About Dr. Liza van der Stock

Photographic storytelling with purpose.

I’m a photographer, visual storyteller, and Doctor in Arts with a deep commitment to capturing the connection between wildlife, conservation, and the people who make protection possible — whether through formal efforts or ancestral coexistence.

My work lives at the intersection of art and advocacy.

Academic & Artistic Foundations

My journey began with a fascination for animals and local cultures, which led me to earn:

  • A PhD in Arts (University of Antwerp & Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp)

  • A Master’s in Photography (KASK School of Arts, Ghent – cum laude)

  • A Master’s in Sociology (University of Ghent – magna cum laude)

My doctoral research pioneered visual storytelling techniques to build empathy across cultures.

My background ensures each photograph carries depth, exclusivity, and emotional power that discerning collectors seek.

Photography with Purpose

I create limited-edition photographic wall art that goes beyond aesthetics.
Each piece is grounded in visual storytelling, crafted to honor endangered species, indigenous communities, and the spaces they inhabit.

My current series — Forever Wild — connects private collectors with the spirit of the wild, turning admiration into action through partnerships, storytelling, and art.

Working With Hotels & Lodges

Today, I collaborate with a select group of safari lodges and conservation properties to create story-rich photography collections.
Each project is approached using elements of my PhD methodology — drawing out the unique character of a place and the people who define it.

The goal is simple:
To create visuals that inspire, elevate, and endure.

Finding Stories Worth Telling

What drives me most is discovering exceptional people and powerful moments — and turning them into lasting stories.

My work is quiet, intentional, and immersive.
It’s designed to resonate deeply with those who view it — whether hanging in a collector’s home or placed with care in a hotel suite.

A Personal Note

I dedicate all of my work to my mother, who brought me on most of her field trips as an anthropologist.

She taught me curiosity and resilience — two things I carry with me every day.

I miss her daily.

Click any of these links to see some of Liza’s work.

VISUAL STORYTELLING FOR HOTELS:

VISUAL STORYTELLING FOR RESEARCH:

Dr. Van der Stock has a Master’s degree in Photography and Sociology.

For her doctorate, she researched the use of photography to create understanding and rapport among groups with high levels of prejudice against each other.

Next, she developed her own photographic method for visual storytelling as part of her PhD dissertation.

Dr. Van der Stock’s photographic method focused on communicating emotions and creating a deep understanding among transgender women in Mumbai (India) and students. High levels of stigmatization prevent transgender women from participating in mainstream society and attending college/university.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, TRANSGENDER WOMEN IN MUMBAI

Education

  • PhD in Arts (2017-2021, University of Antwerp & Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp)

  • Master of Arts Photography - Documentary specialization (2015-2016, KASK School of Arts Ghent, cum laude)

  • Master of Science in Sociology - Major in Conflict and Development in a Global World (2012-2015, University of Ghent, magma cum laude)

Awards

  • 3rd Place at 2015 Sony World Photography for Paradise Lu$t (People category - Professional Competition)

  • Winner of the 2014 Freedom to Love Award for Sisters! Brothers!

  • Winner of Pitch your photography project for Sisters! Brothers! (Donkere Kamer Rotterdam #5, 2015)

  • Winner of Pitch your photography project for Change Within (Donkere Kamer Antwerp #1, 2016)

  • Finalist of the Digital Manipulation & College competition of the 2018 Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Zoya and Close Encounters

Exhibitions

BEYOND THE FANTASY

  • Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition, London, UK (24 Apr − 10 May 2015, World Photography Organisation)

  • TWENS, Leuven, Belgium (13−28 Sep 2013, Unexposed)

IN THE SHADOW OF PARADISE

  • Freedom to Love, London, UK (12−17 Jan 2015, Accademia Apulia UK)

  • Gafodi f/50, Gavere, Belgium (4−20 June 2016, Gafodi)

BRIDGING WORLDS

  • Trademarks, Hasselt, Belgium (1 Oct 2016 – 8 Jan 2017, Stadstriënnale Hasselt-Genk)

  • KASK Graduation 2016, Ghent, Belgium (24–28 June 2016, KASK School of Arts)

  • Onderweg, Leuven, Belgium (5 Sep 2015, pop-up exhibition with photographs sold to benefit the UN Refugee Agency)

RESILIENCE AMONGST THE RUBBISH

  • Around the World with Female Photojournalists, Brussels, Belgium (8 May – 30 June 2019, Géopolis)

Multiple series

  • Ecce Homo, Antwerp, Belgium (17 Nov 2017 − 25 Feb 2018, Geukens & De Vil)

  • My Me, Antwerp, Belgium (Aug 2018, Boysproject)

  • Women and Violence, Antwerp, Belgium (4−5 Oct 2018, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp)