Why a photo is so much more than just a pretty picture!
Every day, we scroll past thousands of photos—on social media, in the news, in advertisements, on our phones. We forget most of these images within seconds.
But every now and then, something special happens: a photo catches your eye. Not because it’s technically perfect or because the composition follows all the rules, but because it moves you. It touches you.
And that is exactly what photography is all about for me.
Photography doesn't start WITH a camera
Many people think that good photography is all about the latest camera, the most expensive lens, or the perfect settings. Good equipment certainly helps, but equipment doesn't tell stories. A camera only captures what happens in front of the lens; the photographer determines what you feel.
That's where the real difference lies. Photography doesn't start with technique. Photography starts with seeing.
Looking for a story, not a picture
When I walk down a street in Dublin or stroll along Ireland’s rugged coastline, I’m not looking for a beautiful photo. I’m looking for a story. A street musician who’s been standing on the same corner for years. An old fisherman gazing out to sea. A ray of sunlight that breaks through a thick blanket of clouds for just a few seconds. These are moments you can’t plan—they happen on their own, and that’s exactly why they’re so precious.
Light Conveys Emotion
Light is perhaps the most important element of photography.
It sets the mood.
Rest, s
panning, w
poverty, m
hysteria.
The same landscape looks completely different when the sun is just breaking through the clouds than when the sky is uniformly gray.
That's why I sometimes wait for hours.
Not on a specific topic.
But with the right lighting.
Because light tells a story. It’s no coincidence that photography is defined as the capture of light!
The most important lesson: learning to observe
Perhaps this is the most important lesson photography has taught me: not to take better pictures, but to see better.
Most people see a landscape. A photographer sees lines, patterns, shadows, reflections, emotion, and connection. The more you learn to look with awareness, the more beauty you’ll discover in places you used to just walk right past.
And that doesn't just apply to photography. It applies to life, too.
Why Fine Art Photography Is Different
A fine art photograph doesn't happen by chance. It requires preparation, patience, sometimes multiple visits to the same location, and hours of waiting for that one moment when everything comes together.
When that moment finally arrives, don't just press the shutter button.
You capture a memory. A feeling. A story.
That is why I release my fine art prints in a limited edition of only five copies worldwide. Not because scarcity sounds interesting, but because each image represents a unique moment that will never come again.
A photo that sticks with you
The most beautiful photos aren't always the sharpest, the most colorful, or the most spectacular. The most beautiful photos are the ones that you can still picture in your mind years later, because they stirred something inside you, made you pause for a moment, or made you see the world differently.
And maybe that's exactly what photography is all about. Not about pixels. Not about cameras. But about connection: between the photographer, the subject, and the person who ultimately views the image.
My mission with BAKKM Photography
With BAKKM Photography, I don't just want to take photos. I want to inspire people to learn to see themselves, others, and the world around them in a new light.
Because, ultimately, I believe that photography doesn't start with a camera. It starts with attention. And maybe just one image could change the way you look at the world.
Photography that changes the way you see the world.
Curious about my work?
Would you like to view my Fine Art collection, have a compelling LinkedIn portrait taken, or participate in a photography workshop? Take a look at my website or feel free to contact me. I’d love to tell you the story behind each image. Click the button below
My name is Marcel Bakker, photographer and owner of BAKKM Photography. After more than 25 years in the business world, I know better than anyone how important focus, calm, and creativity are for both individuals and teams.
Photography teaches me to see things differently, to slow down, and to reconnect with what really matters. That philosophy is reflected in everything I do: from compelling LinkedIn portraits and timeless fine art pieces to the photography workshops and photo tours I organize.
And perhaps that is the greatest value of a workshop or photography trip: not only learning to take better photos, but above all, returning home with renewed energy, fresh inspiration, and a clear perspective.
