The will to take a beautiful photograph has to be stronger than the fear of taking it."

Michael van Oostende (Amsterdam, 1961) took his first photo when he was 26 years old after buying photographic development equipment from a colleague.

Van Oostende was born in the Rustenburger Street in the 'Pijp' neighborhood, but grew up in 'Slotermeer'. He attended the IVKO (Individual Secondary Artistic Education) school, and worked for 10 years as a taxi driver. He fell in love with Amsterdam, that beautiful city with its colorful people.