Staphorst

A village that still looks different

Staphorst is not your typical street photography destination. This village in Overijssel has a character you will not find anywhere else: long farmhouses lining the Gemeenteweg, dark green shutters, blue doors and facades painted in the typical regional colors. That combination of color and architecture gives you as a photographer something genuinely worth working with.

The farmhouses are Staphorster halleboerderijen, a building form in which the living quarters and the barn share a single roof. Almost all of them stand with the ridge running perpendicular to the road, and that rhythm of facades side by side produces strong lines, especially in light mist or raking morning light. A 35mm or 50mm equivalent works well on the street. If you want to bring out the details of facades and shutters, a short telephoto around 85 or 100mm is useful.

Traditional dress

A part of the Staphorst community still wears traditional dress every day. This is not folklore put on for tourists, but simply how people live here. That is precisely what makes portrait photography here a sensitive matter. Always ask permission before photographing someone. It is not only polite, but also practical: the village is known for its reserved attitude towards intrusive lenses. Approach people with respect and you will sometimes get more than you expected.

Light and season

The village is worth visiting throughout the year. In summer the green is vivid and the shutters stand out even more strongly against the whitewashed facades. In winter, when there is frost or snow, the Gemeenteweg takes on a stillness that is hard to describe. The golden hour early in the morning works well: little traffic, soft light and long shadows along the facades.

Practical

You can park along the Gemeenteweg, but be aware that on Sundays Staphorst is largely closed to outsiders. Residents appreciate it if you stay away that day. Weekdays are quieter and more pleasant to work in. Make sure you are on foot once you arrive. A car makes you more visible and keeps more distance between you and the street than a photographer who simply walks.

Sources and further reading

• Gemeente Staphorst
• Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed – Staphorster boerderijen
• Wikipedia – Staphorst