Sophie van der Perre

Today’s Brand New Art is Belgian photographer Sophie van der Perre. Shooting for some of the world’s best publications such as Elle, Vogue, L’Officiel and Vice as well as fantastic fashion brands like & Other Stories, Sophie’s work has a very recognisable yet subtle aesthetic to it. Often sun drenched images set in nature, beautiful girls doing their all-to-natural-to-be-fair thing, the styling understated and effortlessly cool. Below we chat to Sophie about her work, her influences and her aspirations…

Tell us how you first got into photography?

I moved to Amsterdam when I was 19 and did this fashion photography course, and fell completely in love with the camera. I was always very interested in images and capturing memories but never thought it through. After that I started documenting my life in a diary kind of way, took the camera everywhere and through Flickr I showed the world many adventures with my friends.

Do you think you’ve found a personal style or you’re still experimenting?

Yes, I believe I found my personal style a few years ago. Well, we could say that it found me... I didn't think about this really. Now people recognise my work. I like it when people see my photos and that they can deduct that they are mine, and tell me I have my own unique style. I just follow my feeling and make what I like and love. I think it is important to stay true to yourself.

How would you describe your aesthetic generally?

I try to capture the beautiful charm that is in a person. In my work personality and authenticity is very important. I love shooting people who stay close to themselves.

There’s a section on your website called ‘Sarah, Milo and Bamboo’, why do you like to shoot them?

Sarah, Milo and Bamboo, is actually where it all started in my fashion photography. My favourite movie at that time was the Virgin Suicides, and for Vice I wanted to do an editorial inspired by it. So I cast some girls, Sarah was actually already a good friend of mine but through that series we’ve become a lot closer, also with Bamboo and Milo. We really connected and started shooting together on a more regular basis. So since then every year we come together and we shoot. When we shoot, it doesn’t feel like work, we really connect and something magical happens, it just makes me so happy what we create together and we couldn’t do it without the other. I shoot them also separately and one day I’ll make a book out of the different series. Nature is a keen subject in all of it. I’m going to Berlin this weekend to takes photos of Bamboo. She is really great to create with.

There’s some great style in your work, do you enjoy playing with the fashion element a lot?

Yes I do, I love combining the personal documentary with fashion, I 'm obsessed with beautiful clothing and I’m so happy that more and more I get to work with great stylists. It inspires me a lot.

I saw a great shoot ‘Vali Girl’, which just used one brand throughout the editorial. Do you have brands you'd like to shoot?

Yes I really love that brand, I love working with brands and make an editorial style or series for them. I’d love to shoot for Free People, Urban Outfitters, Nanushka, Won Hundred, Topshop, and so many more. And of course my dream would be Chloe.

What do you like about taking the ‘mirrorshots’?

It is something that comes very natural, I love to travel, and the mirror shots are like memories of places I’ve been. I don’t like to be photographed but when I do it myself it feels like something really personal, and at that moment it is just between me and the camera.

Do you feel living in Amsterdam influences your work at all?

I’m certainly lucky to live here, it is an amazing city, so alive and full of creative beautiful people. All my friends are very special and have a unique personality, I can sure say they have been a huge inspiration in my work. Do wish we would have longer summers and more nature in the city, but hey you can’t have it all...

Our muse issue is out now, if you could shoot anyone who would you like to shoot?

I think Tilda Lindstam is really cool and has an amazing style and humour. I follow her on Instagram, you should definitely do that too.