We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ludovicus “Luis” Bisschops. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ludovicus “Luis” below.

Alright, Ludovicus “Luis” thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on is my Indonesia book “The lost paradise” (Das verlorene Paradies, published in German). Many years ago, I fell in love with Indonesia, its culture, its people and its food. For this specific project I travelled to pretty much every part of Indonesia divided over a total of over 20 trips. I was able to live with the people and experience their culture firsthand. From Irian Jaya (today Papua) living with the headhunters to climbing Kelimutu volcano in the early morning hours to being invited to funerals and weddings in Bali. Close second meaningful projects include working with Star Chefs such as Paul Bocuse, Paul Prudhomme and Cas Spijkers. I’m eternally grateful for having had this opportunity

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a Dutch photographer from Middelburg, Zeeland. Survived the North Sea Flood of 1953 and subsequently moved closer to Leiden to attend the “Vrije Academie for Beeldende Kunsten” in the Hague, Netherlands. I started my own photography business initially in Frankfurt in 1970 and subsequently relocated it to a small village in North Rhine Westphalia in 1972, where I converted a historic farmhouse in the village into an artistic hot spot. Shortly after opening the business that employed chefs, photographers, food stylists, digital editors and support staff, I specialized in food and beverage and became one of the most well-known food photographers in western Europe. I have designed and produced over 800 cookbooks, worked with countless Michelin Star chefs including Paul Bocuse, Cas Spijkers and American celebrity chef Paul Prudhomme. I presented one of my books at the prestigious Frankfurter Book Fair to the Dutch and Belgium King and was the sole photographer for Europe’s biggest food home delivery service (bofrost) for over 40 years. I was also the sole food photographer selected for “Les patrons Cuisiniers” (culinary association of the 25 Dutch top chefs). Received the “silver Bear Award” by the Canadian government which is a prestigious recognition of my work about Canada, presented to me by the consul general of Canada in Germany. In 2019 I received “The Golden Master Award” for having presented the photography profession at the highest level for 50 years. Outside the food and beverage photography I have a passion for exploration and traveling and would consider myself an expert in Europe, North and South America, South Africa and Asia. I’m specifically passionate about Indonesia where I have traveled to over 20 times and documented my travel experience to the Indonesian archipelago, including the time I lived among the Papuans in the Highland of New Guinea, in a coffee table book called “Das verlorene Paradies” (the lost paradise). Since 2020 I retired from my business and live in my own paradise, Johns Island, SC. I continued to enjoy photography, visiting friends at local farms and meeting new people from all over the world while walking my dog Siri

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It never gets old, and it never gets boring! You get to create daily. As artists we are constantly busy thinking of new things and creating. I can honestly say that I love my job and love what I do. While previously having owned my own business in Germany, I have recently been fortunate to show part of my work, that focuses on beverage food art, at the Grand Bohemian Gallery in Charleston.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I have many years of experience in photography and most of my career was spend in analog (film) photography. Early on I saw the changes coming and realized what impact it would have on my field. I embraced technology, became familiar with the digital photography world and photo editing. I’m still new on social media, but learning daily and will continue to try to expand

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @luisbisschops
• Other: email:

  Email:
  Email:

  Email: [email protected]

  Gallery that is showing my work:

  @grandbohemiangallery.gbc

Image Credits

n/a
All my own, thanks