roots

Born in the tranquil area of Bavaria Allgäu, I have been living in the creative capital of Germany – if not the world – Berlin for many years now. Numerous free spirits, lateral thinkers and artists from this planet still come together here to create new things together, shape diversity and thus shape the cultural landscape of the future. In short: creative input everywhere! A city that is always on the move and constantly changing – an environment for designers could hardly be more exciting and stimulating. How nice to be part of this lively creative pool!

photography

In the summer of 1988, I began to take photographs. With a borrowed camera, I set out in my hometown of Marktoberdorf in search of subjects, and the first thing I captured was a manhole cover. At that time, I had no idea that this would be the first image of a series as extensive and diverse as my collection of manhole cover photographs. My hobby as a singer in the Carl Orff Choir took me on concert tours to numerous countries around the world, leading me to many relevant subjects. Through exhibitions of this work, I eventually received my first photography assignments: from documenting classical and film festivals to working with models and fashion, as well as creating love stories for relevant youth magazines.

Event and portrait photography remain my main focuses in commissioned work to this day. Recently, I have specialized particularly in festivals, workshops, retreats, and concert events that have a spiritual and, in the broadest sense, transformative character. I love to empathetically document and photograph these deep moments of transformation. It is especially important to me not to intervene in the situation—energetically or otherwise—but to observe it mindfully and discreetly. Often, I am consciously part of the event myself, for example, when I dance with the camera or participate in workshops while simultaneously documenting.

In my portraits, I focus on authenticity and truthfulness. Especially in times of AI, these values are becoming increasingly important. Making the soul visible through the body is, I believe, the great art of portrait photography. This, in turn, can only be achieved with empathy and sensitivity towards the situation and emotional state of the person being portrayed. Therefore, I have coined the term „empathetic photography“ for myself – it is my goal and helps me perceive people in all their diversity.

I am very happy to combine the genres of portrait and documentation by offering practice portraits, for example, where I authentically document both the acting individuals and their environment and activities. In my free work and projects, I let my creativity run free with nude photography, fine art, still life, street photography, and landscape photography. Long live diversity! It is my credo – by the way, also stylistically. I am reluctant to force my images into recurring color templates or other presets. My vision and discovery aim to explore the entire spectrum of colors and shades of gray. Thus, my subject determines its design, not the other way around. As I said: Long live diversity! : )

design

Even as a little boy, I loved drawing. I particularly cared about the details: No Indian without elaborate feather decorations and no landscape without lush flora and fauna. During my school days, I discovered my passion for poster design and helped many bands attract more concert-goers – my first print layout assignments, in fact. For over thirty years, the combination of layout, design, and photography has been my daily bread. Often even with butter. More about this on my media design website www.miographix.de.

education

Until 1993, I studied in Bamberg – also rather tranquil – art education, art history, and the archaeology of the Middle Ages and modern times. I dedicated my final master’s thesis to the topic „The Poetry of Things – Still Life and Photography,“ including a practical component that naturally featured black-and-white portraits of one or another manhole cover. This was followed by several exhibitions of the aforementioned photographs and the decision to become self-employed as a freelance photographer and media designer. Many photographic fruits of this decision can be found here on this website…