Has your technique evolved?
"Definitely. When I started out I was afraid and embarrassed to take pictures of people, I found it so hard going up to a stranger with a camera. Over the years, I've worked on my communication skills, be it a group situation or with the main subject one-on-one. Group work is easier for me, but I still struggle when the story is just about one 'hero'. Recently I've pushed myself to work with such stories; sometimes I still have some failures, but we are all human."
What's your process? How do you decide what part of a scene to capture?
"I don't like random pictures. It sometimes happens that luck gives you a good photo, but you must understand that this is only luck and not your work. I try to plan everything as much as possible. When I look back through my images, I initially look for storylines that seem important, with images that highlight the points that will bring the story together."
What might professional photographers sometimes overlook?
"We can overlook the things that we are not ready for. We should analyse the situation as fully as possible, understand all the ways it can develop, and keep in mind the story that we are searching for. If we do not search for anything, we will not find anything. Sometimes our luck helps us but it is not always enough. Experience and planning are always important."
What's been the most valuable lesson you've learnt during your career so far?
"The realisation that in a world full of diversity, it's important to have your own opinion. And to make a story and pictures in the way you want, and not in the way the industry demands or that someone else likes. You do not need to be influenced; it's too easy to lose your personality."