Editorial portrait

Images that reinforce your story

You have a compelling story. An interview with someone who has done something extraordinary. A report on a local hero. A profile of an entrepreneur who does things differently. What you need now is a portrait that immediately grabs the reader and draws them into that story.

I can help you with that. As a photographer with extensive experience in both street photography and studio portraits, I deliver images that enhance your publication. Images that fit your story, your house style, your deadline. And that ensure readers linger over your article. I have previously photographed for, among others, Nijmegen-based BEP Magazine and various publications by NWST NeWSTories and various local newspapers (online and offline).

Please contact me directly.

Why magazines and other publications work with me

I am available at short notice. Deadlines are sacred in the media world, I know that. If you need to publish tomorrow, that photo needs to be taken today. I plan flexibly and think in terms of solutions. I can often be on location for a shoot within a day or a few days.

I see compositions immediately. My background in street photography has trained me to quickly see what works. I don't have to think long about the best angle, the right moment, or the most powerful composition. I see it, I shoot it. That saves time and makes for efficient shoots.

I bring my studio with me. Not every location has perfect lighting. Not every space looks photogenic. No problem. With my mobile studio setup, I can create the lighting you need anywhere. From boardrooms to factory floors, from cafés to hospitals—I adapt to whatever your story requires.

I understand editorial work. As an author of books and columns, I know how images support text. A portrait does not stand alone; it is part of a larger story. I bring that knowledge to every project. The result is images that seamlessly complement what you write.

Continue reading after the photo examples below.

Police officer standing on the street in front of a modern blue building.
Woman during a presentation with It's in her hand, in front of a poster with the text 'The Living Garden'.
Two women are laughing and talking together, one sitting on a bench and the other standing next to her, outside with green scenery in the background.
Six people are walking on a path, wearing blue jackets, with green trees in the background.
Two men are conversing in a storage room, surrounded by various colorful toys and materials.
Two men in jeans and safety harnesses are working in a factory with large metal pipes. One is holding a metal pipe and the other is looking toward the camera, inside a warehouse with an open door and a view of trees outside.
Two men shaking hands in an office, with coffee, a notebook, and a computer on the table.
A group of people in a café or restaurant, some sitting at tables, others standing or sitting on a ledge, while a woman on the left speaks. Decorations such as colorful flags hang from the ceiling.

My experience for your publication

In recent years, I have worked for magazines such as BEP Magazine in Nijmegen and various publications by NWST NeWSTories. I have photographed for regional newspapers, company magazines, and online platforms. From entrepreneurs and aldermen to artists and volunteers, I have created portraits that bring stories to life.

That experience means you don't have to spend hours explaining what you need. We understand each other quickly. You tell me the story, I see the picture. Or I'm that proverbial fly-on-the-wall. We agree, we take the photo, done. No fuss, no endless shoots, just good work delivered on time.

My background in street photography gives me an extra advantage: I am alert to unexpected moments. A smile that breaks through during a serious conversation. A glance that wanders off for a moment. A spontaneous gesture. Those moments make a portrait human and authentic. And I capture those moments because I train myself to see them.

Flexible in style, consistent in quality

Every story requires a different approach. Some portraits need to be professional and powerful. Others need to be warm and accessible. Still others require a documentary feel with natural light. I adapt to what your publication needs.

Black and white or color? Close-up or with context? Studio quality or natural light? We discuss what suits your story and I make sure you get what you need. Including variations for both print and online use. Because a spread in your magazine requires a different composition than a square photo for social media.

That flexibility does not mean that you get something different every time. The quality remains consistent. Technically sound, well lit, sharp where it needs to be. Images that are immediately usable without having to spend hours tweaking them.

Fast delivery, clear communication

After the shoot, I deliver quickly. No waiting days for your material. Often, you will have a selection in your inbox the same day. High resolution, ready for publication. No raw files that your editors still have to work on, but edited photos that can be used directly in the layout.

I communicate clearly about what you can expect. How many images will you receive? In what format? When will they be ready? These agreements are binding. If I say you will have them by 6 p.m., then you will have them by 6 p.m.

From local newspaper to glossy magazine

Whether you are a local newspaper profiling a neighborhood resident or a national magazine interviewing a well-known Dutch personality, I tailor my approach to your scale and target audience. My experience ranges from small publications to larger editions, from print to online.

For local newspapers, I often work quickly and pragmatically. We have half an hour, we take the portrait, and I deliver it the same day. For magazines, I take more time for preparation and execution. If necessary, we think together about location, styling, and atmosphere. Both approaches deliver images that are tailored to your needs.

Hire more than just a photographer

As an author, I understand how editorial teams work. I know how important a good headline is, how essential the first paragraph is, how crucial the right image is. That knowledge makes collaboration smoother. I don't need to be told why a particular portrait doesn't work or what the tone of an article is. I read it, I understand it, I create it.

That also means that I contribute ideas about what a story needs. Sometimes a classic portrait is the best choice. Sometimes it's a series of images that together tell a story. Sometimes it's a combination of portrait and environmental details. I contribute ideas without imposing myself.

Practical and reliable

Practical matters are important. How much does it cost? How long does a shoot take? What exactly do you get? I am happy to answer these questions in advance, so you know where you stand. No surprises afterwards, no uncertainty about rights or use.

I work with clear agreements and transparent rates. Whether it's a single portrait or a photo series, a one-off assignment or an ongoing collaboration, we make agreements that we both stick to.

That reliability is also reflected in the delivery. What I promise, I deliver. On time, in the right quality, without any hassle. Because your deadline is also my deadline.

The power of experience

With The Observer, I published my own work and learned how important a good image is for a publication. That experience as a publisher gives me perspective on what editorial teams need. It's not about the most beautiful photo, but about the photo that works best. The one that reinforces the story, grabs the reader, and fits the tone.

My street photography sharpens my eye. I quickly see what works, what doesn't work, where the light is good, where the composition is right. That speed is valuable in editorial work, where time is scarce and the result has to be just right.

My studio experience ensures technical reliability. I know how to set up lighting, how to illuminate, how to position. That foundation is always there, even when I'm working on location under less than ideal conditions.

Author of The Observer, Street Photography Bible, The Law of the Street, various e-books from Yoast.com.

Editor Smulweb.nl, the Internet Squares, About:blank blog magazine.

Columnist for Focus Magazine, Photofacts.nl, and various other offline and online publications.

How we work together

It starts with a brief conversation or an email. You tell me the story. Who is the person? What is the tone? What should the image convey? I listen or read, ask a few questions, and propose an approach. Simple, fast, clear.

We plan the shoot. Often this can be done within a few days, sometimes even faster. I come to the location or we meet at my studio in Wijchen. I bring everything I need: cameras, lenses, lighting if required. We take the portrait. This usually doesn't take long—a good editorial portrait can usually be done within half an hour to an hour.

After the shoot, I select and edit the images. You receive a set of images that are ready for publication. High resolution, in the right formats, technically sound. You can get started with the layout right away. No waiting, no hassle.

Which publications I work for

Magazines looking for narrative portraits. Company magazines that want to showcase employees or customers. Online publications that need images for interviews and reports. Newspapers that need quality quickly. I enjoy working for all of them.

What these assignments have in common is that they require speed and reliability. They require someone who understands what editorial work entails. Someone who is quick-thinking, flexible, and delivers what they promise.

Ready for your next publication?

Do you have an interview coming up that needs a strong portrait? A report that requires images with impact? A story that needs to come to life with the right face? Let's meet up.

I am happy to contribute ideas on how we can best portray your story. We discuss the approach, the planning, what you can expect. And then we just get on with it. Efficiently, professionally, without fuss.

Get in touch. We can often respond quickly, so even last-minute assignments are usually no problem. Tell me what you need, and I'll see how I can help.

Michiel Heijmans Photography
mail@michielheijmans.com
+31 6 263 263 16

A police officer stands on a crosswalk in front of a modern blue office building in a city, with cars on the road and a cloudy sky.
Woman in a forest ranger uniform in a field with grass and trees in the background.
A woman is sitting on a red plastic chair on a street with baked clinkers. She is wearing a black dress with colorful patterns, a black coat with white dots, black tights, and pink soles. She has gray hair and wears glasses. In the background
People inline skating in a sports hall, partially visible from the knees and lower legs, black-and-white photo.
Black-and-white portrait of a smiling woman with shoulder-length, wavy hair, wearing a black top.
Black-and-white portrait of a young woman with long, light brown hair, smiling, wearing a black T-shirt, against a plain background.
Three inline skaters together during a practical session, wearing protective helmets and equipment.
A group of people on roller skates practicing indoors, all wearing protective gear, in front of a wall with sports-themed graphics.
A woman with brown, curly hair poses in front of a wall with a work of art, next to a piano with a sheet of German text, dressed in a black dress and jewelry.
A woman with blonde hair, dressed in a black lace shirt, looks in a mirror and smiles.
A woman stands behind the counter of an antique and curio shop displaying various jewelry and accessories. In the background are shelves filled with books, decorative objects, and a black poster with white text.
Woman with brown hair and glasses sits on a wooden bench in a green park, looking toward the camera with a smile.