Meet Taike De Wilde | Photographer & Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taike De Wilde and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taike, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
Regarding concert photography, I always try to provide images from a point of view that the
people in the crowd wouldn’t necessarily experience. Capturing emotions in the artist’s face
that are there for just a second, but long enough for me to snap it.

Long term, I’d love to be part of a world tour. I think the big tours, with those huge productions are truly
magic coming to life. Just look at the biggest tours of the last couple of years like The Harry
Styles Love on Tour, the Beyoncé tour or Taylor Swift’s. The things that they are bringing to
crowds all over the world is really unbelievable. The stage, the outfits, the lights… Every
detail matters. I’d love to be among one of those hundreds of talented people that work on
creating such an experience and capture that magic.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a graphic designer and a photographer with a passion for the music industry. I studied graphic design in college so it all just came very naturally. Once people hear you study design, before you know it, you’re making posters for local parties and logos for your mom’s friends.

The photography game is a little bit harder to get into. I never intended to start my own business at all. When I was 13 or 14 I started going to concerts. There was always this one photographer and I just thought he was the coolest guy ever. His photos were amazing and he was photographing all my favorite bands. Spoiler, I was an emo kid. Every time I saw him
I just thought: “That is so fucking cool, I want to do that.” Back then I never thought I’d make a career out of it, until I did.

My first gig was photographing a charity event which I designed the posters for. Every single artist that performed that evening I still work with now, six years later. My musician friends all started their own journeys and we had this exciting thing going on where we’d grow our skills together. I’d follow them around with my camera as they traveled the country with their guitars and guerilla gigs. We watched each other’s audiences grow. From there on, I gradually kept meeting new people and creatives who trusted me with their photos and visual work. And the ball went rolling.

During these last years, I feel like I have developed my own style, and I’m still developing it. My artistic journey has been a process, marked by growth and exploration. I feel like it’s ever-changing because there is just so much I want to try and experiment with. I am definitely my own biggest critic.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned over these years is that it’s never the end of the world if something goes wrong. We’re all human, doing our best on this earth. Sometimes things don’t turn out exactly as I envisioned, or I need extra time to complete a project, or I have to turn down opportunities because I’m already fully booked. These moments aren’t the highlights of being a freelance creator, but they’re inevitable, and that’s okay. The world will just keep on spinning and we’ll just move on.

(Note to self: read this very paragraph again now and then)

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I come from the beautiful city of Ghent. If you ever get the chance to visit, please do—it’s a decision you won’t regret! It’s a vibrant city with lots of amazing places.

Let’s start the day with a delightful breakfast at KULTUR bakery. They serve the best baked goods, including delicious pastries and sourdough bread.

After breakfast, it’s time for some shopping. If you’re into music, head over to Music Mania, a fantastic record store with a vast selection of vinyl. And for fashion enthusiasts, Rough Riders offers the coolest brands and the best collection of pieces.

Next, let’s take a little coffee break. Vandekerckhove Coffee Roasters is the perfect spot for a cappuccino made with their own freshly roasted beans.

Spend your afternoon walking along the Graslei, the historic heart in the city center. The picturesque medieval architecture along the water is stunning. You can also take a boat tour for a different perspective of the city.

As the evening approaches, let’s start with a glass of natural wine and some aperitivo at Edelrot Wine Bar. They have an excellent selection of wines and small bites that set a good mood for the evening. The ambiance is relaxed and inviting, making it an ideal spot to unwind.

For dinner, make your way to Astroboy, an Asian fusion sharing restaurant that also offers great natural wines. The innovative dishes and flavors are out of this world, and I honestly wish I could eat here every night.

After dinner, the night is all yours. If you’re in the mood for a casual drink, Ventura is the place to be. For live music, check out Barbroos or Charlatan, where you can catch a concert in an intimate setting. If you’re looking for a more sophisticated experience, Jigger’s is the place to be for a fancy cocktail.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a big shoutout to all the women working in the music industry. Your talent, dedication, and hard work inspire me every day. I have my own little group of girlfriends around me, and we’re all working together. They really make this whole thing so much fun and I wouldn’t want to do it without them. These incredible women bring so much passion to everything they do.

It’s no secret that the music industry has long been male-dominated. But instead of being discouraged, we’ve found strength in each other. I really feel like women come together and we form our own little community and I’m so grateful to be a part of that.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bytaike/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taike-de-wilde-5679851a9/

Other: my TikTok (trying to keep up with the cool young kids)

https://www.tiktok.com/@bytaike

Image Credits
Taike De Wilde