Maximilian van Vuigt

Maximilian van Vuigt Fotograf // Portrait-, Beauty- und Modellfotografie

Mit meinen Aufnahmen setze ich Menschen "richtig gut" in Szene.

Maximilian van Vuigt: Bekannter Portrait-, Fashion- und Beautyfotograf mit einem klar definiertem fotografischem Stil plus einer guten Portion Experimentierfreude. Seine freien, künstlerischen Arbeiten sind weltweit in Zeitschriften, Plattformen und Kalendern erschienen. In seinen Social Media Kanälen veröffentlicht er regelmäßig Tipps und Anregungen rund um die „Peoplefotografie“. Es ist sowohl s

ein Stil als auch sein Spirit, die ihn kennzeichnen und ihn zu einer Ausnahmeerscheinung unserer Zeit machen. Maximilian van Vuigt, Jahrgang 1970, wollte ursprünglich „Tierforscher oder Fluglotse“ (van Vuigt über van Vuigt) werden. Mit 12 bekommt er seine erste Fotokamera geschenkt und entdeckt sein Interesse und spätere Begeisterung für die Fotografie. Die erste Kamera war eine WERRA; die erste Spiegelreflexkamera aus dem Hause Zenith folgte dann ein paar Jahre danach. Aus diesen Eindrücken und fotografischen Erfahrungen der analogen Fotografie entspringt auch seine Begeisterung für Fotokameras mit „richtigem Metallgehäuse“ und seine Nähe zur „echten Fotografie“. Maximilian van Vuigt über dass, was er als „echte Fotografie“ bezeichnet: „Mein Ansatz ist, das eigentliche Foto bereits im Grunde so aufzunehmen, dass die Nachbearbeitung möglichst gering ausfallen kann. Aufnahmen, an denen der Fotograf im Nachgang Stunden braucht, um die Bildaussage oder Bildwirkung zu erzielen, halte ich für nicht wirklich gelungen. Meine häufigste Form der Nachbearbeitung ist der Schnitt; im Shooting selbst lasse ich eher an den Bildrändern mehr Raum, als mich im Nachgang dann über fehlenden Bildteile zu ärgern.“

In der Ära der Analogfotografie war er ein großer Fan der Kameras aus dem Hause Praktika, Minolta und Mamiya. In seinen aktuellen Shootingprojekten setzt van Vuigt auf Kameraausrüstungen von Sony und Fujifilm.

When the city falls asleep, the lights start telling their own stories.Neon 2 is the club version of my original track —...
26/07/2026

When the city falls asleep, the lights start telling their own stories.

Neon 2 is the club version of my original track — shorter, louder, and built for late nights where music, photography and movement become one.

The cover was photographed in Berlin with the incredible Taya, whose presence turns ordinary architecture into a cinematic stage. Neon reflections, empty streets, endless possibilities. This image became the visual heartbeat of the track.

As a photographer, I’ve always been fascinated by the way cities transform after dark. The colors become bolder, shadows become characters, and every model becomes part of a story that only exists for a few fleeting moments.

That’s exactly what Neon 2 sounds like.

Turn it up.
Step into the lights.
Own the night.

“Neon 2” is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music and all major streaming platforms.

There are places that don't need to shout. They simply exist. Timeless. Silent. Powerful.Fuerteventura is one of them.No...
14/07/2026

There are places that don't need to shout. They simply exist. Timeless. Silent. Powerful.

Fuerteventura is one of them.

No dramatic scenery. No unnecessary spectacle. Just warm concrete, endless light, the Atlantic wind, and a woman whose presence fills every frame without asking for attention.

Laura doesn't pose against the architecture—she becomes part of it. Every movement feels unforced, every glance carries intention. The wind writes the final chapter, turning stillness into motion and simplicity into emotion.

As photographers, we often chase extraordinary locations. But the truth is that extraordinary images rarely come from extraordinary places. They come from extraordinary people, perfect light, and the courage to leave space inside a photograph.

This series was created almost entirely with natural light. No visual noise. No distractions. Just the conversation between light, shadow, texture, and character.

That is the beauty I keep searching for.

Not perfection.

Presence.

Because fashion fades. Trends disappear.

But authenticity always survives.

Model: Laura
Location: Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Berlin After MidnightSome cities become quieter after sunset. Berlin simply changes its language.In the absence of color...
04/07/2026

Berlin After Midnight

Some cities become quieter after sunset. Berlin simply changes its language.

In the absence of color, light becomes the protagonist. Neon reflections, concrete, glass and deep shadows create a stage where every gesture carries more weight. That is why I deliberately chose black and white for this series. Not because monochrome is nostalgic, but because it removes distraction. Form, expression and atmosphere are left to speak for themselves.

These photographs were captured in RAW, while the images you see here are essentially the straight-out-of-camera JPEGs from my Sony, with only minimal cropping. I enjoy trusting the moment rather than reconstructing it afterwards. Photography, to me, begins long before post-production.

Working with Taya was an extraordinary experience. Standing around 1.80 metres tall, she possesses the rare combination of elegance, confidence and complete command of her body language. She doesn't simply pose—she inhabits the architecture around her. The streets, mirrors and neon lights of Berlin become extensions of her presence.

Somewhere around Friedrichstraße, long after most people had gone home, we wandered through the city searching for reflections, empty sidewalks and pools of artificial light. Nights like these remind me that photography isn't about documenting a place. It's about discovering what a place becomes when the right person steps into it.

Sometimes, after midnight, the city stops being a backdrop.

It becomes a gallery.

Where luxury becomes an atmosphere.Some places do more than provide a beautiful backdrop—they define the mood of an imag...
28/06/2026

Where luxury becomes an atmosphere.

Some places do more than provide a beautiful backdrop—they define the mood of an image. The Westin Dragonara Resort is one of those rare destinations where Mediterranean light, elegant architecture and the quiet rhythm of the sea come together in perfect harmony.

Luxury here is never loud. It is expressed through generous spaces, timeless design, impeccable hospitality and the confidence of a place that doesn't need to prove itself. As a photographer, I am always looking for locations that elevate the story rather than compete with it—and The Westin Dragonara does exactly that.

For this editorial session, I had the pleasure of working with Beatrice Bo, Miss Piemonte 2025 and a finalist for Miss Italia 2025. Beyond her remarkable elegance, she brings something every photographer values: presence. She doesn't simply wear fashion—she inhabits it. Every frame becomes effortless because authenticity cannot be staged.

Hospitality photography is ultimately about emotion. It is about creating images that allow the viewer to imagine themselves there—feeling the warmth of the Mediterranean sun, the calm beside the pool and the understated elegance that defines truly exceptional destinations.

Some photographs capture a place.
The best photographs capture how that place makes you feel.

📍 Location: The Westin Dragonara Resort, Malta
👤 Model: Beatrice Bo – Miss Piemonte 2025 | Miss Italia 2025 Finalist
📸 Photography: Maximilian van Vuigt

The Geometry of SummerSome people arrive on set with beauty.Others arrive with presence.Beatrice Bo brought both.At just...
27/06/2026

The Geometry of Summer

Some people arrive on set with beauty.
Others arrive with presence.

Beatrice Bo brought both.

At just 21, the newly crowned Miss Piemonte 2025 moves effortlessly between seemingly different worlds: competitive tennis, coaching, fashion, and the stage of Miss Italia 2025. Yet standing behind the camera, those titles quickly become secondary. What remains is a remarkable discipline—the quiet confidence of someone who understands her body, her movement, and the power of restraint.

My photographs were created at The Westin Dragonara Resort, Malta, where Mediterranean light becomes almost architectural. The turquoise water, warm limestone, and soft pastel façades are not merely a backdrop; they become part of the composition, framing a dialogue between elegance and athleticism.

I have always believed that great fashion photography is less about clothing and more about attitude. A bikini may reveal the silhouette, but it is posture, gaze, and intention that reveal character. Beatrice possesses that rare ability to make stillness feel dynamic—as if every frame were a single moment extracted from a longer cinematic sequence.

Luxury is often mistaken for excess.

In reality, luxury is precision. The right light. The right location. The right expression. And the confidence to leave everything else out.

Malta delivered the light.

Beatrice delivered the story.

— Maximilian van Vuigt

HEATWAVEGermany is currently melting under summer temperatures, and sometimes a photoshoot becomes less about creating a...
21/06/2026

HEATWAVE
Germany is currently melting under summer temperatures, and sometimes a photoshoot becomes less about creating a scene and more about embracing reality.

This portrait with Martina was captured during one of those very hot days when the only reasonable answer was cold water and a shower. What began as a simple beauty setup quickly evolved into an editorial study of freshness, texture, and expression. Water droplets became jewelry. Wet hair became styling. The heat itself became part of the story.

Photographed with the new Sony Alpha 7R V at f/2.8, 1/125 sec, ISO 250, while two strobes illuminated the room and sculpted every detail of the scene. The remarkable resolution of the camera reveals everything: the sparkle of the water, the intensity of Martina’s gaze, and the subtle contrast between soft skin and hard ceramic surfaces.

What I particularly love about this frame is the tension between glamour and spontaneity. It feels cinematic, almost like a still from a film, yet completely authentic to the moment. No elaborate set design. Just a beautiful model, summer heat, and the simple luxury of cooling down.

And yes, there is another small departure from my usual approach. I rarely crop an image this tightly. I generally prefer to give my subjects room to breathe within the frame. But photography should never become a prison of one's own habits. Here, the close crop felt right. It intensifies the connection, draws attention to the eyes, the water, the expression, and removes every distraction. Sometimes an image tells you how it wants to be finished. Why not work differently from time to time?

Sometimes the best editorial concepts are not invented. They are simply found.

Model: Martina
Camera: Sony Alpha 7R V
Settings: f/2.8 | 1/125s | ISO 250

AI Has Finally Entered My Camera BagFor quite a while, I had been eyeing the Sony Alpha 7R V. Coming from the Alpha 7R I...
21/06/2026

AI Has Finally Entered My Camera Bag

For quite a while, I had been eyeing the Sony Alpha 7R V. Coming from the Alpha 7R II, III and currently the IV, there were two features that kept catching my attention: Sony’s AI-powered autofocus system and the fully articulated flip screen.

Last Friday, I finally joined the club.

The timing was perfect. With the release of the new Alpha 7R VI, many photographers have started selling their 7R V bodies, often in excellent condition. After some searching, I found a very well-kept camera and decided it was time.

And after the first shoots, I can already say: I do not regret it.

The AI autofocus is genuinely impressive. Photography has always been about the connection between photographer and subject, but technology can remove some of the technical friction. In difficult lighting situations, where previous generations occasionally hesitated, the 7R V simply finds the eye and stays locked on it. For portrait and fashion work, that reliability is worth a great deal.

Then there is the flip screen. Anyone who has spent years working with the more limited tilting displays of earlier Sony bodies will immediately appreciate the flexibility. High angles, low angles, awkward positions — suddenly everything becomes easier.

And, of course, the overall responsiveness of the camera is remarkable. It feels refined, confident, and ready for whatever creative idea comes next.

The image shown here is from one of the very first editing sessions with the new camera. A small behind-the-scenes glimpse into the place where photographs take their final shape after the shutter has been released.

As someone who still loves metal-bodied cameras and the philosophy of getting the image right in-camera, it is fascinating to see how artificial intelligence is quietly becoming part of modern photography. Not replacing the photographer. Not replacing creativity. Simply helping us focus more on the moment and less on the mechanics.

AI has officially arrived in my camera bag.

And surprisingly, I quite like it.

New glasses. Neon yellow details. Very stylish.At least that's what I was told.For some strange reason, nobody seems to ...
14/06/2026

New glasses. Neon yellow details. Very stylish.
At least that's what I was told.

For some strange reason, nobody seems to notice them in this photo. 😄

A few first shots from an amazing shoot at the iconic Westin Dragonara Resort in Malta with the stunning Beatrice Bo, Miss Piemonte and Miss Italia 2025 finalist.

What a fantastic day, great energy, incredible locations, and plenty more images to come.

And for all the photographers out there: every image shown here is a straight-out-of-camera JPEG from the Sony Alpha 7R IV. No retouching. No color grading. No Photoshop. Just Mediterranean sunlight, an incredible location, and a camera that absolutely shines in these conditions.

Editorial vibes, summer light, and a truly memorable collaboration.

More to follow.

Between Concrete and CodeOne of the great privileges of portrait photography is that it constantly brings remarkable peo...
13/06/2026

Between Concrete and Code

One of the great privileges of portrait photography is that it constantly brings remarkable people into my life. Not just beautiful faces, but personalities, stories, ambitions and perspectives that make a photograph far more interesting than mere appearance.

Evelyn is one of those people.

While many know her as a model, she is also deeply involved in the world of artificial intelligence, building AI models as part of her studies. There is something wonderfully contemporary about that combination: creating digital intelligence while standing in front of a camera, becoming part of a visual narrative herself.

When I photographed her, what immediately caught my attention was not a smile, but her presence. The ability to command a frame without demanding attention. A calm confidence that doesn't need to announce itself.

The architecture around her became an essential part of the composition. The cool concrete surfaces, the clean vertical lines and the restrained urban palette create a visual counterpoint to the softness of her expression and the richness of the deep burgundy outfit. Fashion photography often lives from contrast, and here the image is built on exactly that tension: softness versus structure, elegance versus raw architecture, humanity versus geometry.

Captured with a Leica Q2 in its 35mm crop mode, the image deliberately retains the surrounding environment. I wanted the location to remain present rather than dissolve into a blur. The architecture is not decoration; it is part of the story. The concrete wall occupies a surprisingly large portion of the frame, creating negative space and visual calm, allowing Evelyn's presence to emerge naturally rather than compete for attention.

What I particularly appreciate is that the image doesn't rely on spectacle. No dramatic styling, no excessive post-processing, no visual tricks. Just beautiful natural light, thoughtful composition and a subject who understands that true elegance often lies in restraint.

In an age where images are increasingly generated by algorithms, there is something refreshing about photographing someone who helps build those algorithms — and yet reminds us that authenticity, personality and human presence remain impossible to automate.

And perhaps that is what this portrait is really about.

Not technology.

Not fashion.

But the quiet strength of a person standing confidently between both worlds.

Model: Evelyn

A Long Weekend, a Mediterranean Escape, and a Camera Never Left Behind.Malta has a way of slowing time down. Over the ex...
06/06/2026

A Long Weekend, a Mediterranean Escape, and a Camera Never Left Behind.

Malta has a way of slowing time down. Over the extended weekend, I traded Rüsselsheim and schedules for family time, sea views, and a few quiet days on this remarkable island.

Of course, the camera came along.

What started as a short break quickly turned into a creative adventure when I met Beatrice Bo, one of the finalists of the Miss Italia 2025 competition and former Miss Piemonte. Together, we spent Friday shooting along Malta’s stunning coastline, creating a series of fashion and beachwear images that exceeded every expectation.

These are not the final photographs yet—just a glimpse of what appeared on the camera screens during the shoot. But even from these previews, one thing is already clear: the images turned out spectacularly.

And the story doesn’t end there—another exciting shoot followed on Saturday. More to come soon.

Malta never disappoints. Neither does great light, a talented model, and a little creative spontaneity.

Adresse

Bernhard-Adelung-Strasse 20
Rüsselsheim
65428

Öffnungszeiten

Montag 09:00 - 17:00
Dienstag 09:00 - 17:00
Mittwoch 09:00 - 17:00
Donnerstag 09:00 - 17:00
Freitag 09:00 - 17:00

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+4917663193439

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