ROGIER MAASKANT

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Insects play a vital role in our ecosystem, yet their significance often goes unnoticed. How often do they escape our attention, especially the nocturnal ones? In today’s world, where visibility is often equated with value, it is easy to overlook these inconspicuous creatures. Yet, for many species, this very quality is essential to their survival. As well as for our survival.

These images offer a rare glimpse into a hidden world—one that coexists with ours yet remains largely unseen. They reveal a delicate balance of beauty and unpredictability, showcasing nature’s quiet grandeur just above our heads. It is a world that is both modest and spectacular, familiar yet magical, ordinary yet extraordinary.

All the photographs in the book Sense of presence were taken in and around Rotterdam, the city where I live. Hopefully they will reach a wider audience, offering a fresh perspective on our surroundings, inspiring a deeper connection with nature, and, above all, reminding us of the joy and wonder it has to offer.

In the slideshow below there’s also a small taste of the work I previously did, among it portraits and projects.
You can have a look here or click on the pictures. It’s best viewed on a desk- or laptop.
At the moment I am rearranging this website a bit, so please drop by later.

“HI Rogier, I got the book, it's very nice, congratulations. BIG thanks.” - Martin Parr

“This is one of those books that as soon as I picked it up, I was only having to look at three or four spreads and I knew I needed to have it instantly.” - Todd Hido

"Rogier Maaskant’s images of insects in flight in his book “Sense of Presence” offer a unique perspective on insect flight not easily seen by the human eye. Only with his unique photographic techniques of lighting and exposure as well as his artistic eye can we see the beauty and complexity exhibited by these small, delicate insects. Also hiding them from our experience with nature is their nocturnal flight behavior. Through Rogier’s unique perspective we can experience this amazing activity occurring right before our eyes and in our own backyards, that would be unknown to us otherwise." - Ralph Holzenthal, Professor Emeritus, department of entomology, University of Minnesota, US

enquiries:
Rogier Maaskant

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©
Rogier Maaskant
2026