Cleo Goossens

"I'm always searching for light." Cleo Goossens is a 24 year old photographer based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Architectural and flooded with natural light, Cleo Goossen's photographs are intoxicatingly precise. Ranging from intimate portraits to modern structures and wide open seascapes, Cleo harnesses the energy of her surroundings to piece together concise yet tender compositions.

When did you start making photographs? It may sound cheesy, but ever since I was twelve I knew that I want to become a photographer. I began with analog photography and later my parents bought me a little digital camera. I always had that camera with me. I did some short internships at the local photography studio in my village whilst I was in high school. When I graduated I when continued pursuing art and photography related studies. It’s been three years since I began to photography professionally and I continue to be fascinated by the idea of collecting memories. I like to capture moments in life, the good and the bad, everything that makes life so uniquely beautiful.

How do you describe your work? “The calm before the storm” is a sentence that resonates with a lot of my work. I love to capture this sense of tension.

Travel seems important to your process, what is it about exploring new places that inspires you? True! I get a lot of inspiration during traveling. Seeing new and familiar things, from small details, to big mountains or another way of living. It gives me so much energy. Sometimes I think I need to move to another country, but I love my family way too much to leave. I also love to cuddle my animals at home. When I come home from travelling I’m filled with inspiration and joy.

What’s your favorite way to make a photograph? I’m always on the lookout for a beautiful photo. I love it when the light is right, to work with people with interesting faces and photographing unique places. I can’t describe how amazing it feels when everything comes together so that I am able to create the perfect shot.

What/who are your biggest influences? I love to search the internet, to look in magazines and flick through old and new photography books. I also get a lot of inspiration out of fashion and lifestyle. I love to create outfits, combine interesting colors and materials. I think photography works in a similar way. I guess that there are little things that can inspire me no matter where I look.

Do you usually work with an idea in mind or do your ideas come spontaneously? Both! I love it to go to places with my camera and see what’s comes my way. But I also love to work on specific ideas - going location hunting, searching for the perfect model and photo shoot shopping!

Do you have a muse? Yes! My dog Wolf.

Do you prefer to use film or digital cameras? Also both! Analog photography is something magical. The colors, the contact with the camera and also the sound that analog cameras make is wonderful! I’m always looking for little pearls in second hand stores and on the internet. With digital cameras you have a lot more security. You know the picture is perfectly sharp, and you can make so many pictures there’s always at least one amazing shot.

What are you working on right now? A lot of projects! I’m busy preparing a few photo-shoots together with different designers and stylists. I’m also starting a new company with my boyfriend and dog. There’s always so much going on but I love it! It gives me energy. I’m so blessed to do what I love and to make a living from it.