Sunfire
Pandora’s key
Runeheim festival – Appeltern (NL) 31-05-2026
Nederland
Runeheim festival – Appeltern (NL) 30-05-2026
Harmony Glen
Bards of Valor
Vlier
Diggin in the photopast
At the moment I’m working on to back up my archives also to a modern system so I can work on the road. But it also gives me fascinating insight about how I started as a photographer and when I was an art student. I have to say the last years now I’m back in photography I grew a lot as a person. But now I also realise that in the early social media time era there was a toxic (gothic) modelling culture in the Netherlands.
Toxic modelling culture
I started seriously in photography in 2006 platforms like MySpace where popular and America Next top model had reached Dutch television to. Platforms like Dutch Gothic Models popped up as a board to connect models and photographers. Yes it was the time before selfies. But there was a downside it was all ego based. It was all about seen and being seen. So big outfits and big ego. I have to say it affect me to. I wanted to model to but did not had the confidence and skills.
As a photographer I have to say I wanted to capture the best to. But also pushed new talent to their edge. So I wasn’t always nice and not there to make friends. To be honest now I look back most just wanted to work with me to get into Noize Magazine. It was all about exposure.
How I See the future
After my break I started to look different to the world. To be honest I don’t do model shoots anymore. It’s not my type of photography however never say never. I’m more into nature and concert photography. Capture the moment the story and life around me. Capture friends show my life and what I see.
With a hug
Helene Smits
Series of self portraits “Writing” 2012
Time flies by
As January felt as an extension of the Christmas holiday . From February time flew by. Solo performance at Midwinter Festijn. Oriental Tea time, Lecture about photography at FocOss. As march was making pictures Deine Lakaien, Goethes Erben. And after spending easter with my family I realised I made more picture this year already then last year.
But now? Now I have some air till summer just enjoy spring as the agenda after the summer start to fill up… well it’s full already. With the opera and photography I don’t have to be bored this year some fun events are coming and amazing tour at the end of the year. With the Osse Opera we are working with the Bossche Opera for a mazing show La Sonnabula in a open air theatre on June 13 2026.
And there is that one things, social media. Yeah I admit I’m a doom scroller. One side I’m done with social media. Mostly the pressure that comes with it. But why? We brand en promoot ourself as a photographer or artist for what? Well to connect? With my concert photography I work mostly in Germany and I life in the Netherlands. My nature photography I make everywhere mostly with my phone. I have a new one I review soon about (and it’s not a IPhone). I love my peace and privacy at home and the contrast of meeting people abroad. So what’s up next?
I’m going to use social media more to connect. But no pressure I will share my work old and new as I keep spitting and sorting my archives. I hope to have some time till summer for some vlogs and who follow me on socials have seen my new social media lay out. To prevent that Instagram cuts off my photo’s I made a new format which also contain credits. Well a messy blog after a messy but fun period soon more!!
Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/helenesmitsartist/
https://www.facebook.com/helenesmitsartist/
With love,
Helene Smits
New social media lay-out
New year lets be me
I’m not going to write a new year new me blog. It’s more a new year lets be me blog.
This year has been a crazy ride personally and artistic. Made dreams come to like visiting the McLaren MTC with my dad. I embraced my passion for photography. Made some music and started privet vocal lessons to boost my confidence as a person and artist. Some friendships are hard to see because you know each other from work. Long I hold my photo work and private life separated. Now I realise what they even wanted to show my during my art study: I’am my art. My photography is the way I see the world.
I prefer making pictures in Germany I became a thing for me. It’s not just crossing the border but Germany became an artistic playground for me with people that support my work. Yes I do make pictures in my home country in the Netherlands but the vibe and support is different. Mabe It just help me focus on my work. When I’m in the Netherlands I have my family, daily work, and my opera hobby. But in Germany I have my creative family an then I’m only focus on my art.
So short 2025:
Found friends back. Made new friends. Found people I met long a ago and becaome friends. Let some old friends go.
Just life live the way it suits you. Connect with those you feel comfortable with. Dare to dream and don’t be afraid to realise them.
So 2025 was start dreaming, 2026 will be living the dream!!
With love,
Helene
Connect the stars
Summer blog this one is always the hardest to pick a subject. After a few weeks of and doing fun things it’s hard to pick a subject. Shall I write about my vacation to Nurnberg or dedicate a blog about the Wicker ritual at Castlefest. What about my visit to Schloss Moyland and the Marina Abramovic & MAI exhibition. Or are they not so far apart? And is it all about connection? Embrace and let go, breath in and breath out.
So my summer was a magical evening in Nurnberg a concert of Deine Lakaien that felt it was directed by the universe. With a thunderstorm that delayed the show but with the perfect timing of the sun breaking through and bats flying over as the sun went down. That brings me to Castlefest festival (pictures) where they have the wicker ritual. It was 10 years ago after my first time I put something in the wicker. A ritual with some rain before it started just like with the concert. But magical during the show. The wicker is a personal ritual where people put something in the wicker to let go. Because of the theme I decided to let go and embrace. Embrace myself and continue on my path.
Between everything I went to the exhibition of Marina Abramovic & MAI. Personally she’s one of my favourite modern artist and always fascinated me during my art studies. The way Marina Abramovic connect how her work connect people. Her student from MAI who performed work that connect Abramovic and Beuys and then to the audience. And yes you can argue on the personal visions and believe. I also do not always agree with the material or form they use. But in the core it’s all about connection and reflection.
You were not just a visitor. You were my life.
– Marina Abrovic about Uley 2012
You might ask yourself: Helene you had a fun summer but still how does it connect? Wel for me I see a clear connection between all three events. It’s all about connection and love. A reflection to connecting with yourself. From to love yourself to breathing from you core. It’s all about you just you being you. Meet people connect to people. For a year I did a lot of walks and made pictures and later I found out it were walks to connect to myself. Sometimes some walks along other times I’m alone. But it’s just like life if we dare to connect we can grow and see the most beautfitul things.
The starts in sky are like dots we just need to connect them. We just need to look up and don’t be afraid to connect.
Helene
Breath
Marina Abramovic & MAI im Dialog mit Joseph Beuys
Photo impression of the exhibition.
Castlefest festival 02-08-2025 Lisse (NL)
Pictures from: De Kooi, Dikanda, the wicker ritual, Carmarna, The SIDH.
De Kooi
Dikanda
The Wicker Ritual
Garmarna
The SIDH
Larp Kids quest
Visitors
Ollie Alpaca 2019
From the old box 2019
Exhibition Weg naar de vrijheid, 75 jaar bevrijding van oss (way to freedom, 75years of liberty in Oss), Jan Cunen Museum, Oss (NL) 2-6-2019 till 22-9-2019
Ollie Alpaca
2019
Made from Yarn (scheepjes Namaste)
The alpaca represents love and determination. The alpaca is a guide to help you climb the highest mountains to find your path. The alpaca can carry your burton and make you happy with their soft character. The colours red and green stand for nature and power. Purple for the divine.The softness of the yarn represents rest.
The alpaca represents the journey to freedom a devine journey to inner rest and luck.
Lente-concert 18-05-2025
Conductor: Hans Lamers
Piano: Sunghee Jo
Solo: Evalia Zilverschoon (soprano), Erik Bomers (tenor)
Location: Het Ont-moet Centrum, Sint Barbaraplein 6, Oss
Date: 18 mei 2025 (SOLD OUT)
PROGRAM
Rossini – Willem Tell – È il ciel sereno – koor
Verdi – La Traviata – Parigi o cara – Marjo / Erik
Stanislao Gastaldon – Musica Proibita – Hans
Donizetti – Líelisir díamore – Una furtiva lagrima – Erik
Donizetti – Maria Stuarda – Marjo / koor
Verdi – La Traviata – LÌbiamo -Marjo / Erik / koor
Break
Bellini – Norma – Norma Viene – koor
Bellini – Norma – Casta diva – Marjo / koor
Rodgers – Oklahoma – O what a beautiful morning – Marjo / Erik / koor
Gershwin- Porgy and Bess – Oh I can’t sit down – koor
Sartori – Con te partiro – Marjo / Erik
Althouse – Nightingale – koor
Smetena – Polka uit De Verkochte Bruid – koor
Lehàr – Die Lustige Witwe – Vilja Lied – Marjo / koor
Lehàr – Die lustige Witwe – Lippen schweigen – Marjo / Erik / koor
Strauss – Zigeunerbaron – Wer uns getraut – Marjo / Erik / koor
Sieczynski – Wien, Wien nur du allein -Marjo / Erik / koor
Photogallery by Gerold Smits
Don’t ask me to make pictures of …..
This blog might come over as a slightly arrogant blog. But so many times I hear: oh, you are a photographer so you can make picture…
- at my wedding
- of my company
- for my ID
- of my child
- of my dog
- a funeral
- and so on and so on.
And I say NO!
Mostly people are surprised if I say no. Yes I have almost all the degrees in photography (I only miss a master that’s a different thing) so yes I learned all the techniques. My specialisation is concert & documentary photography. That also doesn’t mean I make pictures of every concert with my camera (mostly a snapshot with my iPhone like everyone now days). During my photography studies I didn’t even take all assignments. It’s good to set your borders as an artist in whatever art you make. As a student it’s normal to experiment and discover your interest and talent. But as a photographer here in the Netherlands people expect you do everything. But it’s good to have a specialisation.
So what kind of photography do I do?
At the moment I started to pick up my photography as a freelance independent photographer and I only make picture for my own art and on request. So a concert here and there when it fits my agenda. Art project at my own pace.
I feel great the way I can reinvent myself as an artist compared to the pressure of when I was studying. I have control and do what I love work with people I want to work with who fits in my vision. With Noize Magazine I’ve had a great time but now I don’t have big pressure deadline and focus on developing my own style in my own time. So let’s make art!!!
Dare to be arrogant!
Now I’m getting older I start to understand artist that seemed arrogant when I was young. Like stories I heard about Corbijn asking outrageous fees to make pictures or the attitude of Erwin Olaf. They are strict in there own rules they made to protect them as an artist. To have control of there own art. So now I don’t see arrogant as a bad thing but just a way to focus on your personal work. The hard thing is the balance between appear arrogant and still be open to new things. Boundaries are hard to set because before you realise you start to build walls instead of bridges.
So yes you can always ask me to make pictures of your wedding/dog whatever. Just accept if I ask a high fee or even say no.
With love,
Helene
