Hello, my name is Maikel Lonis.
As with all great stories, mine begins at the very start. From a young age, I was drawn to nature. My grandparents lived in the heart of the largest forested area in the Netherlands, and I spent much of my childhood surrounded by trees, wildlife, and the calm rhythm of the natural world. That environment sparked a deep curiosity in me—one that grew stronger with every walk through the woods.
As I explored more, I felt an increasing urge to document what I found. I wanted to share those hidden wonders with others. That led me to buy my first camera: the Canon A80, a simple point-and-shoot. I brought it with me on every nature walk, always searching for the tiniest creatures and unique moments. With each click, my love for photography deepened—and so did my love for nature. The combination of the two became a passion.
In 2005, I took things a step further and bought my first "serious" camera: the Samsung Digimax Pro 815. Suddenly, a new world opened up. I could zoom further, capture more detail, and tell better stories through my images. I started taking photography courses and dove into the basics. That’s when I realized something important: photography isn’t just about pointing the camera in the right direction or using the perfect settings. It’s about truly seeing—noticing moments others might miss, and capturing them in a way that tells a story.
Driven by this mindset, I sought out a more creative setup and eventually landed on the Olympus E-410 with a few Four Thirds kit lenses. I was over the moon. That setup allowed me to grow and experiment. Alongside photography, I began collecting second-hand books about nature and photography—so many, in fact, that I now own around 400. Maybe I went a little overboard, but that library has become a rich well of knowledge and inspiration.
As time passed, I became fascinated by bushcraft and started taking my outdoor skills into the field. I traveled to South America, with Colombia being my first destination. What an unforgettable experience—such breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality, and vibrant wildlife. In the years that followed, I explored Cuba and several European countries, always bringing my camera along.
All the while, the idea of doing something more serious with photography lingered in my mind. But life had other plans, and I found myself working in logistics. Still, I never stopped capturing the wild. I went on amazing trips to places like the North Cape and Iceland, and I continued to grow as a wildlife photographer.
Eventually, I had the opportunity to test a wide range of camera systems—Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Sony, and Olympus (OM System). Each brand offered something unique, but I eventually settled on OM System, which perfectly matches my shooting style. Around this time, I also began taking on small assignments and photography projects, balancing my logistics job with my growing semi-professional photography work.
Now, the time has come to take the leap.
This is something I’ve been building toward for years. I want to share my passion, my perspective, and the beauty I see in this world with all of you. Through my YouTube channel, I’ll take you along on my nature journeys and upcoming adventures. I’ll also be reviewing photography gear—especially with a focus on wildlife photography.
So, if you're interested in the beauty of the natural world, the art of capturing it, or just curious about the gear behind the images, follow me on this exciting new chapter. Subscribe to my YouTube channel, follow me on Instagram, and stay tuned to this website for blogs, reviews, and stories from the field.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my photographic journey.