about / MANON VANOVENBERGHE
“To make living itself an art, that is the goal.” Henry miller
I carry that with me, not just in my work, but in the way I try to live.
It reminds me that art is not separate from life, but woven into the way we listen, love, see, and show up in the world we live in.
I value presence over perfection. I return often to the breath, to the pause, to the quiet discipline of observation. Strongly influenced by yoga and eastern traditions, it teaches me to act with care, patience, to let go of control, to allow things to unfold in their own time.
self portrait - 2024
Born in a rural village in Belgium, surrounded by fields and quiet roads, but my mind was always wandering. dreaming of faraway places and cultures beyond my own. Books, old movies, and music from another era shaped my curiosity. imagining worlds and adventures I never thought possible for me.
I grew up with a loyal circle of friends, yet often felt like a stranger to myself. bending to fit in and losing the spark that made me dream. I studied law in the hope of helping others, but the further I went, the heavier life felt.
Eventually, after graduating and a few years of working the steady job, I made the decision to step away from what was expected, and build the life I craved so deeply.
Today, I am a photographer with a deep love for travel, nature, ADVENTURE, different cultures and the underwater world. yoga and FREEDIVing remind me to slow down and stay present. Eastern traditions and the natural world around us fill me with a sense of wonder and gratitude.
Along the way, I’ve been lucky to hold onto the same close friends who’ve known me since the very beginning, meeting the love of my life, while also gaining a family of new friends scattered across the globe. They are the ones who anchor me.
Above all, my heart belongs to this planet. to its breathtaking diversity, and to the people who make it even more extraordinary.
hoping to share that magic with everyone through photography.
i chose the meander - the rivers graceful curve - as a symbol of my practice in photography and in life really.
there is richness in slowing down, depth in exploring the edges, and truth in trusting the journey.
A river is The embodiment of adaptability. it’s a reminder that life's progress is rarely a straight line. the detours, pauses, and unexpected turns often become the richest parts of our journey. the unplanned job, the unexpected friendship, the wrong turn that leads somewhere better.
I invite you in that space, in the quiet pause, allowing things to unfold at their own pace with patience. to explore your connection to the world around you, yourself and to each other, wherever we may find each other.
