I'm Maarten van Apeldoorn, architectural photographer based in Leusden, Netherlands. I photograph completed building projects and the whole process leading up to them: from piling to handover, with the people who build it. For architects, contractors and developers, and I always think along about how to capture what makes the project unique. I also give lectures and hands-on workshops, including smartphone photography for architects.
Construction workers, site managers, office staff: the people behind the building.
I work in two consecutive phases of the built environment: the construction phase on active sites, from groundwork and pouring concrete to steel and façade, and the careful registration of the finished building.
On site I photograph the people who actually make it: a steel fixer, a crane operator, hands setting rebar. VCA-VOL certified, with my own PPE, and a certified EASA drone pilot: A1/A3, A2 and STS, registered as a drone operator with the RDW.
Let's work
Finished work in natural daylight, from a chosen standpoint. Straight verticals without stretched corners.
The whole build, documented phase by phase for contractors, engineers and developers.
The people who make the building: a telling portrait, or just part of it.
Certified EASA drone pilot: Open category A1/A3 and A2, Specific category STS. Registered drone operator, insured for commercial flights on active sites.
Passing the craft on at academies of architecture, trade schools and professional associations.
I photograph completed building projects and the whole process leading up to them: from piling to handover, with the people who build it. I work in two consecutive phases: the construction phase on active sites (groundwork, concrete pours, rebar, steel, façade) and the registration of the finished building in natural daylight, with straight verticals and the building's own proportions. Clients are architects, contractors and developers.
I am based in Leusden (province of Utrecht), in the centre of the Netherlands, and photograph across the whole country. Projects photographed include Rotterdam, The Hague, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Nijmegen, Utrecht, 's-Hertogenbosch, Groningen and Breda. On request I also work elsewhere in Europe. Workshops are possible at any location in the Netherlands.
An assignment starts with an email or a WhatsApp message: tell me about the building, the phase it is in and what you will use the photographs for. A tailored quote follows. I start by listening to what you want to show and put the building's unique features first. Then I plan the shoot precisely: viewpoint, time of day and light. By stepping back, choosing a higher viewpoint or flying my drone, every building keeps its natural proportions. No AI and no distorted perspectives. For the construction phase I document the work phase by phase, so the series is usable for the project file, the client and communication.
A half day of photography (1 to 4 hours) includes preparation, post-processing and delivery. You receive the selected photographs in high resolution (at least 50 megapixels, often 60 to 70) via a download link, within 10 working days after the shoot. The photographs are made without AI, with straight lines and the building's own proportions. A completion shoot typically yields a few dozen images; for a construction project with several visits the series grows with each visit.
A half day of photography (1 to 4 hours) costs € 950 excluding VAT, including preparation, post-processing and delivery. The licence for all media, without restrictions, for the client is € 300 per assignment; an additional party wanting to use the same photographs (for example the architect alongside the contractor) pays € 300 for its own licence. Travel costs are charged separately by distance. A separate licence on existing photographs from the gallery starts at € 125. A full day or a series of visits during construction is quoted individually. The smartphone workshops for teams have fixed prices: tailored € 350 plus € 35 per person, the standard programme € 875 fixed for groups of up to 24 people, an individual workshop € 400 with travel costs included; all excluding VAT.
Yes. I am a certified EASA drone pilot in the Open category A1/A3 and A2 and in the Specific category STS, and registered as a drone operator with the RDW (the Dutch vehicle authority). I am insured for commercial flights on active construction sites. I use aerial photography for site overviews, progress from above, urban context and roofscapes.
Yes. I hold the VCA-VOL certificate (the Dutch safety certificate for operational supervisors) and bring my own personal protective equipment: helmet, safety boots, hi-vis and whatever the site requires. On site I photograph the people who actually make the building: a steel fixer, a crane operator, hands setting rebar.
Yes, every photograph on this site can be licensed; ask via the contact form or mail@maarten.photos. Copyright always stays with me. The licence covers the purposes, media, print run or channels, territory and duration agreed in writing, is non-exclusive and non-transferable, and applies only to the invoiced party. If no duration is agreed, it is 24 months from the invoice date. Credit is required and the photograph is not altered without permission. The licence starts after full payment. The full text is in the general terms (article 4, in Dutch).
Yes. I give guest lectures and masterclasses on architectural and construction photography at academies of architecture, trade schools and professional associations, and hands-on smartphone photography workshops for architects, contractors, developers and housing associations, at the office, on site or in the project. A team workshop consists of theory, a photo safari on location and a review with editing in the free app Snapseed. More than 3,000 people have attended a lecture or workshop; on Google Maps I am rated 4.9.
Architectural photographer based in Leusden, the Netherlands, with more than twelve years of experience, trading as Maarten van Apeldoorn Fotografie (Dutch Chamber of Commerce 55864473). Clients include Dura Vermeer, Paul de Ruiter Architects, FaulknerBrowns Architects, Studio Architectuur MAKEN, NEPROM and the municipality of Leusden; projects include Fenix and the Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam, Sportcampus Zuiderpark in The Hague and the De Tongelreep swimming centre in Eindhoven.
