About me

Martijn de Clercq
Freelance photographer, artisanal bookbinder, graphic designer, and co-creator of Oogappel Collective.

Through natural curiosity, I’ve organically discovered passions that are now deeply ingrained in my life. Self-taught, I’ve developed personal philosophies around each craft, providing a strong foundation for my work, which I now pursue with equal parts obsession and discipline.

Photography

As a photographer, I use my camera as a tool for communication and observation. To be noticed, especially with authentic intentions, is powerful. Photography is a language that champions what might otherwise go unnoticed. Since 2016, I’ve found great satisfaction in being a witness, offering new perspectives.

I don’t shy away from any subject. On average, I shoot over 40,000 photographs annually, covering street photography, portraiture, landscapes, nature, creatives, events, performance, and experimental work. This art of noticing and curiosity extends beyond the camera, motivating my decisions and shaping my worldview.

Photography exists at a unique crossroads of art and technique. Its process allows for endless experimentation. Cameras, each with their own history and character, are tools that shape how we see the world. I’ve mastered a diverse range of techniques, from the slow, deliberate approach of early large-format cameras to the versatility of modern equipment. Understanding the strengths of each tool and its direct influence on a scene is invaluable. This interplay between tools, observation, and human interaction is one of photography’s most rewarding byproducts.

Bookbinding and design

As my understanding of photography as a form of communication deepened, I fell in love with the photobook as a medium. Its ability to tell stories, whether poetic, abstract, or journalistic, is addictive. To explore the meaning of my own work further, I began bookbinding in late 2025, transforming my digital archive into physical art.

So far, I’ve completed 20 fully designed art books and over 100 booklets, each with distinct photographs and concepts. These works not only preserve my archive but also deepen the interpretation of my photography. Each book is a curated dialogue with my archive, forcing me to confront my own work anew and extract meaning I hadn’t seen before. The physical quality, handmade one-of-a-kind craftsmanship, purposeful sequencing, and design language demand attention and immersion. Together, they serve as a traditional answer in resistance to modern issues.

Creatorship pioneering

Collaboration has always been central to my work. Whether working with a subject or immersing myself in someone else’s process, collaboration expands perspectives, skills, and output. With a strong personal creative network, I co-created Oogappel Collective. Originally rooted in the organic apple orchard Landgoed de Olmenhorst, the collective has grown into a dynamic creative community in Haarlemmermeer.

Leading a diverse group of artists, we form a multifaceted creative movement. In concept-driven projects, our skills blend seamlessly, and in Haarlemmermeer, we’ve woven a strong web of creative networks. Based in southern Haarlemmermeer, we collaborate closely with creative hubs in central Haarlemmermeer, such as Maakplaats, a project by Podium Voor Architectuur / Cpunt and Maakfortjong, a project by Centrum Voor Duurzaamheid and Genie Loods. Further north we regularly collaborate with the artist residency AANGAAN, a project by Fort RuimteTijd, as it continues to grow.

These connections anchor our goals in a broader movement. Deeply embedded in the local art scene and broader identity, our ambitions are fitted to local needs. Essentially, we are pioneering a new form of creatorship in the polder, in collaboration with- and tailored to local organizations and qualities. Engaging in the personal and organizational development of artists brings me a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. My work’s direct involvement with local development projects and shaping visual identity of Haarlemmermeer roots me in my surroundings.

Leica Store Lisse

Beyond my freelance work, I’m a team member at Leica Store Lisse, where I engage daily with photographic tools, fine art, and fine art photography. I’m involved in publishing and editing books, brand storytelling, organizing events, advising customers, and leading projects. Notable projects include “Malkovich, Then Came John”, archiving the art collection consisting of thousands of pieces from world-renowned artists, and leading the project of compiling all our efforts in a yet-to-be-published art book “The Collection”. This role complements my ambitions and goals, grounding my creative practice.