Marianne started diving in the cold waters of the Netherlands in 2004 and less than a year later she asked Maarten if would like to come with her on a diving trip to Dahab (Egypt). Without thinking at all, Maarten said “Yes!” and they are together ever since. After their advanced-course in Dahab, they booked a vacation to Koh Samui (Thailand). There it became obvious that they got fully hooked. So, they 'just' did Rescue and Divemaster as well. They ‘endured’ a whole month of training in Safaga (Egypt).

Back from Safaga they said “yes!”, this time both, without thinking en they’re travelling under that same name since.  Their honeymoon to Playa del Carmen (Mexico) was ‘obviously’ not without diving. Further vacations went to: Koh Samui (Thailand), Wadi Lahami (Egypt), Marsa Shagra (Egypt), Nakari Village (Egypt), Lankayan (Malaysia), Muscat (Oman), Bunaken and Lembeh (Indonesia), Andaman Sea (Thailand), Tulamben (Indonesia). The ultimate step was emigrating to "Divers Paradise", Bonaire.

Photography has started with a Fuji E900 in a Ikelite housing. The equipment grew steadily since. First a strobe, Sea&Sea YS110 and a close-up lens, INON UCL-165AD. After that the strobe was replaced by a INON Z240 and a second close-up lens was added, and also a wide angle lens, UWL-105AD.

And because of a longing to improve and develop  the level of quality, the equipment was upgraded to a dSLR. A Nikon D300 in a Subal housing. With lenses such as: AF-S Micro Nikkor 60 mm 1:2.8 G ED,  AF-S Micro Nikkor 105 mm 1:2.8 G ED VR, Tokina 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 Fisheye AT-X 107, and for topside a AF-S Nikkor 18-200 mm 1:3.5-5.6 G ED VR. And also a second Inon Z240.

Aquastills.com originated from the wish to make the pictures more accessible for a bigger audience. In spite of the fact that Maarten holds the camera, Aquastills.com is - just like  M&M Ketelaars - a cooperation. Without Marianne there wouldn’t be any beautiful pictures. Next to her patience, she sees and discovers a lot. And - most of all - we can’t forget the second opinion and the compensation for Maarten's colorblindness.