Meet Erotic Photographer & Artist: Nick van Doorn
Queer Amsterdam-based artist Nick van Doorn empowers people to own their bodies through erotic photography and tattooing.
Nick van Doorn is best described as a creative butterfly with a strong background in branding and styling.
Currently working full-time as a tattoo artist, Nick runs Zeitgeist Studio, a queer-focused tattoo space based in Amsterdam. From an early age, Nick had a passion for capturing aesthetic imagery and setting moods through photography. This creative pursuit eventually led him to connect with Untitled Rubber, a brand specialising in rubber fashion.
Their shared work features atmospheric, fashion-inspired imagery highlighting male, female, and non-binary models. The goal: to create visuals that are sensual but never explicit—sexy, yet refined. The aesthetic is bold, artistic, and editorial—something you might expect to see in a high-fashion magazine.
All shoots are done on a low-budget basis, emphasizing the power of collaboration: “Together we’re strong.” Over time, Nick has connected with other brands and companies, contributing to various photo and video shoots that share his signature mood—dark, expressive, and fashion-forward.
- Can you describe yourself in 3 words?
- Tell us more about you and what you do...🦹
- What turns you on?
- What was your journey into this world?
- What do the first 60 minutes of your day look like?
- What is an unexpected pleasure you discovered in your work?
- Why do you do what you do?
- What should more people know about your work?
- What’s your superpower?
- We love vices. What’s yours?
- Who are your sensual inspirations?
- Can you present one of your projects?
- How do you feel about censorship in online and real-life art spaces?
Can you describe yourself in 3 words?
I am a 30-year-old queer entrepreneur mainly focused on photography and tattooing.
Tell us more about you and what you do…🦹
I’m Nick. I’m a tattoo artist by day and run my own queer safe-space tattoo studio in Amsterdam. I’m also a photographer for Untitled Rubber and love shooting erotic photos.
What turns you on?
My biggest turn-on is somebody’s confidence. Someone who really knows what they want and turns that into their whole vibe is super attractive to me.
It doesn’t mean I’m more submissive. I’m a switch, but I really admire that in someone. I’m also obsessed with Shibari, bondage, and latex, which is why I became involved with Untitled Rubber. It’s also my best friend’s brand, and that’s how I became their in-house photographer.
What was your journey into this world?
I was always quite open sexually, but I hadn’t been to fetish parties or anything like that. When I was 18, my boyfriend took me to Wasteland, and I discovered how the fetish community is one big open, friendly space. Since then, one thing just led to another.
What do the first 60 minutes of your day look like?
My day starts pretty badly, to be honest- I don’t sleep much. I go to bed around 1 or 2 a.m. and wake up around 8.
My morning starts with coffee and cigarettes…very on brand!
Then I either head to work or go to the gym.
What is an unexpected pleasure you discovered in your work?
I struggled a lot with myself when I was younger- figuring out who I was, etc. So now, being able to help others feel confident and comfortable in their own bodies is something truly magical to me.
Why do you do what you do?
I love working with people, in general. I used to work in restaurants and service jobs- I’ve always loved making people feel comfortable.
Tattooing allows me to help people feel confident in their own bodies and make them happy.
It’s the same with photography—my biggest goal is not just to shoot great photos, but to make people feel confident and sexy. Seeing that spark in their eyes—that power they gain—is amazing.
What should more people know about your work?
My number one priority is always to make people feel safe and okay around me. I do everything I can to create that environment. I’m a people pleaser at heart.
What’s your superpower?
My superpower is my confidence and my lack of filter- I’m one big open book. I speak from the heart or say things as they are. I just want to be brutally honest with people…it’s a blessing and a curse!
We love vices. What’s yours?
I act on instinct—I’m very impulsive. I do things without thinking, and later I look back and realise maybe I shouldn’t have.
I’m also terrible with money. When I have it, I spend it, on other people too. Again, I love making people happy.
Who are your sensual inspirations?
I’m drawn to people who are aesthetically captivating. One person who really caught my attention is Fabio da Motta—a Brazilian Shibari artist who uses a lot of colour and flowers in his ropes. It’s so beautiful to look at.
I love how he manages to make art that’s erotic without showing much. It’s not explicit, but it really provokes the imagination.
Can you present one of your projects?
One of the shoots I did for Untitled Rubber is the Burgundy Collection. A lot of what I shoot just pops into my head.
My creative process usually starts with stumbling upon a song or something musical, and then I build a whole shoot in my head from that.
I jot down a few notes, then gather people who understand the vibe so we can make it happen. I usually find models randomly on Instagram, shoot them a message, and explain my vision. People usually respond very excited. It’s kind of chaotic, but it really works.
How do you feel about censorship in online and real-life art spaces?
Instagram’s approach to censoring erotic art can be really disheartening. I often can’t share my work, even tattoo photos if the subject is partially nude, even if it’s not an erotic vibe.
Meanwhile, more overtly sexual content somehow slips through. It’s inconsistent, and it ends up penalising creativity and body positivity.
What frustrates me most is that these images aren’t just photos- they’re moments of transformation. I love capturing that spark when a client sees themselves in the photos I have taken and lights up with pride.
Often, people are unsure at first about having their photos shared. But when they see the final image, they connect with it deeply and many end up feeling proud to show themselves in that way.
It’s a shame when censorship cuts that experience short. Still, it motivates me to keep doing what I do: creating work that helps people feel confident and sexy!
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