ALS Car Calendar 2025
The ALS Car Calendar 2025 marks the beginning of a new and meaningful initiative. This project was born out of my personal motivation to raise awareness and funds for the fight against ALS, a disease that has deeply affected my family. Creating this calendar was an intense but enriching experience, where a passion for photography and a clear mission came together. Through this blog, I will take you through the process behind the calendar, its impact, and the valuable lessons I’ve learned. Together, we are building a future where ALS no longer exists.
Table of Contents: ALS Autokalender 2025
- Why the ALS Calendar
- Sponsors
- Overview of Participants
- Amount Raised
- Publications
- Lessons Learned
- Conditions for Next Year
- Report on the Shoots
- Madalina Rosu - Porsche 911 Carrera
- Indre Voicechovskyte - Porsche 924 Turbo
- Joana Santos - DAF 33
- Anjela Melkonyan - Citroën DS
- Roos van Velzen - Ford Mustang
- Laura Michalowska - MG A
- Sofia Artamonova - Jaguar E-Type 2+2
- Emmanouela Shaipi - Mercedes-Benz 220 SE
- Jessica Bonarrigo - Buick Special
- Diana Tšerepanova - Cadillac DeVille
- Valeria Suvorova - Alfa Romeo Spider 1600
- Selina Olzheim - Mercedes-Benz 380SL
- Conclusion
- Attachments
Why the ALS Calendar?
The ALS Calendar is much more than just a simple product. It is a collective desire to eradicate ALS from the world. My mother was able to express her passion creatively through painting until her hands no longer allowed it. Her paintings remain a lasting source of inspiration and joy for us as family and friends. This car calendar is therefore a tribute to everyone who can follow their passion, in whatever creative way possible.
Sponsors
Without the support of sponsors, the ALS Calendar would not be possible. It is amazing to see how companies and organizations are committed to this important cause. Thanks to their contributions, the production costs can be covered and the proceeds can be fully used for ALS research.
Participant Overview
- Cars: Hein-Jan van Veldhoven, Auto Mooij, Ralph Kruidering, A.U.T.O.-Klassiek, Harmen Visser, P. Verbeek Exclusief Vervoer, Gert-Jan Willemse, Dennis van Werkhoven, Dave Lindenbergh, Alfa Mario, Peter Bart, Jans Classics Cars
- Models: Madalina Rosu, Indre Voicechovskyte, Joana Santos, Anjela Melkonyan, Roos van Velzen, Laura Michalowska, Sofia Artamonova, Emmanouela Shaipi, Jessica Bonarrigo, Valeria Suvorova, Selina Olzheim
- Assistants: Diana Tšerepanova, Eddy van Duijnhoven, Bram van Mol, Monika Kołacz, Anton Tserepanov, Daan Kruidering, Mantas Gelbūda, Gabriel Rosu, Artjom Leonov, Klaudia Shaipi, Jesper Kreuk
- Website: Kevin Vlemmings
- Design: Esther Plaat
Amount Raised
The amount raised for the ALS Car Calendar is €7.532. This amount will be used to support ALS research and help patients.
Publications
The ALS Calendar has received attention from various media outlets. Click the links below to view the articles:
Lessons Learned
The past year brought some valuable insights. Receiving donations through the ALS campaign page without the necessary address information proved to be a challenge. This process was not always clear to donors. The step-by-step process on the website — from reading the information and making the donation to contacting, leaving address details, paying shipping costs, and finally receiving the calendar — turned out to be confusing. This led to delays and was far from efficient.
Although this sometimes caused some frustration, I learned valuable lessons that will help me improve the process. What I aim for next year is a system where donors can make the donation and arrange shipping in one step. For this, setting up my own foundation with Chamber of Commerce registration and tax registration is required. These improvements will significantly simplify the process, ensure more efficient handling of donations and orders, and enhance transparency, ultimately improving the experience for both donors and myself as the organizer.
Requirements for Next Year
Several crucial volunteer roles are necessary for the ALS Calendar 2026:
- Graphic Design: Designing a professional and attractive calendar layout.
- Web Development: Designing and managing a functional webshop.
- Financial Coordination: Keeping accurate accounts and complying with legal requirements.
Other volunteers can help as models, wardrobe stylists, marketers, assistants, or by providing their car. Want to help? Click Here. Suggestions are always welcome!
Report on the Shoots
This year featured an amazing group of people who wanted to be photographed for the calendar, and each shoot was special in its own way.
One of the most challenging but also rewarding aspects of creating the ALS Auto Calendar was determining the color combinations. Color is more than just an aesthetic choice; it tells a story and adds character to each photo. For each car, I not only considered the paint but also how it related to the model’s outfit and the environment where the shoot took place. The result was that no month looked the same.
Madalina Rosu - Porsche 911 Carrera
Car: Hein-Jan van Veldhoven |
Assistance: Bram van Mol, Gabriel Rosu
One morning I arrived at work and saw this beautiful amethyst-colored Porsche Carrera parked in the guest parking lot. I asked around among car enthusiasts at work, but couldn’t find the owner. Months later, I saw it again. This time, I left a business card, hoping the owner would get in touch. And indeed, the owner responded, and I planned the shoot with Madalina.
The Porsche 911 Carrera with Madalina Rosu is featured in January on the calendar.
Indre Voicechovskyte - Porsche 924 Turbo
Auto: Dennis van Werkhoven |
Assistentie: Mantas Gelbūda |
Locatie: Strijp S
De Porsche 924 Turbo was de eerste productie-Porsche met een turbomotor, wat zorgde voor verbeterde kracht en prestaties. Hoewel deze auto niet door alle puristen werd gewaardeerd, bewonder ik de innovatie. Voor de shoot koos ik Strijp-S en het Evoluon in Eindhoven, twee iconische locaties die net als de 924 Turbo een vooruitstrevende geest uitstralen.
De Porsche 924 Turbo met Indre Voicechovskyte is te zien in de maand augustus van de kalender.
Joana Santos - DAF 33
Car: Peter Bart |
Assistance: Eddy van Duijnhoven |
Location: Van Dijckstraat Eindhoven
One morning, I saw a DAF 33 at a traffic light and decided to ask if I could photograph it because it's an important part of Eindhoven's history. They gave me their address, and luckily my memory didn't fail me. I later visited, and they were happy to collaborate. Indre introduced me to Joana, who turned out to be an engineer at DAF – perfect for the shoot!
The DAF 33 with Joana Santos is featured in the month of November in the calendar.
Anjela Melkonyan - Citroën DS
Car: Dave Lindenbergh |
Assistance: Eddy van Duijnhoven |
Location: Ventoselaan Eindhoven
After a product shoot for brewery Lindenbergh, I discovered that the owner had a classic silver Citroën DS. I knew the perfect model for it - Anjela, with whom I had previously done great shoots. Her red outfit was a perfect match for the car and the location. It's wonderful when everything falls into place.
The Citroen DS with Anjela Melkonyan is featured in the month of September in the calendar.
Roos van Velzen - Ford Mustang
Car: Gert-Jan Willemse |
Assistance: Jesper Kreuk |
Location: Koepelhal Tilburg
One day, I saw a beautiful green Mustang in my friends' recommendations on Facebook. I asked them if they were interested in a photoshoot. During our conversation, we discovered that we had been neighbors years ago! I scheduled the shoot at the nearby Koepelhal in Tilburg, which was available. I knew that model Roos would be the perfect fit for the car and the location's aesthetic.
The Ford Mustang with Roos van Velzen is featured in the month of July in the calendar.
Laura Michalowska - MG A
Car: Jans Classics Cars |
Assistance: Diana Tšerepanova |
Location: Neo KVL Hotel Oisterwijk
During a motorcycle ride with a friend, we stopped at 't Koffiehoos in Liempde, where classic cars were displayed. I spoke with the owner, whose father owned all the cars. I sent photos to model Laura, who was completely smitten with the red MG A. I had originally planned to take photos at the Castle in Heeze, but the owner preferred a location closer by. After searching for a suitable place, a friend recommended the Leerfabriek in Oisterwijk, and fortunately, they agreed!
The MG A with Laura Michalowska is featured in the month of December in the calendar.
Sofia Artamonova - Jaguar E-Type 2+2
Car: A.U.T.O.-Klassiek |
Assistance: Artjom Leonov |
Location: Philips de Jongh Walking Park Eindhoven
While preparing for the shoot with model Sofia, I searched for local classic cars and texted her a few options. She quickly replied that she loved the yellow Jaguar E-type. Excited, I discovered that the owner, Frank, lived right across from my building! A visit was arranged, and he opened his garage to reveal his amazing collection.
The Jaguar E-type with Sofia Artamonova is featured in the month of April in the calendar.
Emmanouela Shaipi - Mercedes-Benz 220 SE
Car: HV Computers |
Assistance: Klaudia Shaipi
While buying a new laptop, I discussed my project with the owner, who turned out to be a huge car enthusiast. He quickly showed me his beautiful blue Mercedes-Benz. I had imagined he would be surrounded by yellow flowers, but it was a challenge to find them. A few days before the photoshoot, my father called to say he had seen some stunning sunflowers and knew the landowner. The photoshoot turned out beautifully!
The Mercedes-Benz with model Emmanouela Shaipi is featured in the month of May in the calendar.
Jessica Bonarrigo - Buick Special
Car: Auto Mooij |
Assistance: Monika Kołacz |
Location: Koekbouw Veghel
During my search for classic cars, I contacted Auto Mooij, which has an enormous collection of classic cars, and they were happy to help with the calendar. The owner recommended the Buick Special due to its unique style, which he would describe as gothic. I immediately knew that Jessica would be the perfect model; her tattoos match the aesthetic perfectly. I had an old industrial warehouse in mind for the shoot and immediately thought of the Koekbouw in Veghel, where they were happy to agree!
The Buick Special with model Jessica Bonarrigo is featured in the month of February in the calendar.
Diana Tšerepanova - Cadillac DeVille
Car: P. Verbeek Exclusief Vervoer |
Assistance: Eddy van Duijnhoven |
Location: BCTN Den Bosch
For the calendar, I wanted to use vibrant colors, inspired by my friend Diana's blue hair. I imagined how beautiful it would look with a pink car. Diana was a huge help throughout the project, so we worked together to find the perfect classic car. Luckily, we found an amazing pink Cadillac for the shoot. I found a container terminal at BCTN in Den Bosch where everything came together beautifully!
The Cadillac DeVille with model Diana Tšerepanova is featured in June in the calendar.
Valērija Suvorova - Alfa Romeo Spider 1600
Car: Alfa Mario |
Assistance: Diana Tšerepanova |
Location: Klokgebouw Eindhoven
The search for the white car was the most challenging part of completing the calendar. I wanted something different from the previous shoots, preferably an Italian car. During my search, I met Alfa Mario, a passionate car enthusiast, who offered his beautiful Alfa Romeo Giulia. I had envisioned the shoot in front of a white concrete wall, and the Klokgebouw had the perfect interior. They had limited availability, but luckily Valeria was flexible, and we found a gorgeous green dress. Together with the red interior, it perfectly represented the Italian flag.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia with model Valeria Suvorova is featured in October in the calendar.
Selina Olzheim - Mercedes-Benz 380SL
Car: Ralph Kruidering |
Assistance: Anton Tšerepanov | Daan Kruidering | Eddy van Duijnhoven |
The shoot with the Mercedes-Benz in midnight blue had been planned for a long time but was repeatedly canceled due to rain. It eventually became the final shoot, and what a fantastic conclusion it was! I challenged myself by photographing both the sunset and the night. Three friends assisted me, and their help was invaluable. We used a lot of flash lighting to get the scene just right. In the end, the sunset photos turned out to be the most magical and completed the calendar shoots perfectly.
The Mercedes-Benz with model Selina Olzheim is featured in March in the calendar.
Conclusion
The ALS Autokalender 2025 is a project that goes far beyond photography for me. It is a way to honor my mother, inspire others, and contribute to the fight against ALS. The process of creating this calendar was intensive, but also incredibly valuable. It shows that passion, creativity, and a clear mission come together in something that both touches people and makes a difference.
I hope that this calendar will not only touch car enthusiasts but also others, encouraging them to support this important cause. Every donation, big or small, contributes to research and support for people with ALS. Together, we can make a difference. My mother always inspired me to keep going, no matter the challenges, and that is exactly what I hope to pass on with this project.
Thank you for your support and involvement, and let's continue to build towards a future without ALS.
