When professional sailor Onne van der Wal and his teammates circumnavigated the world aboard the Dutch boat FLYER during the 1981-82 “Whitbread Around the World Race”, he never expected it to be the launch of an epic 30+ year career as a professional marine photographer.
His sparse racing gear allowance didn’t leave much room for his novice camera kit that the camera company had given to him to document his teams amazing voyage so he had to talk his way into getting it on board.
Listen to him tell about how after winning the race, his unique and impressive photos from his extraordinary race were sought after. Sailing and adventure magazines flocked to van der Wal to gain access to his images and the rest is history; He hung up his sea boots and took to a life and career photographing the yachting world rather than competing in it.
Onne, a native Dutchman raised in Cape Town, South Africa, is an award winning nautical photographer and icon in the photography world. He is a Canon Explorer of Light; a prestigious invitation-only group of 35 pro shooters from around the globe.
He has produced and shot commercial ads and stories for some of the biggest players in the sailing, power boat and shipping industry worldwide. If you’ve seen a photo of a boat, chances are you’ve seen Onne’s work. Seriously.
We’ve known each other as long time colleagues here in Newport, Rhode Island, where he and his wife also run a successful gallery of his fine art work. Listen as we sit down to talk about his extraordinary life of sailing, seeing, shooting and epic adventures on the high seas.
Here are some things you’ll discover in this episode:
- Deep wisdom and practical tools to reinvent yourself within your career and stay relevant over time.
- How his culture, experiences and lust for ocean adventure shaped him.
- Advice for photographers of all levels on how to see in new ways, generate multiple income streams and better understand the business of shooting.
- How to keep your creativity fresh when it’s your day job.
- and so more…like why everyone needs a wife… shout out to Tenley van der Wal ;)
Enjoy!
Connect with Onne van der Wal here:
Website:: vanderwal.com
Facebook::https://www.facebook.com/ONNEvanderwal
Linked In:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onne-van-der-wal-191741a/
Instagram:: https://www.instagram.com/onnevanderwal/
Quick note, I just want to say thank you for listening to this episode. I know it means a lot to myself and my guests.
If you enjoyed this episode, you will also like:
Episode #10: Catherine Just: Using Art as Medicine to heal your life
Episode #23: Steven Morris: Creating A Beautiful Business
Episode #29: Creativity Embodied, with Cynthia Morris
Here, you’ll discover even more deep wisdom and practical tools to be more present to your life and create what’s next.
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