I always loved going to shows and the idea of combining photography – my second passion - with music sounded like the best way to have a lots of fun, meet some cool people and travel around the world. In the late 70ties, I was going to a lot of shows and started to bring my camera, so I built my portfolio mostly with photographs of local bands. Those photos got me my first published work in some Belgian and Dutch hardrock/metal magazines.
The first "big" band I shot was Van Halen and from that moment I made up my mind : "this is the thing I want to do" !
In 1983, things started to evolve : Mausoleum Records asked me if they could use my pix for the artwork of "If It’s Loud, We’re Proud", a compilation featuring Ostrogoth, Crossfire and Killer. A couple months later, Killer asked me to join them on their UK tour to make some snapshots. Those pix ended up in Joepie, at that time the biggest teen magazine in Belgium. Working for this magazine opened more doors and later
that year I became Festival Photographer of the legendary Heavy Sound Festival (83-84-85). Some bands who played the festival were Metallica, Slayer (first show ever outside the US), Mercyful Fate and Twisted Sister.
More and more magazines picked up my photos and over the years I’ve been able to publish photos in a lot of publications like Aardschok, Rock Tribune, Terrorizer, Rock Hard, Metalhammer, Metal Edge to name a few.
I’ve been lucky enough to meet and get support from a lot of people and bands and so far I’ve managed to get my photos on several CD/DVD covers, by bands like Shelter, Madball, Agnostic Front, Sick Of It All, Sengir, Discipline, Rykers, HateSphere, Nuclear Assault, Convict, Doro, Slapshot, Liar, Angel Crew, Deviate, Seven Witches, Agent Steel, Bleeding Through, Maroon, Autumn, Cyclone, Ignite, Nailpin, Epica, Dimmu Borgir, Lacuna Coil, Unearth, Obituary ...
I spend my time doing photo shoots for record companies , magazines, bands... On top of that I get to see and shoot tons of shows.... And here I am right now, almost 30 years later, still enjoying my hobby like there is no tomorrow and getting excited everytime I’m at a gig or festival.
Of course none of this would be possible without the help from the bands, promotors, labels, tourmanagers... A big "Thank you" goes out to all these great people !
Herman Li (DragonForce) :
“Rudy always delivered excellent live photos which captured DragonForce’s energetic performances. He is a real artist behind the lens !”
Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil) :
"I met Rudy in Brussels, circa 2000. We took some quick pics together ,in a dark bar, I remember we had like three minutes in between two interviews I had to do.
When I saw the pictures I immediately realized he was definitely one of the most promising and talented photographers around, cause he’s been able to capture the beauty of the moment, the right light, the right angle..in the few seconds we had available for the photoshoot.
And I was right, he’s one of the best in the music scene.
What I love about Rudy is that he makes you feel comfortable during the photosessions, relaxed, not stressed at all. And you’re ALWAYS sure that the result will be stunning !"
Trevor Phipps (Unearth) :
“Rudy is by far Unearths favorite photographer. He captures the essence of the bands he shoots faster and more effectively than anyone we have ever worked with. Photoshoots are not something we normally like doing, but when we know Rudy is in charge of the shots we actually look forward to it. On top of that, he is one of the nicest and coolest dudes in the business.”
Roger Miret (Agnostic Front/The Disasters) :
“First of let me start by saying that Rudy’s photos are very genuine! He really captures the moment! I have been photographed numerous times but working with Rudy has been some of my favorite times of all! My vote for top photographer ! ... “
Silenoz (Dimmu Borgir) :
"Rudy knows how to capture the moment, whether it being a funny or a serious one, important or not. It’s all there !"
Tim “Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest/Iced Earth/Beyond Fear) :
“I’ll tell you, Rudy is the man, If he can make me look good in a photo...then he is good! LOL. He has always taken great live shots of me and I would like to say thanks… You want some good shots, then he is your man !”
Freddie Cricien (Madball) :
"Rudy De Doncker is not only an old friend.. he is a wonderful photographer! He has been visually documenting our band for over 10 years, and he’s never let us down"
Frank Watkins (Obituary) :
“We Love Rudy’s photos... he’s the only guy that can make us look more badass than we already are !”
Josh Rand (Stone Sour) :
“love working with Rudy. He is great photographer and a great guy. And I’m look forward to working with him again.”
Juan Garcia (Agent Steel) :
"Rudy has been shooting AGENT STEEL since the early days, and recently shot our ALIENIGMA 2007 promo photos for our new album and press alike. He is fantastic to work with, knows his stuff, and we really enjoy his photos. He’s top notch professional, an amazing photographer, and above all a great human being, and great Friend....He is the Man !!!!!"
Mark Jansen (Epica) :
“Rudy is a very professional photographer and also easy going, so you feel comfortable with him right away. He’s also very open minded and full of ideas.”
Ray Cappo (Shelter/Youth Of Today) :
"Rudy knows everybody and I’m glad he knows me ! When ever I’ve needed something...he’s just one email away and he shows up with gear - he’s done incredible live band photos, promo photos, even family portraits and yoga photos. I still never went to Disneyland with him though !"
Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall) :
"I have taken photos with a lot of photographers over the years, and my favorite European photographer by far, is Rudy! He has a great knack for capturing a band’s live presence in his work. Very Metal !!"
Who I'd like to meet: Cool people.
Bands & people to work with...
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