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Mike Tesselaar
@mitevisuals
Photographer based in the Netherlands
On the contrary to perhaps many other photographers these days, I only got passionate about photography about one-and-a-half years ago. At the time I was traveling throughout New Zealand where I met a Swedish photographer named Isak. Although I always had an eye for composition, and had been flying a drone for two years already at that point, I never took photography that seriously. Traveling together with my Swedish mate for a few weeks changed this completely. Isak was not as experienced with drones, so we exchanged information; I learned what a prime lens was, and how to use anything other than auto-modus. I taught Isak what drone perspectives to choose and on what locations. A win-win situation.
On one of our adventures at a waterfall, we found empty kayaks down the stream. We got a creative idea, picked up branches to use as paddles, and set up the scene for a photo shoot. Being this creative in a natural and stunning environment sparked a deeper interest in photography. I came back home in The Netherlands right when the COVID-19 lockdowns started. As everything was locked down for several months, I had a chance to rediscover my home country with new-learned techniques from my travels.
"In this period, my passion for photography got well established."
As I had just graduated as a Business Engineer whilst traveling throughout Australia in 2019 and before I moved on to New Zealand, I decided to search for a job that was in line with my studies. Photography was a passion but not anywhere close to being a career at that point. After a few months of trying to find a job, I started working at an office as a Sales Engineer for 28 hours a week. I decided to follow some extra courses and a short study to expand my view in the remaining hours. In my free time, I was posting content to Instagram and other social media, like 500px, Agora, Skypixel (DJI), and so on.
After the article was published, I got several requests for drone photography in my area. Some of them were private requests, others came from companies. To work with the companies, I was forced to start my own freelancing business for VAT purposes in September 2020. I called myself “Mite Visuals” which is composed of the first two letters of my first and last name (Mike Tesselaar) and changed my social media channels to the same name.
From this moment I started working on a professional portfolio, created a website, expanded my kit and knowledge, and started to build a network. I received various requests ranging from portraits and products to videography content. I decided to try everything that would come onto my path. As I was still working 28 hours a week, I had a solid income to support myself in the meantime.
"June 2021 was when I decided to quit my job. Not because I had had enough gigs and could secure future income, but because I felt happier doing photography and videography, being creative and free."
Looking at what I’ve achieved till that point, I saw potential. I had to grab the opportunity by going full-time to focus on it. I decided to take on every assignment that would come onto my path, no matter the type of photography. I need diversity to keep myself sane. At one point I just began to call it: “I specialize in not-specializing”. Some would argue this works against me, but it keeps my work fresh and allows me to work with basically everyone. As long as I put the work in, almost anything is possible. In my eyes, a photographer and videographer that is flexible and has a wide range of experience in a variety of circumstances is valuable; a one-stop-shop. I love when a client gives me the freedom to capture something on my own terms, it’s when I am most creative. I like to position myself as a wildcard, the do-it-all.
By collecting the best work in one place, I managed to convince several clients. If I want people to see me as a do-it-all, this is the way to show. It’s also more professional than a social media profile (which should be an extension to your portfolio, not the landing page). Some clients find me throughout social media, but most are from around my area. Mouth-to-mouth goes around quickly when you deliver good results.
If possible, I help clients in their scripts or potential ways of using content too. Doing something extra creates a positive feeling around the project; especially when the client doesn’t expect it. It makes a new project more likely as well. Recently, I had the chance to collaborate with DJI on the Osmo Mobile 5. By uploading and being active on Skypixel since the start of 2020, I gained enough reputation to become a “Skypixel Creator”. My first collaboration was to create a product video and photos of their new product. I got paid with the product (which is awesome by the way, it’s now a standard part of my kit).
Unfortunately, I broke my foot around the time of shooting this video. I was too excited to shoot the project to just put it aside as a lost chance, so I came up with a different script/idea. Improvise-adapt-overcome! I asked my friends to play a part in the video and filmed myself sitting at home with my plastered foot. To film the remaining scenes, I had to walk stairs in the forest, go kayaking and walk on the beach with crutches. It turned out amazing and I couldn’t be happier. Filming a project with my friends is always a blessing. Moreover, working with a brand like DJI adds so much credibility to your name. To get an idea of the result you can watch this video and the behind-the-scenes.
I’m relatively new as a visual creator and haven’t had the years to build a name for myself yet. So, taking part in competitions, editing Free-For-Alls, quests, and so on, allows me to put myself out there. And besides building a name in photography, it might create other opportunities like selling artworks, prints, and NFTs. I want to create a healthy combination between commercial projects and working on creative things, as well as some passive income. Taking part in competitions is one of the options to extend my reach.
I believe having awards on my name will help me in the future as well. Maybe not as a photographer specifically, but perhaps for opportunities as a juror or even as a teacher.
One drone photo has recently been selected in several competitions. It’s called “Blooming Delivery” as a van drives through the Dutch tulips fields. I wasn’t expecting a vehicle to drive past this road and managed to capture it last minute. The photo shows a non-ending road through endless rows of tulips. Somehow it really captures the attention of people, and mine also.
This photo won three competitions already. Internationally, it received the Aerial Category Award at Muse Photography Awards, and a Commended Award at the Siena Drone Awards (biggest global drone competition). Some photographs just say “yes” at the moment of shooting. I keep these photos separately for when I come across a photography competition. Currently, I’m enrolled in about 6 other competitions. You never know when you hit the jackpot, right? And let’s be honest, it feels damn good to win something too.
As I work with different types of photo and videography, I like to edit every project with the settings that suit best. Some things look better with high contrast and a moody feel, like water and mountains. Tulips, on the other hand, turn out better using colors and a more bright feel. Sometimes I wish I had a specific editing style, but it doesn’t fit my craft. I realized I liked it more to complement each photo the best way possible than go for a cohesive color scheme throughout my work. Even though I see so many people succeeding using one particular style, I can’t myself.
I edited the tulip photo above extensively; I realized this photo was potential winning material, so I put some extra effort into the post-processing. At the time of editing this photo, I didn’t know how to use Photoshop properly, so I used Lightroom only. Here are the before and afters:
As you see, I created a contrast between the tulips and the van, cleaned up the road, and brought back color in the green rows. As the sun was setting, I accentuated the shadow of the van.
I love editing; sometimes you have an image in mind but you’re unable to capture it with a camera. A good example is light painting portraits. I love the concept, just not always the colors. With editing, I’m able to bring much more to life. Putting on some music and editing for a couple of hours while sipping a cup of coffee? Count me in!
I’ve always had a creative side. When I was a child, I liked to draw or paint. Over time it faded away a bit, mainly because of studies and growing up in general. I did some basic graphic design here and there but that’s it. Photography brought my creativity back and gave me excitement again. A year ago, I wouldn’t describe myself as an artist. Today, I almost prefer (photo)artist over photographer.
Something I really enjoy is the personal development that comes with freelancing and photography. I learn something new with every assignment and I’ve been able to improve on basically everything. And there’s so much more to learn! I dislike the word “perfect” because things are on hold once it is considered “perfect.”
"Being a perfectionist myself, this has been a challenge as well as an advantage at the same time. I learn to let go a little better every day."
A good example is looking back through your old hard drives and finding photos you haven’t edited before. Back in time you might not have had the inspiration or skills to process it properly. And other photos might have been good last year, but you would’ve done it differently today. This proves your growth.
I don’t want to think about the amount of hours spent on social media, but I learned from creators I found online and obtained quite a lot of inspiration from Instagram. Brad Walls, who specializes in Aerial Fine Arts, is one of them. Then there’s Merr Watson, who creates some of the best looking aerial images out there, and Boyan Ortse, the first drone photographer I followed and got my first bits of inspiration from. A recent source of inspiration has been Joris Kuijper who combines photography with working as a pilot at KLM.
I always feel inspired seeing their content. However, like any creator, I sometimes struggle with the lack of inspiration. Compare it with writer’s block. Other days, though, I’m able to create piece after piece. As long as these days balance each other, I’m satisfied. No one can keep up the pace day-in-day-out.
One could argue that it’s hard to photograph in my home country because it is so flat. And that, as a result, it is complicated to get into a creative flow or feel inspired. I think it’s just a matter of how you look at it. I live 2m below sea level and everything that sticks out more than 5m above ground level is interesting; the dunes, coastline, forests, flat lands, and cities… All can be great subjects. The Netherlands is a country with a lot of water. This is what you should make the most of. You can find boats, islands, bridges, reflections… Enough to discover!
"Tulip season is absolutely worth a visit too, it’s my favorite time of the year for sure."
Whether I am in my home country or on top of a mountain somewhere abroad, I always try to push my creativity by asking myself “how can I make this more interesting?” This approach and attitude are incredibly important as an artist I believe, and it always helps me to come back with something surprisingly good!
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