Read this in: German
Right now is a difficult time for everyone and I want to use this year to introduce you to some of the people I’ve worked with over the past two years. They just do a great job that is well worth the money. I think finding a photographer who does a really nice job and really brings you to your best performance from the camera is a difficult thing. It’s a bit like going to the doctor, dentist or hairdresser. A shoot is a very intimate thing. You want to give your money to someone where you know that you like the aesthetics of the photos and, above all, that you like yourself in these pictures. The worst thing would be if you ended up standing there crying because the pictures are crap. I gained a lot of experience through the theater and also before and after in the TFP area. So today I’m going to introduce you to three great photographers that I will always enjoy working with and a number of photography flops that I have made in recent years.
The bad sides of TfP shootings
Let’s get to the bad parts of photography first. That is the big problem today. You can get a photographer to do this in their spare time and take great photos on a super professional level. They often just started it and their job is completely different. On the other hand, I’ve already had the experience that people have learned photography during their studies or training and still the pictures don’t look better than those of my father with 2 per thousand at Aunt Angie’s silver wedding anniversary. Also, to be honest: Photographers are only human and can sometimes come across as pretty arrogant. Accordingly, I am always very careful when choosing my photographers.
The portfolio can lie
For example, I’ve also found that a portfolio can sometimes lie. About three years ago I had a TFP shoot with someone who was really excited about me. I then traveled to the university at my own expense, it was the fiercest winter storm, 1 day that I couldn’t work and where nothing else worked for me. A set was set up there and somehow I was very surprised by how haphazard the photographer was. Unfortunately, I was able to use next to no photo and I think she was very disappointed. But I also thought it was a bit wrong that it was transparent to me. Because the photos in the portfolio were not taken of their own accord, but rather as part of their lessons under the guidance of a lecturer. She was told all the settings or the light setting was made in the plenary. In the end it probably failed because of the light, because it was a black background and black top. After editing it, it somehow looked like my head was floating in the air. A lot of the photos were completely noisy and looked like I had taken it with a cell phone in 2009. My husband is not the best photographer in the world to this day, but I don’t need photos that are below the level of my husband with our Canon 700 D with prime lens. Because, of course, a photographer gives his working time for free on such a shoot, but I also give my working time and the journey.
Even supposed professionals can greatly disappoint you
Another bad shooting experience was even a paid shoot. But one thing I found through Groupon. I would say: once and never again. Because I have a feeling that Groupon photographers aren’t exactly the best photographers. We drove to Hamburg especially for this and I was extremely confused because we then entered a bridal shop. The makeup was all right, but the shoot was a very uncomfortable situation. I had the feeling the photographer knew the poses and wanted to work them off bluntly. These typical photos were then taken, like funny family photos. It had nothing to do with my wish. I wanted fashion photos. I had formulated this in advance in an e-mail and of course I was very disappointed that I had taken these “look through the picture frame photos”. Even worse and more unpleasant was that this photographer offered me to advertise him to people who would then receive a discount. I still find it difficult to this day. He also wanted to send us a CD with the files by post, which I haven’t received until today. That was 4 years ago.
Images are published without consent
Not only once but several times have I seen that you give up control over your pictures to a certain extent. There are definitely very good examples. For example, I get a picture gallery and I can say: I definitely don’t want these pictures and depending on the contract it says: No more than 25% or 50% of the photos may be thrown out and then you simply choose favorites and agree which photos can be published. But I have seen time and again that photos of me were published without my knowledge or with a retouch of the mark “a soft focus exploded on me” and that is simply unbelievably wrong. Also photos in unfavorable poses that not even my father would take with 2 per thousand at Aunt Angie Silberhochzeit … These stories are numerous and I am a little speechless. As a result, I am now convinced that I prefer to pay for shoots and thus have control over what I do with my photos.
The advantage of shootings that I pay for
I have to say: now I would rather spend a few 100 € on a few photos than shoot people for free at any cost. I would of course be very happy if one of my favorites would do TFP with me, but of course that has to fit. You should understand each other and, even as a TFP model, be ready not only to look at yourself in the city, but also to meet somewhere in the middle or at a special location to do a shoot there. Maybe you spend a little weekend somewhere. I also did the same with two out of three photographers, that I combined it with a trip or vacation because they don’t live right around the corner. None of you should underestimate the freedom of paid shoots. In a certain way, there is time pressure for the photographer so that it doesn’t take six weeks or six months until you finally get the edited photos or a selection. Usually the photos are there within a few weeks and you have super edited photos. Above all, it is easier to say again: I would like to have a little less retouching, please.
You can use the photos however you want
This is something not to be underestimated. That’s why I’m very sad that many companies don’t see what potential it has if they not only give out money for a blogger cooperation, but also provide financial resources. With that I can book one of these three great photographers for a cooperation. Because honestly. Jonah takes good photos, but these three ladies take better photos. Photos that really blow you away. That’s an advertising effect on a completely different level. That’s why dear companies: There are three photographers who are definitely in the mood, if you feel like it, to make a great cooperation with great photos that blow everyone away.
Silvana Denker
She is one of the few people in my bubble who is so internationally known that she even has her own Wikipedia entry. And she is just such a kind hearted person who just gives everyone a warm and homely feeling. You always have a good time with her and she is professional and just incredibly talented as a photographer and model. And I hardly know any other photographer who is so great at making their models appear simply in the pictures. Every photo of her is a work of art. Over the years she has worked nationally and internationally with greats like Armin Morbach. Silvana is only a few years older than me, but has made a great international reputation as a photographer, curvy model and BodyLove activist. In 2010 she was discovered by Ulla Popken at a modeling competition and then worked as a curvy model in Germany. Perhaps you know her from 2020 from the Sat 1 format “No Body is perfect – Das Nacktexperiment”. I really lost tears with every episode because the show was so full of empowerment and positive vibes and I think it’s such a shame that there was no second season. In the show, all candidates have the opportunity to wear a great body painting by the wonderful Liz Webster. I was also able to wear this to a shoot with Silvana last year and the photos turned out just wonderful. I’m already looking forward to the next shoot with her.
Yvonne Sophie Then
When it comes to Yvonne, to be honest, I am shocked that I basically lived in the same corner for many years and never came across her. But maybe it only really started when I got one foot out of Göttingen again. In any case, it is definitely my reason why you have to come to Kassel. Because we had such a beautiful shoot for my 31st birthday in 2019. I just love the composition and the vintage vibes in her pictures, whether it’s about fashion, boudoir or anything else she photographs. She has an incredible number of nice references on her homepage. She has already been in an incredible number of magazines and I hope that she can simply publish her photo series in the world’s high fashion magazines and earn good money with it. Actually, I would like to have been in Hann. Münden or somewhere in the area around Kassel last year taking photos with her. I hope that can be made up for this year.
Roxis Fotos
Instagram and her passion for connecting people in photography actually brought us together. In the form of Insta Friends Hannover. Unfortunately, there is a break at the moment because it is simply not possible to meet and take photos together. In addition to the joint Instagram walks and motto shootings in and through Hanover, I also had several opportunities to take photos with her alone or with my husband. And that was very nice every time and I can definitely recommend her because she is a good-hearted person and has good prices and great ideas for photos. Above all, I always find it very nice that she usually brings balloons or a wreath of flowers or just flowers that she has picked along the way. This gives your photos their very own beautiful atmosphere. I wish we could work together this year. And can do paid shootings in the direction of Boho in the heath together. I definitely have enough white fluttering dresses.
