Early Beginnings

GermanylifepersonalphotographyportraitsthoughtsUncategorized

Dec 13

In October I went to Kaufbeuren, a small town close to Munich in Bavaria to visit my step mom who was very nice to me. My dad had not left me anything but what was still in the house were all my baby albums. What a treasure!I was stunned about what I found. My grandfather who was by nature an amazing artist also was an enthusiastic hobby photographer. In the 1970's he bought a CONTAX RTSSLR what was back then top of the line even for professionals and would not stop to take pictures of my sister and me.The same equipment started my photography career. When asked him in the 90's if I could borrow his camera to do the first test shoots he gave me the entire bag and said, "this is yours now".He took amazing images. I could not have done a better job and it made me wonder where my interest in the medium originated from.I was also surprised to find out that at the tender age of 3 I already took a keen interest in photography as this photo proves that unfortunately was damaged by a flooded basement.The camera that I'm using in this picture my grandfather had used during the Russian campaign. It had survived years in the field, chilling cold weather, sniper attacks, bombing raids and hedgehoppers. It had traveled all the way to Moscow and back.But it would not survive me. :-)