| Onne van der Wal | |
| Nationality: | Dutch |
Onne van der Wal is a Dutch marine photographer and writer.[1]
Onne van der Wal Photography Gallery is named after him.[2]
Born in the Netherlands, Onne van der Wal relocated to South Africa with his family as a toddler in 1959.[3] [4] He lived in the then apartheid-governed country until he completed his education in 1979.[3] [5] He is trained as a machinist.[6]
His career began in sailing, but after a pivotal encounter with a Sail Magazine editor in 1981.[3] [7] He was on board Flyer II which won the 1981–1982 Whitbread Round the World Race.[8]
In 1980, van der Wal visited Newport, Rhode Island with a friend and decided to settle there by 1985.[3]
Following an initial stint in the marine trade, he pivoted towards professional photography, encouraged by fellow sailor, Jim Adams.[3] In 1987, he founded Onne van der Wal Photography, establishing his first Newport gallery in the early 2000s, later relocating to Banister's Wharf.[3] His business includes conducting photography workshops with plans for future international expeditions.[3]
In 2013, van der Wal published Sailing, a book comprising sailing photographs.[9] A later work, Nautical Newport, contained curated images exclusive to Newport.[9]
van der Wal lives in Newport, Rhode Island with his wife, Tenley, and three children.[7] [6]