Experience & Context

MRM: How did you first get involved in the expedition aboard Maverick?

TvO: Ever since Maverick was launched I had an interest in the yacht. I am a huge Top Gun fan! So I for sure loved the looks, the name, the logo. When I saw them on the way to Northern Europe, I got excited and try to get in touch with Captain Guy. Took some pics of their arrival into Amsterdam and we remained in contact for the Summer. After a few months of contact with Guy and the owners they asked me to join them to Greenland. Dreams come true.

MRM: What were your expectations before heading to such extreme northern latitudes, and how did reality compare?

TvO: I have been photographing yachts in various locations around the globe for 10 years now, but Greenland was for sure on the top of my list. Knowing it would be cold and remote, it was time to really prepare some warm clothes and various types of gloves. So I could still operate my cameras.

MRM: Had you ever experienced anything like this before, or was this journey to the extreme north aboard Maverick a first for you as well?

TvO: I did shoot many projects in Norway and Iceland, but Greenland is a whole different story! For all our time up there, we were the only boat. Not just the only yacht, but really the only boat. That was awesome!

Life on Board

MRM: What was day-to-day life like on Maverick during the three weeks you spend on board?

TvO: So, first we had to wait for good weather in Reykjavik before we headed off to Greenland. What I love about Maverick is the family feel. During long crossings the sea can be a little bumpy so mostly everyone is relaxing or doing his/her work. Watching movies. But we all met in the main salon at some point of the day for shared meals or in anticipation for arrival to Greenland. But when we arrived there, it was quite amazing. I couldn't stop taking photos. Everything there is in a different league. So, I was mostly outside looking for new ways to capture the majestic surroundings.

MRM: How did living in such remote areas and in close proximity to the ice, and wilderness shape your perspective as a photographer? Was there a particular routine or moment of the day that became special to you?

TvO: The sunrises out there are absolutely breathtaking, but what I treasure most are the moments we shared. Heading out together to explore, bundling up in our Arctic gear, and venturing into places few people have ever seen: those experiences meant more than any view. It was the sense of adventure, the quiet companionship, and the feeling of standing together at the edge of the world that made it unforgettable.

MRM: You've already touched on how good it felt to be with the Schroders, but could you share a bit more? What was it really like living with the Schroders and the crew for three weeks? Did spending that much time together, sharing challenges, routines, and those once-in-a-lifetime moments, brought you closer? And if so, how did that connection grow over the course of the experience?

TvO: I've always felt that spending an extended amount of time with strangers can go one of two ways: either you grow to genuinely like each other, or the opposite happens—the longer you're together, the more the differences become hard to bear. There's rarely anything in between. Shared space has a way of revealing people's true nature, and those days together can either build a surprising sense of closeness or quietly push you apart. I am very happy to say that I consider the whole family, and crew, among my good friends now. I truly admire the way they live and run the boat. Everything is possible! Canoe ride? Yes. Jetski? Yes. Request to put the boat in a certain place for a shot? for sure! All is possible. And I am glad that after all these weeks we are still in touch a lot and looking forward to being back on board together.

Photography & Creative Process

MRM: How did the constantly changing light—long Arctic days, soft low-angle sunlight—affect the way you composed your shots? Did you bring any specific gear for this expedition, and how did it hold up in the cold and humidity?

TvO: We have been lucky with the weather. It was cold, but not amazingly cold. And the light was extraordinary at all hours of the day. It helped me a lot.

As for equipment, I wouldn't say anything very special but for sure a lot more batteries!

MRM: Can you describe a moment when you had to improvise creatively to capture a scene?

TvO: I remember someone at some point shouting: whales! I just landed the drone back on board. I believe I never relaunched a drone as fast as that moment, within 2 minutes I was above 2 beautiful humpback whales and took the shot I wanted for a long time!

Navigating among icebergs

MRM: What was it like to photograph icebergs up close?

TvO: A unique experience! The icebergs are fascinating really, they're like time capsules. You are looking at ice which has been trapped into a glacier for maybe millions of years and none is the same. I would like to specialize as an iceberg photographer although maybe the market is small…

MRM: Was there an image that felt almost impossible to capture?

TvO: I'd imagined a thousand photos I knew were impossible to capture. We had a route to follow and couldn't stop for long. But one day we spotted a magnificent iceberg. Their shape, colour, size were incredible. Tom (Schröder) pulled me onto the back of his jetski, and together we maneuvered the boat—up, down, left, right—until we found the perfect angle. It felt impossible, but I got the shot!

Emotions & Reflections

MRM: Which moment during the expedition moved you the most emotionally—and why?

TvO: When you dream about a certain location for so long, there are many of those moments.

The whales, ice, massive glaciers and Northern Lights. All of that is nature at its best.

MRM: Was there a moment of solitude or silence in the ice that changed something in you?

TvO: It just makes me wish to be back there again and again! Could never spend enough time there.

MRM: Did spending so much time in such a raw, untouched environment alter the way you see your work?

TvO: Look, Maverick is beautiful and she looks stunning in every way or location. So, when you are there in a location that isn't much seen in yachting content, you really have to find a way to make the environment work with the boat. And maybe be less focused on the actual yacht itself.

So yes, I would say, be more aware of your surroundings and use it in your favor.