Romeo: Capturing a comeback through motion
art portrait studioWhen a band like Romeo reunites after years apart, it’s more than just about the music—it’s about capturing the energy and bond that brought them back together. Photographing their comeback was my chance to tell their story through motion and light, showing who they are now and how far they’ve come.
That’s exactly what I set out to do when I worked with Romeo, a boyband that ruled the Dutch charts in the late ‘90s with their hits in 1998 and 1999. Now, they’re back together and touring with Re-Play, another iconic boyband from that time. Today, Romeo is made up of Milton, Julian, and Spencer, and they’ve come together with the same energy but a new direction.
Milto, Spencer, Julian
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I’ve been connected with Julian through Instagram for over a year. He’s followed my work and especially liked my black-and-white photography and the way I use in-camera techniques to create motion and layering without relying on post-production. When he visited my studio during Rotterdam’s Open Atelier Weekend (GRAW), he pitched the idea for this session with Romeo. It was an easy decision—this project was already lined up to play perfectly into my style.
The foundation of the shoot
What made this session with Romeo special was the level of trust they placed in me. Julian showed me some of my past work as a reference, but ultimately, they gave me full creative freedom to explore and push the boundaries. That kind of trust makes all the difference in a session, allowing me to focus on capturing not just their image, but their personalities and energy.
For me, photography is all about interaction. I work very close to my talents, using vibrant motion and dynamic engagement. It’s an active process—I don’t just stand back and snap pictures. I get involved, talking, moving, and encouraging the talents to express themselves. In this session, I directed Romeo in positioning but encouraged them to move freely. I wanted their individual personalities to shine through in the shots. It was about letting them feel comfortable and natural, while I focused on capturing that movement.
The Studio Setup: Shaping Light and Mood
The shoot took place in my boutique studio, where I have full control over the environment. The setup was simple: a clean white backdrop and two softbox reflectors with grids to focus the light directly on the talent. But the lighting wasn’t fixed. I repositioned the lights throughout the session, adjusting shadows, contrast, and mood. This approach allowed me to sculpt the light to match the energy of each shot.
Photography is about capturing energy. With Romeo, we created something alive in every frame.
Lighting is a huge part of my process. I don’t just light the talent; I use light to shape the mood of the scene. Shadows and contrast are as important as the light itself, and this flexibility helped me emphasise the personalities and dynamic of the group.
 Left: in motion with Spencer and Julian, Right: Milton |
In-Camera Layering
One of the techniques I love using in my photography is in-camera layering. I prefer this approach because it allows me to capture the authenticity of the moment, preserving the raw energy as it unfolds in front of the lens. By playing with aperture and shutter speed, I create layered effects without relying on digital edits. It’s all about keeping things real—with the illusions of my imagination.
For this session, I worked with my vintage prime lenses—40 to 50 years old—which have a slower, softer response. They give the images a natural, organic feel, which pairs perfectly with the motion I wanted to convey. I often asked the talents to keep their faces steady while moving their bodies, allowing me to layer movement into the shots. By slightly moving the camera or adjusting the shutter speed, I was able to create those dream-like, swirling effects that make the images feel alive.
 Left: Portrait of Milton, Right: Julian |
Timeless and Dynamic
The final shots were kept in black and white to emphasise the contrast and movement. Black and white strips away distractions and lets the focus fall purely on the personalities of Milton, Julian, and Spencer. The simplicity of the palette allowed me to highlight the layers of motion and contrast, bringing out the energy of their reunion without any unnecessary visual clutter.
It was an honour to be trusted with capturing this important moment in their journey. I hope these images reflect not just their reunion, but the energy and personality that makes them who they are today. I’m grateful for the chance to tell their story through my lens, and it’s moments like these that remind me why I love what I do.
Behind the Scenes
Here’s a little peek behind the scenes from the Romeo session. From setting up the lights to capturing the right angles, these shots show the process that shaped the final images. Thanks to Made By Mr Barry for capturing these shots during our session.
 Backstage overview |
Band or musician? Let’s capture your story.
Book a personalised session in my studio, where we’ll create images that bring your music, energy, and identity to life. Let’s work together to craft visuals as unique as your sound.