ABOUT Valentino Stakel

My journey began as a hobbyist in street photography, where I not only mastered the technical aspects but also discovered its poetry. Storytelling runs like a red thread through my work. With a self-taught mindset, I think outside the box and push the boundaries of photography.

My first exhibition, Rotterdam in Silence, took place at Galerie Niffo. This only fueled my hunger for more. I immersed myself in the works of great photographers—Helmut Newton, William Klein, Eugene W. Smith, and Josef Koudelka—filling notebooks with insights. Luck was on my side: more commissions started coming in, and I felt my breakthrough was just around the corner.

During the pandemic, my experimentation continued. I collaborated with a coach to refine my artistic skills and further developed my identity as an artist. My inspirations range from the dramatic lighting of Caravaggio and the cinematography of Gordon Willis to the rhythm and energy of Tupac Shakur. Their work challenges me to push my limits and bring our stories to life in a dynamic way.

Welcome to my world.