We really can’t wait to host new ones in the near future and I think now it is more relevant than ever before to get together and share thoughts and ideas.
What drives your inspiration in your photography? You focus on lifestyle, interior, food, and stills—what draws your creative eye to these subjects?
I am always searching for the quietness in images, it needs to breathe. So that is one of my focus points when it comes to creating, I love empty space in images, a certain kind of tactility and softness combined with seasonal daylight.
I am drawn to mix different textures and materials in my settings, but within a certain color palette to keep it balanced. With the use of these elements, I am able to create a visual direction that can be used for all different kinds of photography.
“I am always searching for the quietness in images, it needs to breathe. So that is one of my focus points when it comes to creating, I love empty space in images, a certain kind of tactility and softness combined with seasonal daylight.”
With a minimalist color palette do you feel that you’re restraining your creativity for a cohesive collection or do the colorways help to draw out other creative elements of the photo?
The palette gives me a lovely field to play and explore within, but I also am able to step out as well. But I do need to have a connection to the subject, so if it’s a design I do not particularly like, I may have to reject it. For me, it is very important to stay true to yourself about what you can do even if it is challenging. But when I feel somebody else is better for the job, then I would absolutely recommend it. There is no shame in that.
What are the artistic elements you’re most interested in exploring?
Since I am quite new to having a business in photography, I am always experimenting and exploring new ways within the field of photography and styling. When I began my career, I focused only on the subjects of food, interior, and stills. But over the last year, I had more artists, makers, and chefs in front of my lens as well as professional models or even “regular" families for lifestyle brands. It is a very different way of capturing and looking. Also, I really love to get involved more in art direction and concept development, but to be honest, I am already doing that.
What do you find to be the most rewarding thing about your work?
I find it very rewarding that I am able to create content for both individual makers/artists/crafters as well as commercial labels/brands. Recently, I styled and photographed for a lovely woman who lives in Australia. She is about to launch a book filled with her own writings and poems and asked me to create photos. I am very grateful for these opportunities, it felt like we knew each other already but we actually never met! These kinds of collaborations and connections make me smile because you know that you share the same interests and that makes it very easy to create joyfully.
“For me, it is very important to stay true to yourself about what you can do even if it is challenging.”
