“As a visually driven storyteller with a deep respect for Indigenous cultures and a proven track record in professional photography, I bring authenticity, creativity, and a unique perspective to every project I touch. Rooted in my experiences living and working in the heart of Australia, my work reflects a profound connection to the landscapes, stories, and people that inspire me. With an intuitive eye for detail and a passion for meaningful narratives, I aim to create images that resonate deeply and transcend borders.”
It was in 1991, when I first picked up my dad’s retro camera at the age of 16. That moment was so transformative that I now carry it with me—literally—as a tattoo. I approach everything I do with a mix of creativity and curiosity, fueled by my love for storytelling, the power of love (which inspired my logo), and my deep interest/passion for nature, astrophysics (hence my love for night photography), science/biology, physical anthropology, archaeology (any), ancient cultures.
My fascination with Australian history, particularly its Indigenous culture and the anthropology of it, runs deep. As a dual citizen of Australia and the Netherlands, I cherish the enduring 400+ years of connection between these two nations—a bond that reflects my own identity.
I graduated cum laude in Art & Advertising/Design and have additional qualifications in Analogue Film Photography, Digital Photography, Art History, and Colour Psychology & Colour Physics. And also graduated also magna cum laude at the Graphic Design College in Eindhoven, twice. I’m driven by a love for the scientific and creative sides of photography, blending these to create images that are both technically refined and emotionally powerful. Over the years, I’ve organised photography classes and workshops for tourists visiting Alice Springs’ breathtaking national parks, collaborating with Tourism NT and park rangers to highlight these hidden gems. The parks, more ancient than the Jurassic Era, are awe-inspiring treasures worth exploring. Alice Springs, despite challenges with tourism due to rising crime rates, holds untapped beauty that I’ve passionately shared through my work.
Beyond local projects, I’ve traveled across Australia, the USA, and Bali, capturing weddings and documenting extremely isolated and remote landscapes/areas/ indigenous communities and outback stations to document these for clients. My work has been featured and commisioned for and in magazines like RM Williams Outback, Cosmopolitan Bride, and Australian Traveller magazine, The Mining Courant, BBC, almost all UK Newspapers, The NT news, Sydney Harold Sun, amongst many others. Some assignments took me hours to get to the location, driving 5 to 10 hours or flying for 1-4 hours by commercial plane or say one to two hours by a small 4 seater plane—right into the heart of the desert and it’s most well kept spots and “secrets” barely seen by any tourists. Mostly on Aboriginal owned land, to capture for their government or other clients, (always with permission and permits which required preparations well in advanced some even months, including briefings of sacret sites and do and don’ts set by tribal elders) to capture places and moments that could only be found in the middle of true nowhere!
At my core, I’m an artist who speaks through images rather than words. My creative process begins with a fully formed concept—a vivid, finished image in my mind. From there, I plan every detail to bring that vision to life. The end result often mirrors the image I envisioned weeks or even months before the final shot.
I truly believe that deep understanding and knowledge of (old masters and classic) art and art history will make you a better photographer. For me it’s that solid foundation and classic training and deep knowledge of composition in all it’s form, plus story telling trough visual symbolism, that, I notice, I subconciously utilise and apply in every photo I take. And give my images that extra solid feel and extra meaning/context.
In 2007, I turned my dream into reality by moving to Alice Springs, Central Australia, where I spent 12 incredible years working as a professional photographer. While my heart remains deeply connected to the red deserts of Australia, I also embrace the beauty of life in the Netherlands, blending the richness of both cultures in my work and perspective.
To see the awesome wild landscapes, aerials, never published before photographs of untamed wilderness and moments from my life there, and also in the Netherlands, check out the Landscape section of my portfolio: Flickr Gallery.
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Cover of my self published book.
Photographing for Zumba USA
Photographing for Zumba Founder Beto Perez
I had the incredible opportunity to work on a three-day assignment for Beto Perez, the founder of Zumba, as he traveled across Australia. His mission was to draw inspiration from Indigenous tribal dances to incorporate into new Zumba class routine role was to document every step of his journey—capturing the people he met, the dances he joined, and the Zumba classes he held. The shoot took place in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, a 499-kilometer drive from my home in Alice Springs. It was an unforgettable experience to witness the blend of cultures and creativity come to life through my lens.
Below: The town where I used to live for twelve years Alice Springs. Northern Territory, Central Australia.
ABOUT JOYCE VAN DIJK
About Me
“As a visually driven storyteller with a deep respect for Indigenous cultures and a proven track record in professional photography, I bring authenticity, creativity, and a unique perspective to every project I touch. Rooted in my experiences living and working in the heart of Australia, my work reflects a profound connection to the landscapes, stories, and people that inspire me. With an intuitive eye for detail and a passion for meaningful narratives, I aim to create images that resonate deeply and transcend borders.”
It was in 1991, when I first picked up my dad’s retro camera at the age of 16. That moment was so transformative that I now carry it with me—literally—as a tattoo. I approach everything I do with a mix of creativity and curiosity, fueled by my love for storytelling, the power of love (which inspired my logo), and my deep interest/passion for nature, astrophysics (hence my love for night photography), science/biology, physical anthropology, archaeology (any), ancient cultures.
My fascination with Australian history, particularly its Indigenous culture and the anthropology of it, runs deep. As a dual citizen of Australia and the Netherlands, I cherish the enduring 400+ years of connection between these two nations—a bond that reflects my own identity.
I graduated cum laude in Art & Advertising/Design and have additional qualifications in Analogue Film Photography, Digital Photography, Art History, and Colour Psychology & Colour Physics. And also graduated also magna cum laude at the Graphic Design College in Eindhoven, twice. I’m driven by a love for the scientific and creative sides of photography, blending these to create images that are both technically refined and emotionally powerful. Over the years, I’ve organised photography classes and workshops for tourists visiting Alice Springs’ breathtaking national parks, collaborating with Tourism NT and park rangers to highlight these hidden gems. The parks, more ancient than the Jurassic Era, are awe-inspiring treasures worth exploring. Alice Springs, despite challenges with tourism due to rising crime rates, holds untapped beauty that I’ve passionately shared through my work.
Beyond local projects, I’ve traveled across Australia, the USA, and Bali, capturing weddings and documenting extremely isolated and remote landscapes/areas/ indigenous communities and outback stations to document these for clients. My work has been featured and commisioned for and in magazines like RM Williams Outback, Cosmopolitan Bride, and Australian Traveller magazine, The Mining Courant, BBC, almost all UK Newspapers, The NT news, Sydney Harold Sun, amongst many others. Some assignments took me hours to get to the location, driving 5 to 10 hours or flying for 1-4 hours by commercial plane or say one to two hours by a small 4 seater plane—right into the heart of the desert and it’s most well kept spots and “secrets” barely seen by any tourists. Mostly on Aboriginal owned land, to capture for their government or other clients, (always with permission and permits which required preparations well in advanced some even months, including briefings of sacret sites and do and don’ts set by tribal elders) to capture places and moments that could only be found in the middle of true nowhere!
At my core, I’m an artist who speaks through images rather than words. My creative process begins with a fully formed concept—a vivid, finished image in my mind. From there, I plan every detail to bring that vision to life. The end result often mirrors the image I envisioned weeks or even months before the final shot.
I truly believe that deep understanding and knowledge of (old masters and classic) art and art history will make you a better photographer. For me it’s that solid foundation and classic training and deep knowledge of composition in all it’s form, plus story telling trough visual symbolism, that, I notice, I subconciously utilise and apply in every photo I take. And give my images that extra solid feel and extra meaning/context.
In 2007, I turned my dream into reality by moving to Alice Springs, Central Australia, where I spent 12 incredible years working as a professional photographer. While my heart remains deeply connected to the red deserts of Australia, I also embrace the beauty of life in the Netherlands, blending the richness of both cultures in my work and perspective.
To see the awesome wild landscapes, aerials, never published before photographs of untamed wilderness and moments from my life there, and also in the Netherlands, check out the Landscape section of my portfolio: Flickr Gallery.
Photographing for Zumba USA
Photographing for Zumba Founder Beto Perez
I had the incredible opportunity to work on a three-day assignment for Beto Perez, the founder of Zumba, as he traveled across Australia. His mission was to draw inspiration from Indigenous tribal dances to incorporate into new Zumba class routine role was to document every step of his journey—capturing the people he met, the dances he joined, and the Zumba classes he held. The shoot took place in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, a 499-kilometer drive from my home in Alice Springs. It was an unforgettable experience to witness the blend of cultures and creativity come to life through my lens.
Below: The town where I used to live for twelve years Alice Springs. Northern Territory, Central Australia.