Suzy Oge
Dovile Corrigan
Ceci Wong

Women in Business: Q&A with Martine Sollie of De Fotograficus


Martine SollieIn this instalment, we interview Martine Sollie of De Fotograficus.

Tell us about your business:

As a photographer it is my mission to show everyone their own beauty. I believe that everybody is beautiful, especially when you might think that you don’t look like what society thinks is beautiful.

Also I capture life’s beauty in photobiography’s, a portrait with pictures (old and new), text and audio- and video-fragments.

What 5 words would you choose to describe your business?

Photography, Photo biography, Portraits, Be beautiful!

What are your most popular products or services?

Portrait Photography and Photobiography’s. As long as there are people involved I’m in!

What do you like best about owning a business?

That you have the chances and freedom to explore and develop. Not just as a entrepreneur or as a business, but most of all as a person.

What or who inspired you to start your business?

I guess finding out what I don’t want made me change everything. Also my depression was a turning point in my life. I started for myself but not realizing it was so fitting for me! And now I’ve grown into entrepreneurship and my business. :)

What makes your products/services special?

As a photographer I am good at getting people relaxed, and make you feel beautiful. I know being photographed is sometimes scary, a bit intimidating and not your favorite thing to do. But I try to make the shoot itself something to like, and then you also get some great pictures out of it ;)

Who is your role model or mentor?

I have a friend who is also a photographer, working for several biiiig magazines like the Vogue in Paris and stuff like that. He is awesome, and teaches me a lot! Every once in a while I spend time with him photographing and talking about photography.

What is your biggest fear?

Losing the ones I love. Especially my hubby or my family. Not much else that I am afraid for.

What motivates you on a daily basis?

Making people happy about themselves and capturing beauty. That’s the most rewarding feeling!

What is the biggest challenge you have faced?

Getting through my depression several years ago. It changed my whole life in a very freeing way. I am very happy that it happened, even though at the time it was awful…

What tip would you give women who are starting a business?

Go for it, and don’t give up. Women are very good at talking/thinking themselves down. Lots of insecurities, analyzing, and mood swings… No! You are good at what you do! Go and show the world what you have to offer. :)

What is your favourite business book?

I don’t really know… used Get Clients Now! in training, and that worked…

What are your top tips for networking?

Be yourself, and interested in the other person. And then try to help them connecting to the people they need.

How do you maintain a work/life balance?

Sometimes I don’t ;) But my hubby is an employee and that helps me to have some kind of structure.

What is your motto or theme song?

Almost there – Anika Noni Rose

It’s from the Disney movie Princess and the Frog. And I love the lyrics! I sometimes sing along (really loud) and it makes me feel strong in what sometimes seems like a harsh world.

How do you relax?

Cooking, playing and making music, have dinner with friends, watch series with the hubby :) and lots of other things.

What place inspires you and why?

Not a particular place. People inspire me more then places. Although my world trip inspired me a lot!

People may be surprised to know…

Hmmm… I don’t know. Ask me what you want and you will know :)

What do you care most about, as a business owner?

That this is something I build by my own hands! Proud of that. So I think my freedom to build and expand is precious to me.

What are your future plans?

Helping a lot of people see their beauty, and making lots of people happy by capturing their life, stories and beauty in Photobiography’s!

Thank you, Martine!

De FotograficusFor more information about Martine Sollie and De Fotograficus, please visit