Perfect Imperfection
The Beauty of Transience
Rianne creates introspective portraits of nature. Images where looking slowly becomes feeling.
She captures leaves, flowers, and undergrowth at the tipping point between bloom and decay: transient, raw, yet gentle. Not botanical documentation, but a personal translation of what moves her.
In every image, she searches for the small details often overlooked, for imperfections that reveal true beauty. Wear, cracks, aging — nothing is polished away. She studies her objects down to the finest detail, with care and attention. By getting extremely close, a subtle tension arises between intimacy and estrangement. What we think we know takes on a new form.
A Personal Drive
For Rianne, photography is more than a craft; it is her way of being. Naturally shy and observant, she found through the camera a language that expresses emotions where words fall short. To truly capture something, you must dare to get close. That requires openness — also from the creator. It is precisely this vulnerability she wants to share through her images.
Over the past years, her work has evolved from portrait photography to autonomous art, remaining faithful to her own pace and vision. Nature is her main source of inspiration. She calls her found objects “jewels,” transient discoveries carrying a quiet strength.
Perfect Imperfection
A recurring theme in her work is perfect imperfection: the balance between control and surrender. She seeks harmony in the image but leaves room for the unexpected. True beauty lies in the layers, textures, emotions — in what is not immediately visible but can be felt.
Sustainability with Care
Respect for nature also means working sustainably. Rianne consciously chooses artisanal processes, natural materials, and minimal waste. Her images are printed on Japanese (handmade) paper, carefully selected for its unique balance of quality, texture, and durability.
Prints are available unframed, but when a work is entrusted to her for framing, she collaborates with a skilled framer who shares her sense of precision and care. This way, each piece is finished exactly as she envisions it, with attention to every detail and respect for the artwork as a whole.
When delivering her work personally, she uses reusable bags she already owns, sometimes bearing a bed store logo. No showmanship, no waste. Just doing what’s necessary without creating unnecessary trash. Beyond her art, she remains mindful of what truly matters: attention to quality and respect for the world we live in.
What Experts Say
“Light and darkness balance each other. The images seem to capture primal impressions of
nature that feel both real and subjective. Every object comes to life. Rianne doesn’t capture the
appearance, but the essence or spirit of the subject— not reality, but the atmosphere and beauty.
Her work is emotional, sensual, expressive, and highly intuitive. People tend to feel her work;
they want to touch it.”
customer responses
We got to know Rianne through our Rotary clubs. When we talked about photography, we immediately sensed Rianne’s enthusiasm and could already sense her professionalism. We then arranged to meet for a shoot in Amsterdam in a very cool location, the Amsterdam Conservatorium. And what can we say – the result was incredibly sensitive and extremely expressive portraits of Şule and me.
Riannes absolute professionalism and her empathy for our situation resulted in incredible photos.
For us, the greatest work from this shooting now hangs in a special place at home.
In the meantime, a Rianne Noordegraaf collection of her later Wonderlijk series has emerged because we have become absolute fans of her photographic art. A true artist – we look forward to everything she has to come.
Şule & Dirk Linnepe – fans from the very beginning
Şule & Dirk Linnepe
I met Rianne during a photo shoot at my own studio/ home/ atelier, in the time she was assisting Govert de Roos. I didn’t notice she was also taking pictures during the shoot . And it was twice the surprise when I saw the result of the amazing reportage she made. When I saw the beauty on those pictures, I asked her to take a glamour shoot for me, at Judith Wolberink’s gallery. Completely out of her comfort zone, she demonstrated once more what an amazing photographer she is!! And the many reactions about those photos she took of me prove, again and again, that it isn’t me, it is Rianne!”
JUDITH OSBORN
artist
LARS NIJMAN
DRUMMER
I first met Rianne during and event called Open Coffee in Hoorn (The Netherlands). At the initiative of Sylvia Bakker from Prodico, we came up of the idea of making a book about entrepreneurship in Hoorn (“Ondernemers van dichtbij; als je iets aandurft, gebeurt er iets“). (Entrepreneurs up close; if you dare to do it, it will happen).
While Sylvia and me were selecting and interviewing entrepreneurs and local politicians one by one, Rianne took care of capturing the moment on photos. Funny thing is that we didn’t notice anything.
She did her work in the background, sometimes for hours and hours. Only occasionally she came closer and then I thought: oh yes, that’s right, Rianne is also here. But then when I saw those photos… fantastic, suggestive, almost shocking beautiful photos. That gesture with the hand perfectly captured, a half-grin, or that probing look. All of it in black and white. And at the same time, full of colors. What a top quality work.
When my parents turned 85 years old, I thought of having a photo of them made to capture how they were by then. Specially because my father was suffering of dementia and maybe he would not be there for long. To me it was straightforward who would be the right person for this job. Rianne went to my parents’ place. She set to work with a lot of patience, love and dedication. The result was a lovely gorgeous photo. My mother was shining (despite the difficult times she was experiencing because of my father’s condition), and my father exuberantly smiling –something I had not seen him doing for a very, very long time. I really didn’t expect that would come out from him again. Sometimes I still think how on earth did she manage to do that.
Rianne also made a portrait for myself. She captured me on my best. The photo was meant for the book, by I use it practically everywhere, from CV to LinkedIn profile. Often I get very nice comments and reactions. What a nice photo! Who made it? And then I say proudly. That photo, nice isn’t it? It was taken by Rianne Noordegraaf, from Hoorn. If you ever what to have a portrait, you have to ask her. She is great. And not just as photographer, but also as human being.
MARCEL VAN STIGT
WRITER
I got to know Rianne via networking. I chose her out of the 4 photographers I considered to make the photo reportages for my new book. What I experienced collaborating with Rianne is that she does her work calmly, attentively and always a very professional attitude. She is very reliable. Always thinking ahead, Rianne tries to empathize and understand the images I wish to display as client. She has an artistic mind that goes really well with me.
Of course after this successful collaboration, my own portrait could not wait any longer. And when I look at that portrait I get a very strong “this is really me” feeling.
Thank you Rianne, I will gladly recommend you.
Anneke Dercksen - Bobeldijk
IMAGE CONSULTANT & THEORY OF COLORS TEACHER
In December last year, I asked Rianne to make a portrait of me. I discovered her work thanks to the profile photo of somebody within my network. That profile photo was powerful and full of emotion… wow!
During the shooting I was at home, recovering from a burn-out. I felt really insecure about everything and specially about myself. Rianne, a total stranger, knew how to make me feel comfortable and relaxed very quickly. And in this way, I dared to show more about myself.
The photos Rianne made, represent for me the power of vulnerability. Rianne is able to capture people the way they really are, beautiful and full of emotion. I experienced that day with Rianne and the result of it, as a true gift.
Because let’s face it… what could be more beautiful than the strength that lies within vulnerability?