The parent company Fotogeschenk was founded in 2005 by Wilfried Vonk and was one of the pioneers in the Netherlands in personalised photo products and wall decoration. Since 2017 we have been serving the German-speaking market through Ihr-Fotogeschenk.de, and since 2018 we have expanded internationally with Photogift.eu for customers across Europe.
2005–2006: the beginning
In the early years, printing was outsourced so we could fully focus on building our webshop and innovative order modules. Everything was realised with our own resources and people, while production took place through partners in Kampen and Dronten.
2008–2013: new products, new standards
During this period we introduced, as one of the first in the Netherlands, product categories that are now widely known: photo on aluminium, forex, acrylic glass, garden posters, outdoor canvas and our own innovation Plexibond. Photogift set the pace in the market.
2014–2015: office in Amsterdam
With an office in Amsterdam we expanded into the Randstad area, serving many new clients and partnering with photo stores in the Netherlands and Belgium. Some of these also functioned as pick-up points.
2016–2019: first own production
After ten years of pioneering online, we opened our first atelier in Kampen. This was our initial step towards in-house production, giving us more control over quality and customisation.
From 2019: the Fotowerkplaats in IJsselmuiden
Growth required a larger location. We moved to the Fotowerkplaats in IJsselmuiden, just outside Zwolle. Here we combine large-scale production with artisanal finishing. In 2022 we also opened Photogallery.one – a 500 m² gallery above the workshop where artists and photographers exhibit permanently.
Our team
Photogift is a family business. Founder Wilfried Vonk is supported by his sons and a dedicated team. From the very beginning, Martijn Beks has been our programmer and IT architect, responsible for all web modules and integrations. In recent years the team has been complemented by a web developer and a designer, who shaped the look & feel of Photogift, the product sites and Photogallery.one.
Logistics
For large-format products, we operate our own delivery service in the Netherlands and Belgium. Expats and international customers living here benefit from safe, personal and timely delivery. Smaller shipments are handled by trusted parcel carriers.
European expansion
Around 2017/2018 we expanded with Ihr-Fotogeschenk.de for the German-speaking market and Photogift.eu for international customers and expats in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. From this basis, we are extending our reach to Scandinavia and the rest of Europe.
After 2018: Custom Decks
Together with his eldest son Corne, Wilfried founded Custom Decks after 2018 – a company specialising in personalised skateboards. Production also takes place in our Fotowerkplaats in IJsselmuiden.
Today
Photogift has grown into a trusted specialist for photo products on every material. In 2025 we will produce our 200,000th order – representing millions of processed photos. About 20% of our orders are shipped to Belgium and 10% to other European countries, with Germany accounting for the largest share. Expanding further into the European market for personalised photo products is one of our key goals for the coming years. The logistical path has already been laid, and a significant part of our products is now delivered across Europe. In addition to countless consumer orders, we also serve a large group of photographers and photo stores, many of whom have been loyal customers for more than 10 years.
2005 – Founded by Wilfried Vonk (spin-off from Stockphoto-online.com).
2006 – First personalised canvas prints online; production via partners in Kampen & Dronten.
2008–2013 – Introduction of new products: photo on aluminium, forex, acrylic glass, garden posters, outdoor canvas, Plexibond.
2014 – Office in Amsterdam; expansion into the Randstad, partnerships with photo stores in NL & BE (incl. pick-up points).
2016 – Start of own atelier in Kampen (first step in-house production).
2019 – Relocation to Fotowerkplaats in IJsselmuiden (larger capacity, quality & custom work).
2022 – Opening of Photogallery.one (500 m² exhibition space above the workshop).
2017–2018 – Launch of Ihr-Fotogeschenk.de (DE) and Photogift.eu (EN) for international expansion.
After 2018 – Foundation of Custom Decks (personalised skateboards, production in IJsselmuiden).
2025 – 200,000th order produced; millions of photos processed, with around 20% of all orders in Belgium and 5% elsewhere in Europe. Besides countless consumers, we have also been serving many photographers and photo stores for over 10 years.
Today – Family business with focus on quality, innovation and personal service.