Rico Ploeg is a commercial photographer based in Haarlem, near Amsterdam, with more than 30 years of experience producing high-end imagery for brands, agencies and creative teams. His work has appeared in advertising campaigns, corporate communications, product catalogues, editorial publications and television productions across the Netherlands and internationally.
Commercial photography covers any photography produced for business purposes — advertising, product presentation, corporate identity, packaging, e-commerce and marketing communications. Unlike press or documentary photography, commercial photography is carefully planned, lit and produced to serve a specific visual and commercial purpose.
Many commercial photographers work with standard camera systems and basic studio lighting. Rico combines a Sinar technical camera with an ultra-high-resolution digital back and a full Broncolor professional lighting system — including the Broncolor Para 222, widely regarded as the gold standard for controlled studio lighting. This combination delivers image quality that standard photographic setups cannot match.
For complex assignments, Rico integrates CGI, 3D rendering (KeyShot, Blender) and advanced retouching (Photoshop, Capture One) into the production workflow, creating images that go far beyond what photography alone can achieve.
Rico has produced commercial photography for Albert Heijn, Heineken, KLM, Nike, Volkswagen, Samsung, ING, Red Bull, Lidl, Ford, IBM, KPN, MediaMarkt, Nescafé, Nissan, Calvé, Dove, Dr. Oetker, Deloitte and many others, as well as for agencies including TBWA/Neboko, Ogilvy, DDB and JWT.
Studio based in Haarlem, serving clients in Amsterdam, Haarlem, Schiphol and throughout the Netherlands and internationally.
Commercial photography is used in advertising campaigns, product catalogues, e-commerce, packaging, corporate communications, social media and any other visual material produced for business purposes.
Rico uses a Sinar technical camera with an ultra-high-resolution digital back and a full range of Broncolor studio flash equipment, including the Para 222, Picolite, Fresnel and other professional light shapers.
Yes. While most technically demanding assignments are produced in the studio, Rico also works on location throughout the Netherlands and internationally.