Just A Perfect Day

"Just a perfect day
drink Sangria in the park
And then later
when it gets dark, we go home"
Lou Reed - Perfect Day

Sometimes it's just the little things that make me happy. 
Finding little lost treasures when cleaning the house. 
Seeing my two year olds eyes go wide with anticipation 
when he realizes he can have those hand puppets that 
have been lying in a closet for ages. Hearing a big 
'Weeeee!' when he bounces around the room, happy 
with his new toys. Playing endlessly with them, me - 
holding a french looking police man puppet - exclaiming ridiculous half-french sentences and 'parbleu!' and 
'affreux!', while he - holding a puppet of an old lady - 
giggles like a school girl. Simple moments, but oh, 
so precious...

Later that day I took my camera for a walk (I have a feeling it may become unhappy if I don't take it out regularly, or maybe that would be me) and that's when I found this. A little place of magic. 

I've passed that place so many times and it never occurred to me before to walk downhill a little, to check what's down there, closer to the stream. Now I'm glad I did. I felt like being in the Cambodian jungle again, only this time in my own back yard (not that I actually have a back yard, but it wasn't far and it sounds pretty good, don't you think?)

Some days are better for magic than others. This was a perfect day, finding treasures everywhere I looked. Imagining the end result, the way the photograph will be once I've sprinkled my own, personal magic over it. But isn't that what life is? A treasure for us all to see and experience in our own way? 

What makes you happy? Where or when do you find your magic? I'd love to hear from you!

Farewell, for now. Keep dreaming. xxx

A Walk in the Forest

I love autumn, don't you? It's such a gorgeous season, filled with golden light and amazing shades of green, yellow, orange and red... This week was all about taking it slow. Everyone in our little family is or has been ill and it just didn't seem to go away (which might have something to do with our little one going to kindergarten now), so we decided to all just take a little time off and enjoy the peace and quiet.
One morning we were up very early as our munchkin was too excited about the new day to sleep and after a quick breakfast I decided to wrap myself in a big coat and shawl, grab my camera and head out into the woods. I promised myself to do that at least once a week from now on! It was so incredibly relaxing to just stroll a bit, admiring the scenery, taking photographs of everything that caught my interest!

When surrounded by only the faint sounds of wind rustling through the trees and the chirping of birds, it's easy to let the mind wander. Drink in the magic of the hour. Feel the light on your skin. Imagine yourself in a fantasy world, where anything goes and everything is possible and where little Hobbits live and offer you the best (second) breakfast you ever had...
Can you feel it? It's like inspiration becomes tangible at moments like this!


Not having to go anywhere opens up so many possibilities. In my excitement I drove past the forest I intended to go to at first, so I kept on driving and saw a good place to park the car a bit further. The logical way to go from there was to head up into the forest from there, but then I noticed a smaller path behind me leading a little bit off-road into a less dense part of the woods, where beautiful fields lay bathing in the morning sun. Just glorious. It's moments like this that make me realise how incredibly lucky I am :)

I'm thinking of offering some of these photos as a set,  I love the dreamy mood! What do you think?

What do you do when you're up early? Do you like to take walks by yourself? Head into the woods? How do you clear your mind? I'd love to hear from you! xx

Take a walk with me...

Why, hello there! Do you fancy taking a walk? I'd love it if you would join me. I'd like to tell you something while we stroll along...
You know... I love photography. Quite obvious, yes, but I really do, for a lot of different reasons. It is about capturing the moment: that one perfect smile, that stunning view at sunset, especially when there's a huge chance you'll never get to capture it again! There is so much beauty around us and the art of photography helps me see and experience it every moment of every day. Places I used to walk past without noticing the beautiful flowers, the charm of a rusty old door, the magic of a spiderweb in a keyhole. I am so grateful for that, it really feels as a gift. 

  

  

It's about waiting, holding back and being patient. I like taking portraits when people don't notice me. It's when they're pure and at ease that I like them best. In Asia I usually asked people if it would be ok to take a photograph, then I took a few, but the shots I loved the most were those taken after, when they had forgotten about me and went on with their lives. 

It's about creating a world of my own. When I'm back home after a shoot and I sit behind my computer (with a considerate amount of coffee), I go through the photos and check them for a lot of things: sharpness, composition, lighting, but most of all I check them for a certain 'feel'. It can be anything really. I love to add a little magic to my images. It's just the way I like to see the world! I did a series based on Red Riding Hoods trip through the magic forest on her way to grandma, where I could really let myself go to create magic! I loved that!

But most of all I love it because photographs are tangible memories. I thrive on memories and dreams. So many wonderful moments, such fantastic travels and amazing places that we've seen and so many that still have to come... I can hardly wait! When I look back at the many, many photographs (thousands!) I've taken over the years, I feel so lucky.  

   

The photographs I shared in this post were all taken over the past few weeks and all in the south of Holland, most even within a one mile radius from our home. It's so easy to forget sometimes, but we are all surrounded by beauty. Nature is magical in itself! I love how our son likes to hug trees...

I cherish the wonderful moments we share with good friends and lovely food.

And keep trying to find magic in everyday life.



Where do you find magic? Where do you dream about? And do you stop to smell the roses often enough? Please let me know. I'd love to hear from you :)

Maximonstertje Photography's Fabulous 500 Giveaway!

YES! We hit 500 likes on facebook, so it is time for a GIVEAWAY!!!
First of all: thank you all so much for your neverending kindness and support. Really, if it wasn't for your encouragement, I would probably never have shown my photographs to anyone, let alone start a shop! I'm ever so grateful for helping me crawl out of my shell and face the world as a new and improved version of my old self! :D

But I'll cut the blabla, you want to know what the prizes are! Ok, here they come:
FIRST PRIZE: a 8"x10" photograph of your choice from my shop!
SECOND PRIZE: a 5"x7" photograph of your choice from my shop!

(Instead of an 8x10, you may also choose an 8x8 or 8x12. The same goes with the 5x7, that can also be an 5x5 or 5x8)

I've installed Raflecopter on the bottom of this page. Scroll down to find out how to enter! The winner will be announced on July 1st on this blog (with a link to facebook) and will be chosen by a random number generator! Go have fun! xxx

Some examples of my work:

a Rafflecopter giveaway