My journey with photography began at the age of 14, on the sunlit hills surrounding Florence. It was there, under the guidance of my father, that I first learned to handle a camera — a classic analog Nikkormat from Nikon. Together, we explored the fundamentals: ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and lenses. That camera taught me to observe and to trust the process — slowly, frame by frame.

Before I turned 18, I was already developing black and white film myself in the darkroom — an experience that grounded me in the physical craft of photography, long before pixels took over. It was hands-on, imperfect, and incredibly rewarding.

I’ve returned to Florence many times since. On one of those trips, I created my first urban reportage, focusing not on fleeting moments, but on architecture, geometry, and the discipline of lines. That quiet walk through the city center showed me how powerful photography can be when it slows down and listens.

Later, I pursued formal training at the Syntra school in Antwerp, where I refined my techniques, especially in studio portraiture. There, I learned to shape light, to build atmosphere, and to bring out character through composition.

Today, I work with Sony digital gear, embracing the speed and precision of modern tools. The analog world I began in has been replaced by a digital one — ruled by screens and pixels. Photography has become more mainstream, more accessible, and more competitive than ever.

Everybody can now be a photographer. But it still demands real knowledge, persistence, and a willingness to grow.

My mindset, most of the time, is turned toward the present and the future — staying creative, adapting to change, and pushing myself to keep evolving in a landscape where standing out requires more than just good images. It takes vision, consistency, and a lot of soul.

Still, my eye also turns to the past... and maybe someday, I’ll return to analog.

Thank you for visiting. I hope the images you find here carry both the foundation of my early days and the edge of what’s still to come.

Brieuc KESTENS, 5th of August 2025