About me

I’m a photographer with a strong interest in people and in how images can tell a story.

What matters most to me is that someone feels they are portrayed honestly and is pleasantly surprised by the result. I want people to recognise themselves, but also to see something they might not have expected: a sense of confidence, presence, or beauty that feels real to them. I’m interested in images that don’t just stand on their own, but relate to something larger: a moment, a relationship, or a personal context.

I work with attention and intention. Before a shoot, I prepare carefully and often use moodboards to align ideas and expectations with the person I’m photographing, creating a shared starting point rather than a fixed outcome. Finding the right balance between guidance and connection is central to how I work. My photography is considered and styled, but always respectful of the person in front of the camera.

Black-and-white portrait of a man with short hair and stubble, looking to the side, wearing a dark T-shirt.

Michael Kattenbeld
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Alongside my photography practice, I have built a long-standing career in design, working with large and mid-sized brands on complex, people-centered projects.

That background influences how I work as a photographer — with structure, clarity, and a strong sense of direction. Photography has been part of my life for a long time, and in recent years I’ve chosen to develop it more intentionally as a parallel and growing practice alongside my work in design.