Welcome to my travel photography blog! I’m Nicole Heijmerikx, a 22-year-old Italian-Dutch photographer capturing authentic cultures, landscapes, and the beautiful imperfections of the world.
Hi! I’m Nicole Heijmerikx. I’m 22 years old, born and raised in Milan, Italy, with proud Dutch roots from my father’s side.
If you are reading this, you probably share my love for discovering new places, understanding diverse cultures, and seeing the world through a creative lens. I am a travel and landscape photographer, but before I talk about f-stops, focal lengths, and my upcoming travels, I want to take you back to where this all began. My journey didn’t start with professional gear; it started with a child’s curiosity and a very old, low-resolution digital camera.
Where It All Began: A Vintage Camera and a School Trip
My very first “assignment” as a travel photographer happened in elementary school. Before a class trip to the beautiful city of Mantova, Italy, my dad lent me an early-generation digital camera. It was tiny, clunky, and took incredibly low-quality photos by today’s standards.
When I came back home and we downloaded the images onto the family PC, we noticed something unexpected. Amidst the blurry, pixelated shots, there was a distinct touch of creativity—angles and perspectives that you wouldn’t typically expect from a child. My parents saw that spark, and the following year, they trusted me with the camera again for my school trip to Verona.
By the time I started middle school, that spark had turned into a flame. I received a newer Samsung digital camera for my birthday, and suddenly, I was photographing everything: historic villas, local parks, my friends, and everyday street scenes. It was then that I realized photography wasn’t just a fun hobby; it was going to be my greatest passion.
Finding My Focus: My First DSLR and Seeing the World
The real turning point came at the end of middle school when I was gifted my first DSLR: a Nikon D3300 with a simple 18-55mm kit lens.
That camera changed everything. I started organizing photoshoots for my friends, documenting our family vacations, and capturing my very first independent trips. My camera became my constant travel companion, and my career as a photographer became permanently intertwined with my life as a traveler.
I have always traveled extensively with my parents, and I have never been one to turn down a family vacation. While some teenagers might find family trips boring, I saw them as incredible opportunities. Thanks to my family, I’ve had the privilege of photographing breathtaking destinations like Indonesia, Madagascar, and California.
The Intersection of Tourism, Culture, and Photography
My photography is deeply influenced by my academic life. I am currently completing my degree in Tourism Management and Culture, and I will soon be pursuing a Master’s in Project Management through a joint program with POLIMI Graduate School of Management (GSoM) and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.
My studies have profoundly shaped the way I travel, giving me a deeper respect for the heritage and communities I visit. Conversely, my camera has completely transformed the way I look at other cultures.
My Photography Style: Perfect Composition, Imperfect Moments
While I consider myself primarily a landscape photographer, my work frequently brings me face-to-face with unique situations, local experiences, and incredible people.
When photographing people or cultures, my goal is to be a “fly on the wall”—an external, silent observer who never interferes with the reality of the scene. I want to capture authentic, expressive moments exactly as they happen naturally.
If I had to define my artistic philosophy in one sentence, it would be this:
“I seek the perfection of the composition, but the imperfection of the moment.”
I believe in framing a shot flawlessly so that the viewer’s eye is guided exactly where it needs to go. But within that perfect frame, I want the raw, unpolished, and beautifully imperfect reality of the moment to shine through. I want you to look at my photos, understand the scene at 100%, and feel like you are standing right there next to me.
Let’s Explore Together
Through this blog, I want to share my visual diary with you. From the bustling streets of Milan to the distant landscapes of Southeast Asia and beyond, I hope my photos inspire you to pack your bags, look closer at the world around you, and find beauty in the imperfect moments.
Welcome to my journey. I’m so glad you’re here.
Stay hungry, stay foolish, stay curious!