Photography is much more than just photographing a motif. It's creativity, the right moment, a unique idea. The eye for detail in our Super+ artist studio has Alex from Fotofabrik Munich, whom we want to introduce to you as today's "Artist of Schwabinger Tor":

Hi Alex! What art are you creating here at Schwabinger Tor?

I am a photographer and have specialized in portrait photography for 6 years. Originally I come from the fashion industry, have countless collections for eg Otto photographed. Today, people are in the foreground for me - for job application pictures, Business portraits, family photos, JGA, baby bump shootings and much more.

What makes portrait photography so special for you?

Every shoot is a journey into the unknown between my model and me. Because only afterwards can I say whether it went well - and that's exactly what makes it crazy exciting. Besides, the people I photograph are usually not professionals in front of the camera. Every person requires individual attention, every situation its own interpretation - so my job is very exciting. With fashion photography, it was primarily a matter of putting the setting the scene for the collection. Today, I like the focus on the people in front of the camera better and is extremely varied! You learn a lot about the people ... And yes, that's what makes my job so special for me.

How does a shoot like this work for you?

My portrait shoots don't take long, I usually do them in one go. through. I want my clients to stay in the flow and not be interrupted much. The interrupts the whole atmosphere. But that also means that I have to take the people with me, coach them, pick them up. I accompany them through the entire shoot, stand by their side. If in the end both sides are satisfied with the result, I've been successful.

How did you get into photography?

I taught myself how to use the camera. When I was at school, I always had my camera with me - and one day I also took pictures of a friend. These pictures ended up in the hands of a hairdresser, who was quite taken with them and, through various through various connections, finally hired me for the shooting of a hair campaign. I I just kept snapping away and then decided to train as a photo lab technician. to become a photo lab technician. That doesn't really exist anymore. (laughs) At that time At that time, training as a photographer was only possible with a master photographer. with a master photographer. But the cool photographers were often not masters - haha, so that's how I ended up in the lab. I ended up in the lab and created my basis for photography. I could watch the professionals I was able to watch the professionals, see how they took pictures, and see what they were development. During this time, I trained my eye for a good picture enormously.

And eventually became one of the cool photographers yourself. What has changed over the changed?

I still come from the world of analog photography, those were completely different times. Photography was a real craft with films, spotlights, real backdrops - the pictures had to be The pictures back then had to be right. We sometimes developed the films directly on the set to see if they to see if they turned out well. Otherwise, we reshot. Very often we had Polaroids worth 25,000 marks for a photo production. Today, the industry has has completely turned around, every picture is available immediately. Post-processing - retouching - is also on a completely different level. is on a completely different level, there are filters, soft focus, digital erasers. Everything used to be much more natural. And stylists were extremely important: If the hair didn't If the hair didn't sit right, if the outfit had wrinkles, that was an issue. Mistakes were simply more expensive.

So was everything better in the past?

No, I wouldn't say that. The technical possibilities of our time are insane. In fact, however, I feel that photography today is less artistically sophisticated. With the flood of images that rush in every day on Instagram, there is often no time and no eye for a true photographic work of art. After all, photography may have become easier, but not everyone who can operate a smartphone is a good photographer. a good photographer. (grins) Quite apart from the question of what makes good technical equipment makes ...

How are you in private, do you still (like to) take pictures there at all?

Well, of course, photography is part of my personality. I can't just put that and that's a good thing. Besides my family, I currently enjoy photographing landscapes. When I travel, I can also see the places in a completely different way - then these are not business trips, but simply the view through Alex's lens. Photography is always a question of taste. One's own taste determines which photo is a good one.

Why did you set up shop at Schwabinger Tor?

After my many professional travels in the fashion world, I wanted to become a bit more settled myself on the one hand, on the other hand my people focus also requires a central point of contact. I work mainly in the studio, here and there sometimes outside. So I was looking for a cool location that combines both. Schwabinger Tor is ideal for me: super accessible, surrounded by other creative minds and in the middle of wonderful architecture. I was able to put a tick behind all my wishes and what can I say? Here I am! The neighborhood is also something special away from work: the coffee at Bicicletta is sensational, I'm at Marta almost every evening. And I can continue to live out my weakness for fashion in the Ventrella showroom. A perfect combination!

Reach to the stars: Where is your artistic journey heading?

I have already seen and experienced a lot, so I rather practice humility and gratitude. I just see how it goes ... if my offer is well received, it can get bigger. But it is not a must. I still have a branch in Stuttgart of Fotofabrik with three photographers and interns. Munich has absolute potential to become bigger. But as I said: No pressure, the path is my goal!

#Thank you for these insights, dear Alex - we love to be your Art Homebase!