It all started 7 years ago when I moved to Amsterdam and bought a rusty old bike!

I knew nobody else in the city, but this was fine, because I spent all my time cycling around and discovering new places. I started to uncover the intricacy of the place and was astounded at how beautiful a city it is.

Naturally, I started to photograph the city. I would go out alone. I went out for the sunrise. I went out after dark with a tripod strapped to my back and an iPod loaded up with my favourite tunes. I fell in love with Amsterdam. I went out in the rain, looking for the best place to shoot the reflections. I went out in the snow, the ice and the glorious spring days when the trees burst into green canopies above the canals. It was a beautiful journey of discovery.

I started to post my pictures on Facebook. When I look back now they were not so amazing, but I was learning what the city had to offer. After a short time my pictures got better, and people started to take notice.

I would take friends out with me and show them some of the places I had discovered. Some of them were locals who had lived there all their lives. They were blown away too! More and more people wanted to come out with me, and before long I was establishing myself as some kind of authority on the city’s photographic highlights.

I was contacted by an international filming company who wanted tips on where to shoot their footage, and the best time to do it. And I was contacted by newspapers in Amsterdam who wanted to publish my pictures.

Things started to speed up. I needed a new direction. So I set up AMSTERDAM PHOTO SAFARI - A specialist tour for people visiting the city who want to know the best places to take photos.

But I wanted to keep it small, I wanted to give the same experience that I’d given my friends when they visited: a couple of buddies cruising around the city, talking about the crazy things that go on there, and taking cool photographs.

6 years later, that’s exactly what we still do. Only now I’m helped out by my 3 friends Adrian, Arthur and Ruud. And my Dad, Barry who answers the requests from people who are visiting. But it's the same deal - we keep it small and relaxed with no touristy cheesiness. Its like an afternoon or an evening with an old friend.

Over the years we have met people from all corners of the globe. We share stories about our lives and experiences, and speak about the things we find funny, touching or important.

In the past we have been featured in articles and magazines. But I guess the good word spreads, because late last year I was contacted by National Geographic Traveller magazine. They wanted to do a full page feature on us and recommend us in the 2017 hotlist of things to do internationally. 

I was flattered, and of course I agreed :)

The journey continues but it’s amazing to think what happens when you do something you love and believe in.

Tim, Adrian, Arthur & Ruud