Matthijs Kuijpers travels the world to take close-up photos of the most astonishing and little-known reptiles.
Born in the Netherlands in 1973, Matthijs Kuijpers developed a passion for animals from an early age. At just three years old, he took care of his first guinea pig and a fish, but it wasn't long before he developed a real passion for reptiles. Fascinated by the images he discovered in encyclopedias, he dreamed of exploring the jungle and observing these creatures in their natural environment. At the age of 18, he began a round-the-world trip to Madagascar, a journey that would never end. Since then, Matthijs has tirelessly scoured the most remote corners of the planet in search of the most impressive, colorful, camouflaged and even dangerous reptiles. His journey takes him from the arid deserts of Namibia to the tropical forests of Papua New Guinea, via the island of Komodo, famous for its giant lizards, and the Cape Verde Islands. His photographic technique, which consists of isolating his subjects against a black background in close-up, brings out the unique colors, textures and expressions of each animal. This original approach enables him to reveal the very essence of reptiles and amphibians, which are often little-known or misunderstood.
His work has been published in prestigious international magazines such as National Geographic, Géo, Photo and Terre Sauvage, as well as in several books, TV programs and websites.
Based in Rotterdam, Matthijs Kuijpers continues to explore the world with a curious and passionate eye, helping to raise awareness of these extraordinary animals through his powerful and poetic images.
