Mark Brands - Owner and Founder of Travelmarks Photography!
Nice to meet you!
I'd like to introduce myself; it's nice to get a sense of the person behind Travelmarks-Photography. My name is Mark, welcome!
Travelmarks photography is where my passion for photography and travel come together, which I am happy to share with you! Growing up in Tegelen, Limburg, I developed an early love for nature and culture and capturing special moments. Hiking and camping in the most beautiful places as my biggest hobby, always searching for peace, adventure and new discoveries.
Mark Brands – World Traveller & Visual Storyteller
His work reflects a deep admiration for the beauty of our planet and the people who live there. Inspired by his philosophy “The world is art, the photographer the artist… let your imagination guide you to capture it your way.” Mark approaches every destination with an open mind and creative freedom. His images are more than photographs – they are stories, fuelled by curiosity, respect, and imagination.
World traveler in heart and soul
Travelling the world holds a special place in my life. I remember sitting at my grandmother's table as a young boy, telling her I would travel the whole world. It was in me even then, but it was ‘temporarily’ put on hold. A ‘life-changing event’ in 2014 brought about a change. It gave me new insights, for which I am truly grateful. Now I can say that I am doing what makes me happiest. Combining two passions: photography and travel! The most beautiful thing is to share that with fellow enthusiasts during trips and workshops. I like to contribute to a better world for all of us; respecting local life comes first for me, and that opens many wonderful doors!
Mark Brands
Our promise
- Professional and enthusiastic guidance
- Ample time for photography at all locations
- Small-scale group and sustainable travel
- Your non photographing partner is more than welcome
- Comfortable accommodations
- Flexible and trusted booking
Joost Smeets – Photography Guide at Travelmarks Photography
Joost: “Photography is capturing the beauty of life.”
Joost Smeets is a 41-year-old passionate semi-professional landscape photographer from the Netherlands, currently based in Nazaré, Portugal. After a long creative break, he rekindled his love for photography in 2021 — and hasn’t looked back since.
For Joost, photography is more than just taking a picture. It’s about the entire journey: preparing the gear, traveling, finding the perfect moment and location, immersing himself in nature, and finally seeing the result displayed on someone’s wall. Every photograph tells its own story. Beyond the artistic aspect, photography also serves a therapeutic purpose. Nature brings peace, calms the mind, and relieves stress — a quiet power that’s reflected in his work.
Diana Venis Kerkhoven – Photography Guide at Travelmarks Photography
Diana – Photography guide with an eye for peace and detail
Diana is a guide at Travelmarks Photography, where she shares her love of landscapes and night photography with passionate travelers. With her calm approach and years of travel experience, she puts photographers at ease and inspires them to deepen their creativity.
Whether capturing the soft light in beautiful nature or capturing magical evening scenes – Diana patiently guides participants and attaches great importance to a pleasant group dynamic.
Franca Gielen – Photography Guide at Travelmarks Photography
Francesca – be the most creative version of yourself
My name is Franca, a passionate traveller and photographer from the netherlands. When I took my first trip to Africa I fell in love with travelling. Diving into other cultures, getting to know the locals, going on adventures, you get the idea!
I studied Tourism Management and graduated met a specialisation in travel photography. Photography encourages you to view places from different perspectives. My goal: capturing the world as I see it from my point of view. There are so many possibilities that allow you to be the most creative version of yourself
