Hi there!
I’m Floortje den Hertog-Daamen — 30 years old, married to my wonderful husband, and since September 2022, proud mama to the sweetest little boy. We live in Renkum (Gelderland), with our tiny dog Napoleon keeping us company.
Photography has been a part of my life since I was 15 — nearly half my life! I’m completely self-taught, and along the way I’ve been lucky to learn from and grow alongside so many creative souls. The friends I’ve made through photography have all helped shape the work I do today, and I’m deeply grateful for that.
I have a background in social work and a deep appreciation for the work of Brené Brown. I love real conversations, good food, and great coffee — which I get to serve regularly as a barista three days a week. I’m also a big fan of beautiful bread, French music, and the occasional glass of wine.
When I see something I love, my first instinct is often: “I bet I can make that myself.”
That mindset leads me to all kinds of creative adventures — from cooking and baking to pottery and sewing classes. I also love drying flowers, making wreaths, and diving into late-night projects like soap and candle-making. I also love to sing, in another lifetime I would definetly want to be a broadway star. You could definitely call me a creative all-rounder!
Through it all, photography remains my greatest passion — a steady, joyful thread in my life.
But in 2017, something shifted. I discovered a second calling: body image.
After watching the documentary Embrace by the Body Image Movement (founded by Taryn Brumfitt), I started to see my relationship with my own body — and the way we speak about bodies in general — in a whole new light. I began having honest conversations with others, and something inside me was sparked. That spark has since grown into a mission I’ve made part of my work.
Over the years, I’ve realized that what I love most is creating artistic portraits. I’m not a documentary-style photographer — I don’t just “capture” moments. I want to create something together with the person in front of my camera.
To connect. To understand their story. To turn it into art.
I want to show people the beauty I see in them — often a beauty they’ve forgotten or never truly seen themselves.
In a world shaped by narrow beauty ideals, I choose to radically embrace diversity, softness, and self-love. With my camera, I aim to capture the beauty in every human — regardless of age, shape, identity, or background.
Whether you already feel confident in your body or are still on the journey toward self-acceptance, my goal is to help you see yourself with gentler eyes.
And I want to be honest: I don’t have all the answers.
But I’m always learning. I’m always curious.
And I’m committed to exploring new ways we can reconnect with our bodies — gently, creatively, and in a way that feels real.
In October 2024, I joined a photography retreat in the heart of Tuscany — a week I’ll never forget.
Hosted by photographers Chantal Convertini and Lena Aires, the retreat was rooted in analogue photography, deep connection, and the creative process. Both Chantal and Lena are known for their poetic, intuitive approach to film photography — capturing the human experience with softness, honesty, and depth. Their work is emotional and raw, always grounded in presence.
I joined with the intention to learn and be inspired, but I left with so much more than that.
One of the most meaningful parts of the retreat was spending time in front of the camera — something I don’t often get to do myself. It was powerful to experience the vulnerability of being seen, and to practice what I so often encourage in others. It reminded me how important it is to show up with your whole self — even when it feels a little scary.
Throughout the week, I formed beautiful connections with the other creatives in the group. There was something special about being surrounded by people who share the same love for storytelling, light, and emotion. We laughed, created, rested, and supported each other — it felt like a space of true belonging.
Another highlight: I learned how to shoot on 35mm film, guided by Chantal and Lena’s expertise. Analogue photography felt like a slower, more intentional way of seeing. Every frame counted. Every click had meaning. It reconnected me with why I fell in love with photography in the first place — not for perfection, but for presence.
The retreat was more than a workshop. It was a return to myself, to the art of feeling, and to the magic of simply being.
