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local Wednesday 10 august 2022

Meet Ayrton Tromp:

From restless child to disciplined photographer

From a restless child who was portunity to document the visit of
bored with everything, to one of King Willem Alexander and Queen
the most sought-after professional Maxima, and even found himself
photographers in Aruba. We’re presenting a gift to the royal cou-
talking about Ayrton Tromp (25), ple. “I was doing what I really liked.
who thanks to his parents’ ‘no’, And remember, I didn’t even have
learned to appreciate all that he a driver’s license, so I had to walk
can achieve on his own: From na- to get to the photoshoots.”
ture photographer to photogra-
pher for His Majesty King Willem When Ayrton turned 18, he knew
Alexander of the Netherlands and he had to start his own company.
his wife Queen Maxima. All this in And the Chamber of Commerce
only ten years. didn’t believe in him, and wanted
to put the company in his mother’s
Ayrton was always artistic, but name. But the young man was de-
easily distracted. When he was 11 termined, because without a com-
years old already he realized he pany registry from the Chamber of
could work easier with images. Commerce he wasn’t allowed to
And when he was 14, he expressed take on jobs. But the institution indi-
to his parents that he wanted to cated that he needed to have Afl.
try photography. But because 10,000 cash in his account to be
Ayrton was never consistent with able to open his company. “Now
what he started, his parents didn’t I know that wasn’t necessary. But
want to give him what he wanted, I had to wait a few months until I
and surely not invest in a camera, could gather Afl. 10,000 and so
which isn’t cheap. Consequently, start my own company.”
the 14 year old decided to go to
the supermarket close to his house And in the next six years, Ayrton ex-
and get a job during his vacation, panded his portfolio with pictures
and for weeks he filled bags of want to be apart. I never want to dle of exams, and my mom was of weddings and other events. He
groceries. That way he saved and imitate another. I can say that I helping me reply to the person to received a lot of guidance from
got 1,500 florin, and Ayrton went to could come up with a way to pres- tell them that at that moment I had other professional photographers,
Boolchand’s, and so the photogra- ent an image in a different way.” to focus on school.” But the oppor- who he admires, including Luis Me-
pher was born. Even though it was a risk, it worked tunities didn’t stop, and once he jia, Crooze Photographers, and
for Ayrton, because his style was in higher education (EPI), as a Kenneth Theysen. But always with
“I was very ashamed to talk about opened doors to him. “I managed 17 year old, Ayrton started to com- his own style, creating a bond with
what I did. In the beginning, I for people to recognize my pic- bine work with school. Each free his customers. “I want to know my
was influenced by friends and tures without me having to put my hour he spent working on photog- clients, I want to keep my job fun.”
watched how my friends got the name. For me, it’s weird because raphy, for magazines and even for Because to achieve quality and
latest phone, the latest computer. I just do something I like. Logically Aruba Tourism Authority. reputation is easy, that’s his talent
But my parents didn’t want to buy I’m happy, but I don’t know how I and desire; but the job requires
the camera, because I was the kid managed. I think it’s because I re- Ayrton was even invited to take contact, meeting the client’s de-
who didn’t stick to anything. After ally like photography and I give it pictures during the Royal Visit. “I mands, and deliver a good prod-
a few months of doing something, I hundred percent of myself in it.” skipped school to be able to do the uct. “Work ethic is extremely impor-
would get fed up.” And know, Ayr- job. The other students were ask- tant. Everything has to go smooth-
ton understands, because he got It didn’t take long for the young ing me if I knew what I was doing, ly.”
tired with everything he did before. nature photographer to get com- because EPI requires presence at
mercial opportunities. He was in school, which counts towards your And so the young man who was
Ayrton started taking pictures of secondary school when he re- grades. On top of it, my own moth- bored with everything found his
plants, flowers, animals, and all ceived his first offer for a commer- er was a teacher at EPI.” Even so, rhythm. A profession that carries
that surrounded him at home. And cial job. “I was sixteen, in the mid- Ayrton took the risk and got the op- risk became his anchor, which
using Facebook, he shared his pic- helped him brave even the pan-
tures, which caught attention right demic, when there was no job and
away. “Recently someone asked no security. And his mom? She’s his
me when I’m going to go back bigger supporter and is happy that
to nature photography”, he com- her son worked for his own things
mented. [red. On the day of the himself. Because of this, Ayrton ap-
interview, Ayrton published some preciates the value of his job. “Ev-
nature images, with the comment erything I have today, I worked for
that he decided to go back to his myself. My parents had to make
roots, for a moment.] me work for my things. My mom is
super proud.”
Currently, most of his energy goes
into his work. Photography is his His vision for the future is to get
hobby, but it’s also his responsi- the opportunity to explore each
bility. And what always remains, corner of the world and continue
from the beginning, is his own style. encountering more culture, other
“Those who know me know that I countries. “Practically I want to
never want to be like someone travel and take pictures.”q
else. I want something different. I