Cleo Goossens

Photographer Cleo Goossens uses her intuitive, softly nostalgic style to capture moments that often go unnoticed.

For the Veloretti Journal, Cleo invites you to cycle through Eindhoven, guiding us to three inspiring spots and what drives her as a maker: her pursuit of nostalgia, the role of sport and colour, and the quiet spaces where her ideas originate.

City guide: Eindhoven by light & form

Stop 1: Philips de Jongh Park

Philips de Jongh Park is one of my favourite places in Eindhoven. It’s one of the many landmarks gifted to the city by Philips. The park borders the De Wielewaal estate, once the family’s private residence. For a time, I lived nearby and walked here every day with my dog.

There are so many beautiful trees; the light feels almost enchanted, a place that allows you to breathe. Each season brings its own rhythm. After a walk, I often stop at Parkpaviljoen Philips de Jongh for a quiet moment on the terrace. Since moving away, I cycle here regularly to wander, to recentre.

Stop 2: NRE Grounds

The NRE grounds sit just outside Eindhoven’s city centre. Once a gasworks site, the area is now home to a blend of culture, living and creative studios. During the last Dutch Design Week, my close friend Kyungmi Lee (based in Nul Zes at NRE) and I presented a joint project called Oori Apparel.

Stop 3: El Pastor

El Pastor, a taco and ceviche restaurant, is the place I love to end the day. The atmosphere is warm, intimate, inviting and they serve the very best mezcalitas.

How would you describe your own work?

I’m always searching for a sense of timelessness and nostalgia. I try to find it everywhere, and capture it with the right feeling.

Which projects are you most proud of?

For years I’ve been working on a series about sport and youth. It began in 2019, during a Dodgers baseball game in Los Angeles. The way the light fell, the blue tones coming together, the tiny details that caught my eye - they inspired me. Sport is often photographed in a very particular way, and I wanted to see it through my own lens.

I started photographing visitors and small, quiet details during baseball games, and that’s how the series Blue was born.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I grew up in a village near Eindhoven, in a creative family. My father often played the piano, travelling to other worlds from our living room. It taught me that inspiration doesn’t always need to come from outside. After he passed away, piano music -and playing myself- still helps me find clarity. It calms me, lets my thoughts drift. My best ideas often surface there.

At the same time, I like to seek out new places: the serenity of the desert, the pulse of the city. I need that balance -between calm and movement- to create. I also love contrasts: one evening I’ll go to a (piano) concert, the next I’m just as happy at a football match.

What has photography given you?

With a mother who worked as a writer and journalist, I grew up knowing that there is a story everywhere. My camera became my companion early on, you never know when something special will unfold. Photography feels like the most natural way for me to express myself.

It has softened the boundary between me and the world. Through my camera, I discover stories and places I might otherwise have missed. It’s a beautiful way of seeing the world differently, and connecting with people. Many dear friendships and memories have come from it.