Portraits
Personal Documentary

Services

  • Black and white portrait photo of a man with glasses, a beard, and a bun hairstyle, wearing a dark shirt, looking directly at the camera. Shot in a studio in Eindhoven by a professional photographer

    Portrait shoot

    Honest portrait photos from the photo studio in Eindhoven, where your true presence takes center stage – no forced poses, but pure photography that suits you perfectly. Together we create powerful, authentic images. Book your portrait session now!

    Price on request. Starting at €500.

  • Personal Documentary

    Personal Documentary

    A deep dive into your life. To show you and your loved ones exactly what your life looks like, we create a personal documentary. Not unlike the pictures we see in our relatives’ photo albums, but more professional. It can be as simple as showcasing a regular day in your life or following a project you work on over a longer period.


    Price on request. Starting at €1500.

  • Black and white photo of a chef in a professional kitchen, hunched over and meticulously plating a dish on a plate, with similar plates stacked in the foreground.

    Commercial Work

    My commercial photography captures your brand’s personality with clarity and intention. Through strong contrast, clean compositions, and authentic moments, I create images that show exactly who you are and what you stand for as a company. Whether you need images for your website, social media, campaigns, or internal communication, my photography helps you tell a consistent visual story that feels both professional and personal.​

    Price on request.

Black and white portrait photo of a man with a full beard and dark hair, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression; one hand near his temple, tattoos visible on his arm. Shot in a studio in Eindhoven by a professional photographer

who is the guy

behind

the camera?


I am Cas van Laar. For 15 years I have been working as a professional photographer, and the sentence I have heard the most so far is: “I never look good in pictures.” For many people, a photoshoot feels like something they “just have to get over with”. That is something I want to change.

Over the years I have developed a style that combines high fashion with classic street photography. I translate this style into honest portraits and documentary work that show who you really are. A portrait is something you create together. That is why, as a portrait photographer, it is important to me that you know who I’m capturing, and that the person in front of the camera feels at ease. Only then can you show someone as they truly are.

I work from my photography studio in Eindhoven, where I always use the same minimal setup for my portraits to keep the focus entirely on you as a person. In this calm and cozy environment there are no distractions from decor or location, so your presence, expression, and story take center stage.

In a time when photos are often meant just to look good on social media, we create an image that truly represents you, without making things look better than they are. A photo is for you, and you are perfect the way you are.

To show even more of who you are alongside your portrait, we create a photo documentary together. In it, your story is captured through images that show you in your everyday life. The key here is finding beauty in the ordinary. This way, you are left with a meaningful reminder of how beautiful you are and what your life looks like. And you will finally not only look good in photos, you’ll feel great in them.

 questions i often get

  • The average first session with me lasts about two to three hours. The most important thing during a photoshoot is that you feel completely at ease. A relaxed atmosphere is essential for creating real, personal images — photos that show who you are, not who you think you need to be in front of the camera.

    That's why we don't start shooting right away, but first take time to get to know each other. We chat, have coffee, and discuss what defines you. This gives me a clear sense of what to capture, while you get used to the idea of being photographed. That makes every portrait natural and genuine.

    My goal is to create images that go beyond a standard portrait — they must capture your character, energy, and presence. Whether you're coming for a professional portrait session, personal documentary photoshoot, or series of artistic black-and-white portraits, my approach stays the same: calm, focused, and detail-oriented.

    I prefer working in my photography studio in Eindhoven. The studio is bright, minimalist, and designed to exude calm, so you can be yourself without distractions. But I'll happily bring my mobile studio to your location if needed.

    This personal, open way of working creates space for real connection. You see it in every image: a quiet gaze, subtle gesture, or moment that feels candid yet perfectly right. This is what makes my work as a portrait photographer unique — photography where authenticity matters more than perfection. No forced poses, no unnecessary glamour, just pure, timeless images that tell a story.

  • My initial response would be no. The goal of my photography is to tell a story, without unnecessary distractions. As a professional photographer, everything revolves around the essence: the subject itself. Color can sometimes disrupt that purity by adding extra information that doesn't always contribute to the photo's emotion or meaning. In black and white photography, that noise disappears. What's left is pure form: light, shadow, expression, and composition. That's where the real story begins.

    By working without color, a timeless power emerges that gives every image depth and calm. The focus naturally shifts to the gaze, posture, or small gesture that says so much without words. Black and white portraits emphasize emotion over superficial display. They invite the viewer to pause, observe, and feel. This makes these images not only aesthetically stronger but also more enduring in meaning.

    Moreover, black and white allows you as the viewer to fill in your own context. It leaves room for interpretation — you naturally start thinking about the captured moment, what happened just before or after that fragment. As a result, my photos become more than straightforward documentation; they turn into visual stories with openness and tension. Every viewer sees something different, anew each time.

    This is exactly why I love working in black and white as a portrait photographer. It fits my documentary approach to photography: honest, unpolished, and focused on real connection. Black and white images confront us not with superficial perfection, but with people as they truly are. And that's precisely what my photography is all about — people, stories, and the power of simplicity.

  • In theory, I could, but I consciously never do it. For me, photography isn't about hiding imperfections, but celebrating them. The lines in your face, small flaws, or signs of life tell just as much of a story as your posture, gaze, or clothing. They show who you are, what you've experienced, and where your strength lies. If we smoothed those away in Photoshop, we'd lose exactly what makes a portrait unique.

    As a portrait photographer, I always choose a natural, honest representation. I believe true beauty lies not in perfection, but in character. A completely photoshopped portrait says nothing about the person — it becomes an image instead of a story. And my photography is all about that story: the human behind the face.

    Every wrinkle, shadow, or smile reveals something about who you are. That authenticity makes a photo timeless. In professional portrait photography especially, it's crucial to remain recognizable, without artificial rejuvenation or retouching. My job as a photographer isn't to hide anything, but to make the best of you visible. By using light, composition, and mood correctly, a flattering, strong photo emerges naturally — without Photoshop ever touching it.

    So no, I won't make anyone look ten years younger through digital editing. What I do create are real, pure portraits where your personal presence takes center stage. Because that's what makes you beautiful — not the illusion of perfection, but the power of authenticity.

  • Yes, I absolutely work with women too, though my focus in recent years has been mainly on photographing men. That's because men are often less inclined to book a professional portrait session. I want them to see they can book a photoshoot for themselves too because they usually need a practical reason — a LinkedIn photo or something for work. Yet I notice that men are the most surprised when they see themselves captured in a way they're not used to. A moment of calm, a gaze full of character; that's what makes it interesting for me as a portrait photographer.

    That doesn't mean I don't photograph women — quite the opposite. I find it fascinating every time to work with different personalities, regardless of gender. What matters to me is creating real, timeless portraits. Images where someone recognizes themselves and thinks: "Yes, that's me." The approach remains the same: genuine connection, honest lighting, and a relaxed atmosphere.

    My style is documentary and minimalist. No unnecessary glamour, no forced poses, no heavy editing. I believe the most beautiful portraits emerge when someone dares to show themselves without a facade. Whether someone is extroverted or quiet, I ensure there's enough space to move and breathe naturally in front of the camera.

    As a portrait photographer, I've learned over the past fifteen years that every face tells a story — man or woman, it makes no difference. I focus on what makes someone unique: the gaze, the posture, the pause between two sentences. Those are the moments when the real person becomes visible. And that's exactly where the power of my work lies.

    So yes, I photograph women too. Ultimately, it's not about gender for me, but about authenticity, character, and connection. That's what my photography is all about — capturing people as they really are, with respect, attention, and time.

  • Yes, I love leaving my photo studio in Eindhoven and work internationally to meet new people.. I will even move my studio to you if that’s the best way to portray you.

Let’s work together.

Interested in working together, but not sure what you need? Contact me so we can look for the best way to showcase you or your product.