He belongs to a generation of photographers who in their very own way make reference to so-called New Topographics. While the New Topographics photographers distance themselves from subjectivel -tinged photography in an attempt to render stark reality as faithfully as possible, Princen objectifies urban space in a comparable way, but with an ironic twist. Seen through Princen's lens, anonymous urban architecture assumes an almost magical and slightly surrealist air. In 2006, he was awarded the "Basis Prijs" Prix de Rome with Milica Topalovic, and in 2007, he participated in a residency at the Chinese European Art Centre in Xiamen.