RUUD BAAN
Ruud Baan is a Dutch photographer. His work is brill. You need to ch, ch, check out his portfolio, it’s jam-packed with lush editorial, advertising and personal work. But, before you do, here’s a Q&A. It’s all good.
Above: Underwater photography for Het Nationale Ballet
Hey Ruud, thanks for chatting with Gym Class Magazine. Gee, you’ve got some seriously hot photography work on your website. Firstly, how did you do the underwater shots for JFK Magazine and Het Nationale Ballet? Love them!
Model in an underwater tank.
How old are you and where are you from?
I’m 39 years and raised and live in the Netherlands.
Also love your Smoke photographs. Very cool. What’s the thinking behind them? What was your inspiration?
I like the organic feeling of smoke, water. I want to control the whole set and picture but like to be flexible in the way the smoke or water moves. Found it interesting how smoke creates right away an environment. I want to play with and capture the moment in the splashes of water, explosions, fire, and smoke. It is like being a kid again, playing with fire etc but now it is with another purpose.
Above: “It is like being a kid again,” says Ruud
I get my inspiration from loads of different angles. From the streets, travelling, books, films, magazines etc. And I have an open creative mind! And what is very important, I’m surrounded by creative people… like stylist Isis Vaandrager.
Colour, light and movement play heavily in your work. How do you describe your photographic style?
Strong, dynamic, colourful, playful, creative, honest, stylish, streetwise, heroic, sexy, powerful.
What’s your background? Where did you study? Where have you worked?
I did study at the Royal Academy The Hague photography and I have a background art academy department film.
Above: Ruud’s clients include Adidas, Esquire, Men’s Health, Nike and Onitsuka Tiger
You’ve got a great selection of editorial and advertising work in your portfolio. Do you have a preference? And are there any clients (editorial or advertising) you haven’t worked with but would love to?
Eighty per cent of my advertising work is in the same line what I do for editorial and free work. That is very cool. l love to work for The National Ballet, working with the best dancers of the world.
I would like to work for example: Diesel, Levi’s, Vogue, i-D, etc.
Thanks for your time, Ruud. You Rock!
More here: Ruud Baan