Canon Ambassador Pie Aerts is fascinated by the relationship between humans, animals and their natural environments. Whether documenting the lives of Buddhist monks in Nepal or photographing elephants in Kenya, the gifted storyteller has earned praise for both his portraiture and wildlife imagery. "I see my camera as a magnifying glass, drawing attention to smaller narratives," he says.

The Dutchman's path to becoming a full-time professional photographer, however, was anything but conventional. Born in Maastricht in the Netherlands, Pie's early ambitions lay in the hospitality industry. After completing degrees in hotel management, he set about climbing the corporate ladder, working for one of the country's largest food retailers. "I was making good money and my career was moving fast," he says. "I was in the middle of the rat race."

But trying to strike a healthy balance in life proved impossible. In 2017, while suffering from severe mental and physical fatigue, Pie decided to quit his day job and devote himself to photography.

The timing was fortuitous. Having gained a sizeable following on Instagram, Pie was given the opportunity to compile his own photography book thanks to a partnership between the German publishing house teNeues and independent Amsterdam outfit MENDO.

Soon, Pie and his girlfriend, Jessica Wintz, found themselves planning the adventure of a lifetime. In three months, they had sold all of their possessions and bought one-way tickets to India. With a canvas to fill, the couple spent the next two-and-a-half years travelling the globe gathering incredible human stories – from Argentina's Patagonia to Indonesia's West Papua. The final result was the hardback Tales from the Roads Less Traveled, published in 2019.

"Entering this new phase of my life made me reconsider what my work was really about," says Pie. "It enabled me to return to creating stories that truly reflected my personal identity."

Today, Pie uses the motto 'Because People Matter' for his portrait work. It's a banner that perfectly encapsulates his ethos: a desire to explore what it means to be human during an age in which the planet finds itself in environmental turmoil.

But as much as Pie wants to raise awareness of difficult topics, he seeks to offer hope too. "I'm always trying to find small things to celebrate, even if it's just a whisper. The story of the Ugandan poacher who became a ranger, for instance. When you radiate the right energy, the more people you can carry with you on that journey."

What is your approach to working with light?
"I only ever work with natural light – I don't use flash or any other artificial sources. Whenever I'm on assignments I'll do some scouting beforehand to understand how the sun will be moving and the best time of day to return. A lot of the research actually takes place at home before I travel. In fact, I'll usually plan future trips based on the narrow time windows during the year when I know the light conditions will be at their best."

How would you describe your attitude towards post-production?
"I don't subscribe to the traditional photo-school attitude of 'the rawer the better'; the idea that an image should be strong enough in its own right without the need for any post-production. When I'm editing a photograph, I'm trying to recreate the same emotional vibe I had while shooting it. Sometimes it requires very little work; sometimes a bit more. But I think the beautiful thing about having a particular post-production style is when people instantly recognise an image as being yours."

Do you have any tips for photographing strangers?
"Don't try to rush into the situation headfirst. Explain honestly and openly what you're there for. You need to make people feel at ease in your presence. I actually think some photographers are too focused on developing their technical skills when they should be investing in their people skills instead. You'll not only become a better human but a better storyteller too."

Your career first took off on Instagram, but what do you admire about photography books?
"There's nothing quite like grabbing a random book off the shelves on a Sunday morning, opening it up and looking through the images. When you put a picture on Instagram, it disappears from people's feeds in 24 hours, but a book just feels so timeless."

"Always aim to create for yourself. Find out what matters to you as a human being and translate that into an artistic voice without spending too much time worrying about what your parents, friends or people on social media think you should be doing. It's hard not to get distracted, and it took me several years to figure out my own identity. But you should regularly ask yourself: 'What do I stand for? What stories do I want to tell as a photographer?' It's important to believe in the narrative you are creating."

Facebook: @pieaertsphotography

Instagram: @pie_aerts and @because.people.matter

Website: www.pieaerts.com