Caroline Coehorst, the interior photographer, enrich the portfolios of living4media and House of Pictures with her beautiful images. In our interview with her, she gives fascinating insights into her life in front of and behind the camera…
Have you always wanted to be a photographer?
I am actually a visual artist. But during my studies at the HKA in Arnhem, I quickly realized that photography was my favorite medium.
Caroline, do you remember your first camera?
It was a little Nikon FG with a 50mm lens. Then I bought an old Mamiya 600. Both were analog cameras and I learned to develop film and work in the darkroom.
What happened after graduation?
After the HKA I did another postgraduate study: De Ateliers in Haarlem. There we were taught by internationally renowned artists, a fantastic opportunity to enter the art world, which is otherwise difficult to access.
What were you photographing during this time?
I used my Mamiya to look for interesting places in Haarlem, where I studied. Later, I also travelled to Antwerp, Brussels, and various German cities. After finishing my studies around 1995, I mainly visited old shops in Belgium, such as carpet or fabric shops, especially those that were opened in the 70’s and where time stood still. The outdated interior and the design of the assortment fascinated me. The atmosphere of the rooms as well as the colors and materials of the goods. It was interesting to see if I could create images that stood on their own. My photos were exhibited in various museums and galleries, which still fills me with pride.
And when did you make the transition from fine art to photography?
After my husband and I lived and worked in Amsterdam for a few years, we moved back to Haarlem. It’s a beautiful city to live in because it’s close to Amsterdam and the sea. I gradually stopped making art, mainly because it was difficult to combine traveling for my work with raising two young children. At that time, my husband got a very good job as an editor at Living magazine. It was a leading and innovative lifestyle magazine with a lot of travel features. For me, it was a chance to enter the world of magazines with small jobs and assignments. I had many different assignments for many well-known titles in the Netherlands. Interior photography came later.
And what’s different now?
In the last few years I have concentrated on interior photography, just like in my time as a visual artist, except that it is commercial work. But in the end, the most important thing, at least for me, is to do something that makes me happy. This is something I have passed on to my children, who are now out of the house and both in the creative field.
What does your work involve?
For several years now I (Caroline Coehorst) have been working as a team with Jeske Weel (styling) and my husband Chris Muyres (text) under the name “De Binnenkijkers“. We have the same taste and interest in interior design. In addition, we all have a great love for vintage design. Together we look for and select the houses we want to photograph. Working in a team is great, everyone has their own skills and together we are much stronger than each of us individually. Jeske is super organized, she made most of our website, and most importantly, she is trend-conscious and has an original eye for interiors. Chris knows how to add a special touch to any text, he is very knowledgeable, but he also pays attention to the people behind the decor. We have become more and more professional in our work, because interior design involves a lot of work. For example, good contact with the residents, which is very important and which we want to maintain very carefully. But also selling our work, contact with various magazines and all the other things related to the shoot take up more and more time.
Dream team: photographer Caroline Coehorst und stylist Jeske Weel
Which project is particularly close to your heart?
The Vintage and Interior book project. The idea of publishing a book came up during the Corona pandemic, when Chris and I had time with friends and colleagues to realize our secret dream. The book features 17 different vintage interiors and includes surprising interviews with the people who live in them.
How do you approach photography?
As a photographer, I mainly look through a lens at a specific area where I create a composition, paying close attention to proportions and color. Not only is the overall image important, but also the individual corners. You can’t see the whole room at once, so it’s important to create cohesive compositions that captivate the eye. I look for a certain clarity and calm in the composition and atmosphere.
Imaginative interior dreams: Caroline’s features & single images on living4media >
What’s most important to you when photographing?
For me, the homes I photograph should not be too predictable. I prefer the homes of creatives, people with a creative profession, who are individual. What makes interior photography interesting for Jeske and me is that we learn a lot about the residents during the shoot. It’s always an exciting challenge to compose the image in a way that tells a personal story, but also gives a good impression of the house’s special features and inspires the reader.
Explore the portfolio of Caroline Coehorst on House of Pictures >
