The Daily Herald -Fabianus Ferdinand Eduard Fliervoet

I was born on July 7, 1986, in Curaçao. After one year, I moved to St. Maarten following my parents to their new home. I grew up as a quiet child and was mostly interested in drawing, reading, constructing with Lego and having my outdoor adventures – always looking for an outlet to spend my creative energies.

During my teenage years, I highly enjoyed my time with friends in school (I always thought I was the only one enjoying school, everyone else was complaining). I started at MAVO and within 7 years, I managed to get my VWO degree. Those high school years were the most fun; taking a light-hearted approach to my studies, immersing myself in different sports and activities, always not worrying, and taking life easy.

After graduating M.P.C. and moving to the Netherlands, I had to end my seven-year vacation and get some work done. I started with architectural studies, but switched after one year. Now after a not so fun stay in the Netherlands, I'm finishing my Bachelor of Science in biology. However, two years ago after three years of serious studying, I picked up a camera from a friend and I felt renewed.

Now photography literally rules my everyday life and I can't imagine a day without my camera. My camera has become a part of my body and knowing the size of professional camera gear, it is a big part.

For the future, my heart tells me to document the vivid touch of life with photography but my head tells me to pursue an academic career trying to solve a tiny bit of the world's problems. That is what I have to figure out, the current personal conflict of academic knowledge & creative vision.

What St. Maarten district are you from?

Ebenezer.

Where did you go to school on St. Maarten?

Sister Magda Primary School & Milton Peters College.

What is your favourite St. Maarten memory?

Eating Johnny cakes with BBQ spare ribs at the Lolos, ha-ha-ha. On a more serious tone, I would say growing up with friends and family. I can't pick one defining moment.

What was your biggest surprise when you left the island?

Missing family and friends and the casual, relaxing lifestyle of the island; I think most students going abroad, including me, take that for granted. I was also surprised how well things are done here in the Netherlands. The Dutch live in a cramped, wet country with few resources, but they overcome these obstacles with creative engineering, being masters at systems and putting scant resources to their best use. They are also democratically inclined; every individual opinion counts and working together is of utmost importance. While comparing a developed country to St. Maarten is not fair, we can learn a lot from other people and places, especially cooperation, which is ultimately lacking in St. Maarten.

What are your accomplishments?

I can mention my academic accomplishments, but I feel I have not reached there as of yet. With photography on the other hand, I am proud to have my pictures published in magazines and newspapers all across the globe. I am especially proud of my picture of St. Maarten being featured as a two-page spread in all international editions of National Geographic Magazine in January. This is usually the photographer's dream, and I am thrilled to have achieved that, only after 1.5 years of making pictures.

What are your goals?

I try not to set too many goals for myself. Things never work out like you think they will, but that's what makes life interesting.

What makes you special?

We are all special cases.

Where do you get your drive?

Love and inspiration are the two key ingredients; with that, not much can go wrong.

How long have you been gone?

Five years.

Do you have any advice for the young people of St. Maarten?

Yes; do your thing! Try to find a balance in everything you do. Being lazy is fine, as long you make up for it by helping out with charity work, hobbies, studies, whatever proactive approach you love (being a professional couch potato does not count). Ask questions all the time, explore your possibilities, live in the present and believe in yourself.

Are you planning to return to St. Maarten in the future?

Sure, I frequently visit the island, but I am not sure when I will be back. The world is a huge and beautiful place and I would love to get a glimpse of rapidly changing places before they disappear.

Additional information:

My portfolio: www.photodushi.com

Every day a picture! Done with a friend and me: www.photodoubletrouble.com