Next month, Maxim, from Kapellen, Antwerp province, will take part in a three-day workshop in the US city of St Louis, given by three of the world’s top insect photographers. Their credits include National Geographic, Scientific American and Popular Science, and they have impressive scientific as well as photographic credentials.

Maxim also has a formidable body of work for his age, but the photography is a by-product of his interest in insects. “I never really bothered with normal photography,” he told Flanders Today. Instead, his interest lies in macro photography, which requires special equipment to bring the camera in close.

The Bugshot 2011 workshop offers only three coveted places for students. “In May I sent off a letter and a portfolio,” he says. The organisers said his work “stood out for the exceptional quality” of his portfolio; they not only waived the €600 fee, they threw in food and lodgings as well.

“I’m sure I'll get to know some new insect species when I’m there,” he says. “And I’m looking forward to learning some new macro techniques, like photographing flying insects.”

Now the only problem is paying for his flight. To raise the cash, he’s selling posters of his photos via his website. So if you’re looking for a 30 x 20 cm headshot of, say, Sybilla pretiosa (the cryptic mantis), there’s only one address: www.mpke.eu