André Rieu's Photography by Govert de Roos

A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER FOLLOWS AT A DISTANCE, BUT

LEAVES YOU THE FREEDOM IN WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO

In the meantime it has already been three years since Govert de Roos and I met each other. He was going to take photographs for the new CD cover. A nice collaboration developed and a few months later he told me he had a huge wish which he would like to discuss with me. Govert wanted to follow me for a year in order to learn to know the person behind the artist and above all, to photograph him. I knew him as a renowned photographer. Throughout his career he has just about photographed the entire Netherlands and many famous artists. I was immediately interested in his idea, but did tell him: "Under one condition! You can follow me for one year, but I cannot notice you anywhere around!" Govert looked at me strangely, but understood what I meant.  

A good photographer follows, at a distance, but leaves you the freedom in whatever you want to do. And if at some point it clicks, that then also produces some natural spontaneous snapshots. 

Believe me, when it does not click, no matter how good a photographer you are, it will just not work. Some sort of trust needs to develop, a friendship between the lens and the person. 

The nice thing about Govert is, that he is not only a fantastic photographer, but he is also a pleasant, quiet and cheerful person, who observed me very closely during the time he was with us, and because of that he knows, like no other, when at a certain point I feel my best which of course also makes me look my best. He has a particular image in his head, and once I am there, he takes one, maybe two photos. 

Govert de Roos is a real artist, a perfectionist, just like me, and he knows his profession like no other. I considered it a huge honor to be photographed and followed by him. One of his results became this wonderful glossy magazine, but he has created so many more wonderful things for us that there will be many more to follow.

André Rieu

Thanks to John for Translating this article for us