Frederik Buyckx

This Sony World Photography award-winner tells Lottie Davies why he’s reconnecting with nature for an ongoing project that’s shaping his career

- Lottie Davies

FREDERIK Buyckx (pronounced ‘boeks’) began working as a photographer only six years ago. Since then he has won, among other accolades, the Young Promising Photographer Award (twice), the 2014 ANI PixPalace Award at Perpignan, and a World Press Photo Award. Most recently, he was named Landscape Photographer of the Year at the Sony World Photography Awards for his series ‘Whiteout’ – six striking and emotive images of snow-covered landscapes in the Balkans, Scandinavia and Central Asia. At the relatively young age of 32, the Belgian looks to be at the beginning of a remarkable career. While he’s based in Ghent, Frederik is something of a nomad. His photography, and his life, is a collection of travel adventures, as he observes and records the different people and ways of life he encounters along the way (similar to fellow Belgian Kevin Faingnaert). A messy quiff of ashy brown hair tops a face with an easy smile, and his manner suggests a relaxed equanimity with the world – whatever comes next is fine with him, providing it’s interesting.

Getting started

Frederik began travelling at the age of 17, and took an evening class in photography with his cousin around the same time, although ‘real’ photography came a little later. His studies were in advertising design, and after a four-year masters degree, he ended up being offered his dream job: interning for a top Belgian ad agency in New York.