RIJSSEN – Photographer Gerbert Voortman (36) from Rijssen is not a one-hitwonder. With his wedding photo in ‘Peaky Blinders’ style, he wins aninternational Weddisson award for the umpteenth time. Voortman has now won 26awards and his own ‘Wall of Fame’ is starting to fill up.
Where you might think of a white dress and a three-piece suit with manywedding photos, photographer Gerbert Voortman likes to take a different tack.”The request from the bridal couple to take a photo in the spheres of PeakyBlinders (Netflix series, ed.) came quite unexpectedly,” says Voortman. But itwas also high on his wish list. “I am a big fan of that series. When you seehow everything is in the episodes is dressed up with light and smoke, yeahthat’s just amazing.”
Smoke bombs
Nevertheless, Voortman has already taken photos in the atmosphere of the’roaring twenties’. “Last year I took a whole series of photos to support thehairdressers during the lockdown,” says the photographer. “I wanted to trysomething like this with this photo, but that was quite a challenge on myown.”
Voortman pulled out all the stops to deliver the perfect photos for the bridalcouple from Rijssen. “Of course I also needed some smoke to create the ‘Peaky’atmosphere,” explains Voortman. “I first wanted to bring a generator with asmoke machine, but luckily I still had some smoke bombs.”
Shine with the whole family
The winning photo not only shows bridal couple Marcel and Elloise, but alsotheir three children. “Everything is right about this photo. Even though thephoto is staged, the children provide the spontaneity,” says the photographer.“One child is very close to dad and the other child seeks mom’s attention.That completes the picture.”
Quote >>> I first wanted to take a generator with a smoke machine, but luckily I still> had some smoke bombs>> Gerbert Voortman, photographer
9 thousand participants
The prize that Voortman has won is not the least. Out of thousands of entries,the photo of the Rijssenaar came out as the winner. “It is an internationalcompetition where you can submit three photos every month,” says Voortman.“There are about nine thousand photographers from all over the worldparticipating.”
Only one chance
Voortman approaches every wedding differently. In his own words, he does notalways want to perform the same trick. “I adapt to the bridal couple. As aphotographer, we build a real bond and that is very special,” says Voortman.“The photos have to be good, because you only do it once.”
‘Wall of Fame’ is getting too small
Voortman does not receive a real award in the form of a statue. “The winningphotos will be sent to you with a stamp on them. All photos hang on my wall inmy studio. It’s actually my own ‘Wall of Fame’,” explains the photographer.Only there is not much space on the wall anymore. “I am considering moving. Itis almost impossible to add a photo.”