To begin, who are you, besides being a photographer and how did your first get into photography world?
I discovered the world of photography during my school years, later I started reportage photography for magazines and finally it ended in commercial work.
What is photography according to you?
German proverb says "photography is writing with light". I think that describes the essence of photography very well. The photographer interprets reality. It is in his hands to give reality a new twist through exposure and composition.
What inspires you and what gives you ideas to create your beautiful images?
Light is what makes up our world. Without light there is darkness and we would all run around banging our heads against walls. If you want to write with light, first of all you have to see light. That's why you should walk through the world with open eyes and be curious. That is the greatest inspiration.
From your own experience, what are the biggest challenges for an independent photographer?
The biggest challenge for an independent photographer is probably to find the balance between free work and economic necessities. In the long run we can only get ahead if we leave space for creativity and independence and, above all, if the society wants to afford it.
Thomas, tell us a secret, what is the key to getting the best out of someone for portrait and fashion shots?
I don't know if there is a secret. If you want to take good photos of people, you should be interested in people. Get involved with them, give them something of yourself and they will give you something back.
In your opinion, what makes the good picture stand out from the average?
A good photo captivates the viewer. It tells a story, takes them on a journey. Degas wrote: "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see". I think that sums it up very well.
How do you choose which images you provide to your clients?
We are in the lucky situation that most of our jobs give us a lot of freedom. They appreciate our view of the world and our way of depicting reality. We don't just take photos, we deliver concepts, tell stories. So we choose the photos that best tell the client's story.
How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?
We wouldn't describe it, we would show it. After all, we are image makers.
How does your normal everyday life looks like?
I am a very normal person: I have a family, I live in a house in the country, I have friends, just like all of us. And I have this job, which I like very much. This means I can sometimes work in places where others go on holiday and sometimes see things that others don't see. Maybe I can do something special. But I am nothing special.
What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
Actually I don't need to motivate myself because I really like what I do. We all have a limited lifetime. So it doesn't really make sense to spend too much time in bed.
Are there any current projects you’re working on that you can tell us about?
We always have a whole series of exciting projects. But most of the time we can't tell you anything about it. However, I can mention a very personal project that is in the works. It is about young people's plans for the future. That is really exciting and surprises me again and again.
Where can our readers keep up with your work and get connected with you?
The easiest way is to follow @stac.photos on Instagram.
Model: Stephanie Hack @stephanie.hack
Photographer: stac.photos @stac.photos
Makeup Artist: Julia Waltner @juwa.makeupartist
Wardrobe Stylist: Melanie Patzina @patzina_styling
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