I like to teach, I love photography and I adore Utrecht. I mixed this together to give people a fun, educational photography tour in the beautiful old city centre of Utrecht in the Netherlands.
We go out when the sun is set and the moon watches over us.
Armed with your camera and your tri-pod we explore the old canals, visit the world famous and unique wharfs and enjoy the lively atmosphere of Utrecht. The city centre is old, with houses dated from approx 12th century mixed with modern houses.
The emphasis of this tour is in long exposure photography with a tri-pod.
The tour is in English and/or Dutch. The duration is 2 hours. In the summer we start at 22:00 and in the winter at 20:00. Startingpoint is ' Stationsplein'. This is a big square under a Bubble Roof..."a What???"... It is a really nice place to start.
We use our feet and legs to propel us forward to lovely spots and great compositions. Total walking distance is approx 3.6km or 2.2miles. Max group size 4 people.
The tour is for beginners and experienced photographers. We are going to talk about the technical stuff. How to operate your camera. But also the creative input. When we walk from spot to spot I will tell you fascinating facts and stories about (the history of) Utrecht.
I host this experience via AirBnB. All the information can be found there. Just click the link under this text.
But you can also contact me directly for inquiries or booking.
If you like a one to one photography experience in Utrecht (or somewhere else) you can contact me for the possibilities.
Awesome! Just click on the link below to book the tour via AirBnB. If you do not want to book the tour via AirBnB contact met personally via the contact page.
What is the duration of the tour?
A.2 hours. Total distance walking is approx 3.6km or 2.2miles. Tip; wear comfortable shoes. And bring a small bottle of water.
How many people do you take with you on the tour?
A.Maximum is 4. Private groups can be bigger. I would like to give everybody on the tour my attention, experience and know how. So therefore I keep the group-size low. I only bring people with me who have paid.
How much does it cost?
A.60 euro per person.
How can I pay?
A.If you book the experience via AirBnB, the payment is via AirBnB. If you book directly with me than it is cash (pay properly) at the beginning of the tour. I only bring people with me who have paid.
Where does the tour start?
A.Stationsplein at utrecht Centraal train station.
Stationplein is a public square at the city centre exit of the biggest train station in the Netherlands named Utrecht Centraal. This train station is the biggest Public transport HUB in the Netherlands with direct train connections to all major cities in the Netherlands. Amsterdam Centraal is only 28 min with a direct train connection.
There are taxi, bus and tram services at Utrecht Centraal.
If I travel by car?
A.City Centre of Utrecht is paid parking. Near Utrecht centraal are multiple parking garages.
Why do I have to bring a tri-pod?
A.We ore working with long exposures. 10 seconds and longer is no exception. For long exposures you need a tripod.
If you don't have a tri-pod let me know in advance.
What lens do you recommend for the tour?
A.The one that you have....The one that you have is probably more than adequate. But Utrecht is an old city, with narrow streets and canals therefore a wide angle lens, 28mm or wider, is preferred. If you you have it, put the telephoto (for example a 70-200mm) in your bag. Just in case. The most type of lenses I see at the tour are 16-35mm, 24-105mm and 24-70mm. In Full Frame equivalent. But it can be others/primes etc. If you have any doubts let me know it advance and give you some advice.
Is my camera good enough?
A.Yes! Most camera's are more than enough and are capable of shooting in manual mode. As long as your camera can shoot in manual mode (on Sony, Canon and Nikon: M-mode). you are set! This also the case for phone's.
Can I use my phone?
A.Yes you can, but for long exposures you still need a tri-pod. My advice would be to install a photography app where you can manually change the settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation) on your phone.
Can I use a film camera?
A.Yes you can. But I would recommend this tour only for experienced film photographers. Photographers who know there camera, and the possibilities with their set-up like the back of their hand.
I only shoot digital for my work and my hobbies. So I am not an experienced film photographer whatsoever.
You need extra equipment. You need film stock that can handle long exposures. Deal with reciprocity failure etc.
If you are a beginner shooting film photography and you would like advice etc. I'm afraid I am not your guy. If you are experienced and you want the best photo spots in Utrecht.... I am your guy!
Photo's are taken by me in Utrecht.
1 / 9
"Totally worth it. Marijn took us to great spots, told us interesting facts and stories about Utrecht, helped me to take great shoots, and above all, I felt like in a master class!"
1 / 9
2 / 9
"Marijn is an excellent teacher! I am new to night photography (and learning my new camera), and Marijn explained both the intricacies of nighttime photography and basics I hadn’t yet figured out about my new camera! Marijn also shared great history and current information about Utrecht during our walk. Aside from this, Marijn took us to beautiful sites within Utrecht and I am so excited to share these professional photos I took with Marion’s guidance and knowledge. He was also kind enough to share some idea"
2 / 9
3 / 9
"I highly recommend taking this tour. Not only was Marijn a professional photographer her was also a warm and friendly local that warmly shared his knowledge of photography and love of Utretch!"
3 / 9
4 / 9
"Excellent photography tour with a knowledgeable host!"
4 / 9
5 / 9
"I booked the photography tour as a gift for a friend of mine, and Marijn was super helpful and responsive in preparation for the evening. My friend was super happy, his review of the actual tour is below :) Super-friendly guy who knows his craft inside out. Took me to some really cool spots in Utrecht for night photography and explained what to do really well. Overall a very fun and informative evening. Highly recommended!"
5 / 9
6 / 9
"My 2 hours with Marijn flew by, he explained Utrecht’s history, displayed good local knowledge and most important excellent photographic skills. I learned lots and with Martijn’s guidance took some great pictures. Good value and highly recommended"
6 / 9
7 / 9
"Marijn definitely knows photography! He arrived right on time, and I quickly realized that he could answer virtually any questions about photography, ranging from a beginner to a professional level. He jumped right in to answer some more advanced questions for me. For example, I had never tried using the Auto ISO setting on my camera, so I very much appreciated learning how and when to use it. He also helped me better understand the relationship between focal length and aperture...."
7 / 9
8 / 9
"I had a great evening learning about nighttime photography. Marijn was really patient, explaining the camera settings I needed to use to capture some really lovely pictures in beautiful spots in Utrecht. His knowledge and enthusiasm made for an educational and fun evening."
8 / 9
9 / 9
"what a fun experience. I made a with the timing of getting out there from Amsterdam and Marijn was very understanding and helpful. I never felt rushed from one location to another and the photos are amazing. I learned a lot about my camera."
9 / 9
Stationsplein at Utrecht Centraal train station.
Below the bubble roof at the exit/entrance city centre side.
Just zoom in on the map below.