Teen model poses for the camera and hits the gym
Maxim Van den Nieuwenhuyzen poses for an exterior shot while modeling. • Photo by Kevin De Borger
By Tom Victoria
Maxim Van den Nieuwenhuyzen stood out in a sea of faces once he started posting photographs a few years ago. The Belgian caught the eye of a photographer and was soon on his way to becoming a freelance model.
“The ball started rolling,” Maxim said. “I posted more photos and more photographers started to contact me.”
At 15, he took the stage in Antwerp, catching the eye of more people.
“I enjoyed it,” Maxim said about posing.
Although the 18-year-old doesn’t have the desired height for a fashion runway, he finds work in photo shoots.
Maxim does photo shoots in various settings. • Photo by Jorg Brucker
“A lot of agencies contacted me,” Maxim said.
He now savors working in front of the camera.
“When I’m doing a photo shoot, I’m looking forward to it,” Maxim said.
Over time, he learned how to become more natural in posing, conveying the appropriate emotion for the lens.
Along with having the looks to be a model, Maxim also boasts an impressive physique.
“I train every day,” he said about working out. “I just got back from the gym.”
Maxim started attracting the attention of photographers a few years ago by posting pics online. • Photo by Jorg Brucker
Maxim said being fit is not so much motivation.
“It’s more like discipline for me,” he said. “I want to feel good. I want to feel good.”
Maxim started training nearly two years ago.
“I started doing weights with compound movements,” he said.
Now, Maxim is honing his craft.
“I try to start working on technique more,” he said.
Maxim has a background in athletics, playing European football (American soccer) and English boxing for a year.
Photos by Kevin De Borger (1, 2 and 4) and Jorg Brucker (3)
He’s also into finance trading.
Maxim dispensed advice to those aspiring to model.
“If you want to start, go take pictures,” he said about creating a de facto photo shoot.
Maxim also offered pointers for people wanting to start working out.
“Start slowly,” he said. “Train two muscles per day, three times a week.”
Maxim suggested finding a workout partner.
“Get a gym buddy,” he said.
Maxim said patience is key.
“It’s going to be a slow process.”
The link to Maxim's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxim_vdn/