Photography Work Horse: MAN TGE

on the Road for Discovery.

My MAN TGE is my daily travel companion and I want it to be as functional as possible. I’m looking forward to discovering even more photography on the road — during assignments in Belgium and abroad.

The van is currently in its configuration phase. The insulation phase is over, but since I’ve been doing more transport work lately than expected, I’m now carefully designing how the interior should look and function.

Introducion.

I became serious about photography when I was 22. I’ve always loved creating images in a chaotic world – trying to simplify objects and sceneries. At the office, I work on cycling brands Veloe® and Van Nicholas®. During those early years, photography naturally became a part of the job — especially when working with limited budgets – it powered me to learn photography. It turned into a fascinating process: capturing a bicycle in a way that tells a story is an exciting challenge.

Not long after, a local organization asked me to photograph all kinds of entrepreneurs — people with stories worth telling. And honestly, that’s what I enjoy most: talking with people about their ambitions and setting the right mood for a shoot – portrait.

After 4 years in wedding photography – I’ve learned that a vehicle to sleep in is no luxury. Well, it kinda is when you own a MAN TGE – let me get into that later on.

For the next years – I’m curious to discover photography on the road. As I’m traveling for work, I’d like to add travel photography to my portfolio. Let’s see what happens!

Curious on how the MAN build is progressing and my photography?
Follow me at @rembrand.travel and be in the loop. 🚐 📷

Step 1.

Choose the van.

I choose MAN TGE 3.180 because of the space, height and the cost. It is cheaper than the VW Crafter – yet exactly the same. I did visit a VW dealer – impressed by the showroom but the I visited MAN (Neyt – Lokeren BE) and I had my first testride right there, sat next to a the person in charge at his office, looking for possibilities. He told me the reason why MAN is more affordable is just because they didn’t had a showroom.

MAN is a Truck&Bus company started in the large ship business. “Yeah, this sales person sold me a MAN – and after 10 months now, I’m really happy with it.”

Step 2.

Insulation.

After research, I landed on sheep wool and Armaflex. Little doubt on using 3M as adhesive insulation, but I couldn’t find it anywhere available in Europe.

Gluing the sheep wool, creating a framework and mount on all hole possibilities – didn’t screw anything – did use plusnuts of course. After this – I used around 3,5 packs of Armaflex: extremely adhesive and practical to cut.

No wiring yet – step by step – and actually, I don’t mind cutting the Armaflex back open – enough material to close it back up.

Step 3.

Ventilation.

#staytuned