How did you get into photography?
Photography has always been a part of my life. We had boxes of photos at home which we would go through whenever we had some close friends visiting us. Back then, people still had mostly analog cameras and they used to get prints from labs.
I was around 12 years old as my father gave me his Olympus Mju II. I took it with me everywhere. In high school, I had a Zenith and started to do self portraits. It was - and still is - quite exciting to see myself in those photos. Almost like a proof that you exist.
Do you have specific influences in your work?
Honestly, I don’t know. I always think of it as a whole. People you hang out with, the city or the culture you live in, music, movies, books.
What drives you to create photographs?
When traveling, it is very impulsive, almost like an urge to “take the scene with me”. When I am shooting people, it is like I search for a certain connection, for intimacy. It is like I want to “catch” the emotions of my subjects or capture a very personal part of her/him in a very beautiful way. I am just extremely intrigued by others - what they think, how they feel, how they are when no one is around, etc..
I feel connected to others through my camera, as if there is this whole life happening there and I look into it through my lens.
What gets you off - literally and figuratively?
Black coffee in the early morning, a day with no appointments except for shootings, that “click” sound when making pictures, meeting friends for some wine and getting lost in the city on a busy saturday night.. Also there is this quote, German speaking readers will know what I mean “keine Termine und leicht einen sitzen”.
What is your favorite lens?
Depends on what I am photographing. Lately, I enjoy 35mm more than any other lens. However, the 80mm is still the most used lens on my medium format camera.
What is the most important to you in what you do?
That I can stay true to myself and do not try to convince anyone. I cannot stand the feeling that I have wasted my time.
Who or what would be your dream subject to shoot?
Few names I have in mind, they all have one common thing: Male artists. I am not gonna deny that I love masculinity and creativity coming together.
Your favorite photography books?
La Isla by Kate Bellm.
Any other artistic mediums you are interested to explore?
Music, playing my alto saxophone.
Where would you like to see your photography take you in the future?
I love the idea that it allows me to meet other artists whose work I admire. Like actors/actresses, directors, other photographers, painters, writers. It is this dream where I can throw a party with all those creative, brave, crazy people and have fun.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Being modest.
