Meet Celine van Helvoirt | Cinematic Fashion Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Celine van Helvoirt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Celine, why did you pursue a creative career?
I feel like I’ve always been “creative” from an early age. I drew a lot and loved to craft. In short, creating something beautiful visually is wat I loved to do the most. Even in high school I already knew which education I wanted to follow, something in the creative direction, it doesn’t even matter what. “Super fun” they said, a creative study or career because in other people’s eyes, that choice was not quite the right one, often people from school said that there was something in return. “You won’t be paid well later on, are you sure?” Until my parents have always said: “We want you to do something in the future that will make you happy.” Such a cliché isn’t it. But they were very right, because only then do you feel like developing yourself further and blossoming into something beautiful.

That started my time at the art academy, I did the Illustrated and Animated Storytelling study in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands. In the Illustrated & Animated Storytelling study, you learn how to tell a story visually in a way that reaches the intended audience. Your own handwriting (signature), vision, the drive to tell something in images, curiosity and a great power of imagination are essential to stand out in the professional field, to acquire and carry out assignments.

So I’ve always been busy translating a story into a drawing, comic, poster, etc. Which made me want to tell stories in a different way. Through photography. This is a hobby that got out of hand and now something that I love to do till this day.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think the great thing about creating photos is to convey a certain atmosphere or feeling. A photo that you take with you, as if you were present at that exact place and moment. My photos often have a kind of cinematic vintage atmosphere, with a little touch of fashion. I like to style everything down to the last detail. Taking a photo doesn’t just mean pressing a button. It has to do with location, lightning, clothing/styling, attributes, setting the poses, making the people themselves comfortable and of course the story you want to tell. With al these elements together, the images will speak.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am from the Netherlands, but last summer I made a trip through America. Where I was able to capture this beautiful country with my camera during this trip. When you drive through America, it is so unreal that nature changes completely after you have driven for 3 hours. Arizona is therefore the perfect place for nature photography, as if you were on another planet. At the moment I am back in the Netherlands, but with the idea in the back of my mind to come back one day. For sure!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are many people around me who helped me achieve my dream. In the beginning I still practiced a lot with friends who wanted to be in front of the camera. These handsome faces have been the start of my career. Also there were times when I didn’t believe in myself, well these are the same people who did! In addition, I would also like to give a shoutout to my colleague, a talented photographer, Neeltje Oppers (@studio_neel). She knows her camera through and through, and to this day she still knows how to give me great tips about photography, she taught me a lot from the start, and still helps me take my photography to an higher level. Which I’m very greatful for!

Website: https://www.celinesurinde.com/

Instagram: @shotby.celine

Linkedin: Celine van Helvoirt

Facebook: Shot by Celine

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@studiocelinesurinde6893

Other: TikTok: @shotbyceline

Image Credits
Models in pictures: Jèntje de Mol Mitchel Dijkhoff Janick de Groot Martje de Mol Julia Berssenbrugge Noëlle van Zutphen