About Me

Who am I?

I’m Jochen Bongaerts, a photographer based in Lommel, Belgium.

Thank you for visiting.

I bought my first camera 16 years ago, after getting inspired by a series of photos from local nature. I knew that was what I wanted to do too.

Photography changed the way I look at the world around me. It motivates me to search for the nicest locations, light and moments.
That’s what drives me.

Have a look at my portfolio to get a taste of my work. I hope you’ll like it. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or just want to have a chat.


Some of my achievements

International Awards

2014 Annual Zeiss Images contest: winner

2017 International Photography Awards: honorable mention in the category landscape

2018 Monochrome Awards: honorable mention in the category nature

2018 Chromatic Awards: honorable mentions in the categories nature and landscape

2019 International Photography Awards: 2 honorable mentions in the categories landscape and nature

2019 Chromatic Awards: second place in the category people + 4 honorable mentions in the categories landscape and wildlife/animals

2019 Travel Photographer Of The Year (25000 entries from over 142 countries): finalist

2020 International Photography Awards: honorable mention in the category landscape

2021 Motif Collective Gallery: third place

2021 International Photography Awards: honorable mention in the category nature/landscape

2021 Epson International Pano Awards: 2 silver & 1 bronze awards in the category landscape/nature

2021 Tokyo Awards: finalist

2022 Monochrome Awards: honorable mention in the category landscapes

2022 Epson International Pano Awards: silver & bronze awards in the category landscape/nature

2022 Travel Photographer Of The Year (20000 entries from 154 countries): second place

2023 Epson International Pano Awards: silver award

2023 Annual Zeiss photo contest: winner

2023 Travel Photographer Of The Year: commended (top 5)

Gallery Publications

I’m an awarded photographer at one of the world’s most exclusive curated art galleries, “1X”.
Only 1% of all photographers applying to 1X are published. Two of my photos were even included in the very exclusive limited edition books “Memento” and “Visions”.
They also distribute my work worldwide.



2014 ZeissImages Contest Winner !

This years contest was difficult to judge based on the number of superb entries submitted by so many talented photographers. However, there was one picture that really stood out as capturing this years theme so accurately. In addition to the creative composition, processing, lighting and balance, this years winning photo featured a capture which could be seen as two separate subjects complementing each other in the entire frame of the photograph. This is just one of those photographs that draws your attention to the entire frame with nothing wasted or uninteresting. A big congrats to Jochen Bongaerts from Belgium for his wonderful photograph title “In a fog”.

Dear Jochen Bongaerts,

It is my great pleasure to inform you that your work has been awarded an Honorable Mention in the 2019 International Photography Awards – Congratulations!

Your winning images will be posted on the IPA website Winners page and your name will be featured in the IPA Annual Book of Photography.

You are also invited to attend the upcoming Lucie Awards Gala in New York City, where the final winners of the “Photographer of the Year” and “Discovery of the Year” awards will be announced.

IPA - International Photo Awards's PhotoIPA - International Photo Awards

Dear Jochen, I’m very happy to tell you that you have been published in yearbook 2016 Visions. This is considered the highest honor in 1x. I want to give you our deepest thanks for contributing with your excellent photography making this book possible.
Visions is printed in a very exclusive limited edition of only 500 copies. It represents our vision of the best photography in the world, both in color and black and white.

Thank you very much for sending in your pictures for the photo festival “Lens op de Mens” (Spotlight on the people). The huge amount of contributions made the task of the jury even harder. After due consideration they decided to exhibit 4 of your printed pictures alongside the route. Congratulations!

Dear Jochen, our warmest congratulations for being published in yearbook 2015 Memento! The interest has been huge and it’s been very hard to get published this year, so this is a great achievement! Being published in the book is considered the highest honor in 1x.
Memento will be printed in a super exclusive limited edition of only 499 copies.

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