Long before sunrise, as the night slowly melted into soft morning light, I walked towards the Breskens Lighthouse. A fresh sea breeze swept through the dunes and tangled my hair, while clouds raced swiftly overhead. After a restless first night in a different bed at our holiday cottage, I decided to grab my camera gear anyway. This spot in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen feels warm and familiar, as we have been visiting this area for many years.
Magic of the Early Hour
As the horizon slowly began to take on colour, it quickly became clear this would not be a spectacular sunrise. Yet, the strength of the morning lay in that quiet moment. Arriving at a familiar location, I quickly unpacked my camera gear. My first shot—still taken in the dim pre-dawn light—turned out to be the most atmospheric of the entire session. The beam of the Breskens Lighthouse cut through the night. For me, this is the magic of landscape photography: unexpected moments that speak louder than any palette of colours.
Zeeland Coast & Personal Connection
The Breskens lighthouse is more than a landmark. In addition, it is a personal symbol of coming home — breathing salty air, hearing the waves, and feeling the calm of the coast. As a result, every time I stand here, I feel deeply connected to the landscape—whether I come for photography, relaxation, or simply to breathe in the fresh sea air.
Here are two photos from years ago, taken at the same location:
Bring the Coast to Your Home
Inspired by these views? Want to bring a piece of the Zeeland coast into your home? Explore my unique photo prints on Art Heroes or support my work via Ko-fi helping me capture more of these special moments. Together, we can keep the beauty of the coast alive!
View more photos via the link, which, like this one, are part of my portfolio ‘Coast’.