PROFILE

Evely Duis

A model wearing a black sequinned jumpsuit and high-heeled orange sandals poses on a ledge inset into a long, curving stone wall.

Making the most of the surroundings is key for Canon Ambassador and fashion photographer Evely Duis, and this long, curving wall provides a striking backdrop for an editorial shot in Belgium in 2020. "On location, it's more about working with what's already there in terms of lighting and backdrops," she says. Taken on a Canon EOS 5DS with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM lens (now succeeded by the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM) at 35mm, 1/200 sec, f/5.6 and ISO100. @ Evely Duis

Acclaimed for her distinctive technique and creative flair, Dutch-born fashion photographer and Canon Ambassador Evely Duis is renowned for capturing alluring shots that exude glamour and style.

Growing up in a small village in the Netherlands, her passion for photography was sparked at a young age. "I started attending weekly art classes when I was about six years old," Evely explains. "I began to develop my creativity. I even made a camera from a shoebox in my lessons! Photography just caught my eye and I felt as though this was the thing I wanted to do."

Evely got her first camera, a Canon EOS 450D (now succeeded by the Canon EOS 850D), when she was 14 and began photographing her friends. "I used to practise and make fun photos," she says. "I started to take profile pictures of my friends for a Dutch social media site and gradually arranged more model shots. It all built from there."

After completing a photography course at the Dutch art school SintLucas – Boxtel in 2014, Evely studied for a bachelor's degree in photography at the LUCA School of Arts in Brussels, Belgium. During her second year, she also started to set up her own business. "I wondered whether to leave school but decided to combine the two," she explains. "It was full on, but I'm proud I did that. I learnt so much at school, including how to show more emotion in my photography – to not just create a pretty picture, but also to tell something more with my work." She set up her own studio after graduating in 2017.

A headshot of Canon Ambassador Evely Duis.
Location: The Netherlands

Specialist areas: Fashion, beauty, portraiture

Favourite kit:

Canon EOS 5DS

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
A close-up of a model with long, wavy hair fixed with different styles of hair clips.

Evely flexes her creativity when styling her images – she wanted to blend retro and modern for this studio-based beauty shoot. Taken on a Canon EOS 5DS with a Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens at 1/125 sec, f/9 and ISO100. © Evely Duis

A side profile of a freckled model wearing shimmery bronze eyeshadow that extends from her eyelid across the side of her face.

When sourcing models, Evely is drawn towards people with a distinctive look. "Everyone is unique," she says. Taken on a Canon EOS 5DS with a Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens at 1/125 sec, f/8 and ISO100. © Evely Duis

Today, Evely has garnered a reputation for her vibrant fashion and portrait photography and has worked for a number of high-profile companies and brands around the world. Taking inspiration from photographers such as Lara Jade and Annie Leibovitz, her creativity knows no bounds.

"I get inspiration everywhere," she says. "Sometimes it's from a magazine or a movie, sometimes it's from a fashion item. It could be my personal vision that I want to create. I combine everything and create something fresh from my ideas. Then I get to work on my mood board and my research, and it grows from there."

A black a white image of a model wearing a short belted coat and thigh-high boots. She is walking across a busy street while looking back at the camera.

A city-themed fashion editorial shot on location in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, in 2019. Taken on a Canon EOS 5DS with a Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens at 1/400 sec, f/2 and ISO100. © Evely Duis

A long-haired model in side profile wearing a shiny dark-green jacket and with her face turned slightly towards the camera.

Evely uses both natural light and flash to create atmosphere in her fashion photography. Taken on a Canon EOS 5DS with a Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens at 1/40 sec, f/1.8 and ISO200. © Evely Duis

Evely's love of fashion has also seen her take up sewing. "It was a skill I wanted to develop," she says. "I don't usually do the styling on shoots, but I love that you can make something beautiful and inspire people. That's what I love about my work – that I can make people happy."

Having already achieved so much since launching her professional photography career, the future looks bright for Evely. "I'd like to see more of my photos published in magazines – that's definitely a goal," she states. "But when people say, 'what do you want to achieve?', for me there is no end goal. There is always more to achieve and more to learn, and that's what I love about what I do."

How would you describe your photographic style?

"Everything I do with my photography is created. I plan, make mood boards, get a team together and create something. For me, perfection is being able to create what's in my mind – getting the model who suits the project and the right styling. If I can achieve the end result that was in my head, that is perfection."


What is the most exciting shoot you've ever done?

"Every shoot is so unique. When I graduated, I did a project influenced by fashion. It was very personal – about a relationship that had broken down – and I worked with a big team. I got closure during that project. It was so therapeutic for me. I conveyed my emotions and used my photography as therapy. My heart was 100% in it."


What advice would you give others who want to shoot fashion?

"Connect with people. Have a great time together because that comes across in the images you take. If you don't open yourself up, you don't get as much back. It's so important to have that connection."


What would you say are the biggest challenges with fashion photography?

"My boyfriend sometimes accompanies me to shoots and people assume that he is the photographer. When people see my images, they take me seriously, but when they only see me, they sometimes think, 'Oh, it's just a small girl taking pictures'. I sometimes enjoy this challenge of changing perceptions, though."

One thing I know

Evely Duis



"You must work hard and photograph a lot. What I have achieved is because I worked hard. When I'm less busy I see that as a sign that I need to work harder and put myself out there more. You need to build your network and show people what you do. It always comes back to investing your time, experiencing as much as you can and trying hard every day. If something didn't come out as you expected, learn from that."

Facebook: @EvelyPhotography

Instagram: @evelyduis

Website: www.evely.nl

Evely Duis' kitbag

The key kit that the pros use to take their photographs

Evely Duis' kitbag containing Canon cameras and lenses.

Camera

Canon EOS 5DS

Combine fast, instinctive DSLR handling with 50.6MP resolution, and capture exquisite detail in every moment. "I love working with this camera because I can capture all the details in my fashion and portrait work," Evely says. "In post-production, I can see every little detail and decide how much work I want to do. The camera gives me the creative freedom to do what I want with my work."

Lenses

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

The successor to the lens that Evely uses is a professional everyday L-series zoom that delivers high image quality with a constant f/2.8 aperture. "I can switch quickly from a close portrait to a wider shot," explains Evely. "I can get everything with this lens."

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

A light, bright and fast lens that combines a short telephoto focal length with a large maximum aperture and quick autofocus speed. "This is great for closer portraits and beauty shots," says Evely. "I love the detail it gives and the depth of field."

Related articles

Canon Ambassador Jaime de Diego

Canon Europe Ambassador Programme

Find out how the ambassador programme works, and meet the phenomenal photographers chosen to represent Canon.

Canon Professional Services

Members get access to CPS Priority Support, both locally and at major events; a priority Fast Track repair service; and — depending on your level of membership — free back-up equipment loans plus return shipping and discounts on maintenance. They can also enjoy exclusive members’ offers.

EOS R6