Born Jan van der Pant on January 11, 1884, Vanderpant grew up in
Alkmaar. Although expected to take over his father's tobacconist business, Vanderpant developed artistic passions especially those related to music and literature. From 1905 to 1912, he studied at the
University of Amsterdam and
Leiden University. He also published a few poems in Dutch literary journals and in 1908 published his only book of poetry, "Verzen" [Verses]. His short story,
Haar Verdriet was published in 1908 and in January of that year the journal Nederland in Riip published Vanderpant's first photograph: a winter image. In 1910, while still registered with the University of Leiden, Vanderpant started working as a photojournalist for the magazine
Op de Hoogte [Well Informed]. Until 1913, he published photo-illustrated articles on Italy, Portugal, Holland, and Canada. On July 6, 1911, Vanderpant married Catharina over de Linden. She eventually became a Christian Scientist and her beliefs were a major influence on her husband. They immigrated to Canada in 1911, and Vanderpant published several articles in Dutch newspapers and magazines on Canada as a possible new homeland for Dutch farmers. In 1912, the Canadian government hired Vanderpant to lecture to Dutch audiences on Canadian immigration. Vanderpant and Catharina settled in
Okotoks, Alberta, in 1912 where he opened a photographic studio. In 1916, they moved to
Fort Macleod and opened another studio while maintaining the one in Okotoks. Eventually, he opened a third studio in
Pincher Creek. In 1913, the Vanderpants had three children between 1913 and 1917: Anna (1913), John (1915) and Catharina (1917). John died from influenza while still an infant. In 1919, John and Catharina Vanderpant and their two daughters relocated to British Columbia. They settled in
New Westminster, where Vanderpant operated a successful portrait business. ==Life and career in British Columbia==