For editorial and commercial inquiries, please contact:
+31(0)6-5118 7009
info@bjornstaps.nl
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social
@bjornstaps
+31(0)6-5118 7009
info@bjornstaps.nl
social
@bjornstaps
Bjorn Staps is an experienced photographer based in the Netherlands. He studied at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague and works on both long-term documentary projects and assignments for (inter)national commercial and editorial clients. He is also a senior lecturer at the Photography Department of the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague. His photographic works are characterized by strong compositions, use of light and color, but above all by the natural moments in which the main characters in his photos experience life.
In his work, Bjorn explores subjects such as identity, self-expression, and freedom. In his current project, 'European Cowboy', he shows a close-knit community of young cowboys in Europe who practice bull riding, a part of the classic (American) rodeo. These young men do not necessarily conform to the obvious norms of a rapidly changing society, but choose to shape their lives based on their personal wishes and ideals. In ‘European Cowboy’, Bjorn interweaves well known visual elements from the mythical American West with the realism of this quest for independence and heroism.
In 2023, Bjorn's book 'European Cowboy' was published by Lecturis.
books
European Cowboy
152-pages hardcover book published by Lecturis, The Netherlands 2023
Fortune Flows
96-pages hardcover book published by 99Publishers, The Netherlands 2012
publication/client list (selection)
ABAB / ABB / ALD automotive / ANWB / Aviko / Brabantia / Bosch / Enexis / Expert / Hoogvliet / HKNN / Huntsman / MelkUnie / Mitsubishi / NRC / Philips / Rad Power Bikes / PostNL / Schiphol Group / Securitas / Signify / SWZ / VGZ / Volkskrant Magazine / a.o.
awards
DCA Award (Huntsman campaign, 2024)
Het Cultuurfonds (Grant Recipient, 2023)
KunstLoc (Grant Recipient, 2023)
Bonk Award (SWZ campaign, 2022)
Belfast Photo Fesival (shortlist, 2021)
BKKC (Grant Recipient, 2012)
PANL (nomination, 1999)
education
B.A. in Photography, Royal Academy of Art (KABK) The Hague, The Netherlands
B.Ed. Arts in Education, Fontys University of the Arts, Tilburg, The Netherlands
teaching experience
Bjorn is a senior lecturer at the Photography Department of the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague, The Netherlands.
exhibitions
Rotterdam Photo / Amsterdam Museum / Art Amsterdam / Centrum voor de Kunsten Eindhoven / China op de Kaap Rotterdam / Fotofestival Naarden / (We like) Art Amsterdam / Hoogtij Den Haag / KunstRAI / KunstScene / Realisme Beurs Amsterdam / PhotoNOLA New Orleans / Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam / a.o.
press, publications, interviews, etc. (selection)
DuPho, Dutch Photographers Day, Amsterdam, 21-10-2024
Naomi Habashy, Mirthe Heijink ‘8 tellen in levensgevaar’ De Volkskrant Magazine, 18-05-2024
Michaël de Moor ‘Western in Westerloo’, De Morgen, 11-05-2024
‘European Cowboy’ is included in the library of the Donald C. and Elizabeth M. Dickinson Research Center at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma USA, 07-05-2024
Krysta Paffrath ‘Exploring the European Cowboy’, Modern Cowboy Magazine USA, 28-04-2024
‘European Cowboy’ Focus Magazine, 11-08-2023
Joep Eijkens ‘Bjorn fotografeert de wereld van de Europese Cowboy’, Brabant Cultureel, 28-07-2023
‘European Cowboy’ DigiPhoto Pro, 29-06-2023
‘Vrijheid, moed en mannelijkheid’, De Nieuwsklok 14-06-2023
‘Riskante rodeo in België’, De Limburger LS, 20-05-2024
Joost Goutziers ‘Gebroken ribben, hersenschudding’, Algemeen Dagblad , 14-06-2023
Joost Goutziers ‘Ook Europese cowboys breken hierbij hun ribben’, Brabants Dagblad, BN De Stem, 14-06-2023
Photobook Daily, Photo-Eye, 08-06-2023
NPO Radio 2 ‘Cowboys van de Lage Landen’, Spijkers met Koppen 13-05-2023
Mandula van den Berg ‘8 seconden op 1000 kilo’, NRC, 09-05-2023
Denise Woerdman ‘European Cowboy’, Kiekie 35, september 2022
Frenk Klein Arfman ’Man vs Stier’, Panorama, 04-2022
‘European Cowboy’ Denim Boulevard Milano, 09-03-2021
‘On the Move’ Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, 08-2014 01-2015
Jeroen Jazet, ‘Van opmaak tot media aandacht’ Shutr Magazine, 29-08-2012
Pernille La Lau, interview, Koffietijd, RTL4, 10-02-2012
‘Stromend Geluk/Happiness Flows’ is included in the Indie Photobook Library (iPL), Washington D.C. USA, 09-02-2012
Dieter van den Berg ‘Uitstervend geluk bij de Chinees’ Algemeen Dagblad, 01-02-2012
Daphne Dekkers, RTL Boulevard, 23-01-2012
Bart Koetsenruijter ‘Foe Yong Haai’ De Volkskrant Magazine, 12-02-2010
Ben Laloua, Frank Bruggeman, Ernst van der Hoeven ‘Club Donny #5’ 2010
behind the scenes
In his work, Bjorn explores subjects such as identity, self-expression, and freedom. In his current project, 'European Cowboy', he shows a close-knit community of young cowboys in Europe who practice bull riding, a part of the classic (American) rodeo. These young men do not necessarily conform to the obvious norms of a rapidly changing society, but choose to shape their lives based on their personal wishes and ideals. In ‘European Cowboy’, Bjorn interweaves well known visual elements from the mythical American West with the realism of this quest for independence and heroism.
In 2023, Bjorn's book 'European Cowboy' was published by Lecturis.
books
European Cowboy
152-pages hardcover book published by Lecturis, The Netherlands 2023
Fortune Flows
96-pages hardcover book published by 99Publishers, The Netherlands 2012
publication/client list (selection)
ABAB / ABB / ALD automotive / ANWB / Aviko / Brabantia / Bosch / Enexis / Expert / Hoogvliet / HKNN / Huntsman / MelkUnie / Mitsubishi / NRC / Philips / Rad Power Bikes / PostNL / Schiphol Group / Securitas / Signify / SWZ / VGZ / Volkskrant Magazine / a.o.
awards
DCA Award (Huntsman campaign, 2024)
Het Cultuurfonds (Grant Recipient, 2023)
KunstLoc (Grant Recipient, 2023)
Bonk Award (SWZ campaign, 2022)
Belfast Photo Fesival (shortlist, 2021)
BKKC (Grant Recipient, 2012)
PANL (nomination, 1999)
education
B.A. in Photography, Royal Academy of Art (KABK) The Hague, The Netherlands
B.Ed. Arts in Education, Fontys University of the Arts, Tilburg, The Netherlands
teaching experience
Bjorn is a senior lecturer at the Photography Department of the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague, The Netherlands.
exhibitions
Rotterdam Photo / Amsterdam Museum / Art Amsterdam / Centrum voor de Kunsten Eindhoven / China op de Kaap Rotterdam / Fotofestival Naarden / (We like) Art Amsterdam / Hoogtij Den Haag / KunstRAI / KunstScene / Realisme Beurs Amsterdam / PhotoNOLA New Orleans / Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam / a.o.
press, publications, interviews, etc. (selection)
DuPho, Dutch Photographers Day, Amsterdam, 21-10-2024
Naomi Habashy, Mirthe Heijink ‘8 tellen in levensgevaar’ De Volkskrant Magazine, 18-05-2024
Michaël de Moor ‘Western in Westerloo’, De Morgen, 11-05-2024
‘European Cowboy’ is included in the library of the Donald C. and Elizabeth M. Dickinson Research Center at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma USA, 07-05-2024
Krysta Paffrath ‘Exploring the European Cowboy’, Modern Cowboy Magazine USA, 28-04-2024
‘European Cowboy’ Focus Magazine, 11-08-2023
Joep Eijkens ‘Bjorn fotografeert de wereld van de Europese Cowboy’, Brabant Cultureel, 28-07-2023
‘European Cowboy’ DigiPhoto Pro, 29-06-2023
‘Vrijheid, moed en mannelijkheid’, De Nieuwsklok 14-06-2023
‘Riskante rodeo in België’, De Limburger LS, 20-05-2024
Joost Goutziers ‘Gebroken ribben, hersenschudding’, Algemeen Dagblad , 14-06-2023
Joost Goutziers ‘Ook Europese cowboys breken hierbij hun ribben’, Brabants Dagblad, BN De Stem, 14-06-2023
Photobook Daily, Photo-Eye, 08-06-2023
NPO Radio 2 ‘Cowboys van de Lage Landen’, Spijkers met Koppen 13-05-2023
Mandula van den Berg ‘8 seconden op 1000 kilo’, NRC, 09-05-2023
Denise Woerdman ‘European Cowboy’, Kiekie 35, september 2022
Frenk Klein Arfman ’Man vs Stier’, Panorama, 04-2022
‘European Cowboy’ Denim Boulevard Milano, 09-03-2021
‘On the Move’ Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, 08-2014 01-2015
Jeroen Jazet, ‘Van opmaak tot media aandacht’ Shutr Magazine, 29-08-2012
Pernille La Lau, interview, Koffietijd, RTL4, 10-02-2012
‘Stromend Geluk/Happiness Flows’ is included in the Indie Photobook Library (iPL), Washington D.C. USA, 09-02-2012
Dieter van den Berg ‘Uitstervend geluk bij de Chinees’ Algemeen Dagblad, 01-02-2012
Daphne Dekkers, RTL Boulevard, 23-01-2012
Bart Koetsenruijter ‘Foe Yong Haai’ De Volkskrant Magazine, 12-02-2010
Ben Laloua, Frank Bruggeman, Ernst van der Hoeven ‘Club Donny #5’ 2010
behind the scenes