About Erik W
Hello World !
My name is Erik.
I am born and raised in Belgium, with a Belgian passport.
A Kid
At the age of 8, my father was working for a well known newspaper in Belgium. On the yearly family day, I was able to choose an initiation by a professional. I didn’t hesitate, I wanted to see what the man with the big beard and his photocamera could show me..
Initiating in the development room, I was stunned. It made me happy. And later when I was brought back to my parents, the photographer told them ‘send him to photography school. He is a natural talent.’ These words never left my mind.
Growing Up
Traveling and adventure has always been my passion. When I was 18 yo, I had already the desire to explore different countries. I even was already thinking to relocate to another destination. When I was 25, that was 1997, I traveled for the first time out of Europe, I visited Venezuela and Isla Margarita. It was an amazing trip and my view upon life changed slightly.
Finland
When I relocated to Finland in 2004, I became more ‘one’ with nature. The Scandinavians have a remarquable lifestyle in the outstanding beauty of the Earth’s North. Living that combination was an eye opener. I was living in an economy that was 10 years behind. Productivity was lower, but the relaxation was higher. My vision upon life changed for a second time, and I became focused on capturing it in my own way. That own way became my trademart, and it’s the mix between capturing impressive places, not really showing the identity.
Showing my works to the world was never about flexing. It is about showing the impression of a location with mystery. That is my art.
In that moment, I did it unconscious. Later, it became my trademart.
My Big Dreams
In 2005, I was back in Belgium. I decided to make time for myself and travel to the 2 places that I desired for too long. My ultimate bucket list.
I traveled to Macchu Piccu and hiked the Inca Trail. 4 days of rough and not-always-safe trails, full of emotion, without light pollution, without air pollution. The beauty of Earth and ancient culture, packed in one trip.
The same year, I traveled to Kiruna to see the Northern Light. I spent a night in the Ice Hotel, I was leading the husky sledge, and I was racing the snowscooter on a frozen lake. It made me happy.
The sad thing is, I lost most pictures becasue of a failing hard drive. But the memory remains like a burning fire.
Africa
In 2017, I traveled to Zanzibar to make a documentary of the kite-surfers. As Africa works addictive on most people, it did for me as well. In March 2018, I had my exhibition in Antwerp. After that, I relocated to Dar es Salaam in mainland Tanzania. I lived there until 2025.
As I am ready to explore more, I will make more interesting pictures along the way.
If you are interested to buy my art, contact me for the ongoing projects.