Thijs Friederich’s journey with photography began in childhood, but took a serious turn in 2008 while he was living in Chicago, where he experimented with long exposures, city compositions and engaging with the nascent Flickr community. Returning to the Netherlands, a renewed love for the outdoors during the COVID period drew him deep into landscape photography.

His focus remains largely close to home. He considers the Amsterdam Forest and its surroundings to be endlessly surprising and often overlooked by fellow photographers. He also chases iconic Dutch landscapes, such as Zaanse Schans and Speulderbos, constantly hunting for the right light, be it fog or the golden hour, that transforms ordinary places into epic scenes. While his primary work is rooted in the Netherlands, international travel offers a welcome new canvas, providing different light, textures and stories to tell. Friederich utilizes wide-angle lenses for sweeping compositions, macro for hidden details, and occasionally employs a drone. He stresses that color, creativity and timing are paramount, emphasizing the importance of being in the right place when nature decides to show off.