Interviews / Stories
Interview: Photographer Maurice Lohrke (Germany)
Tell us something about yourself
Born 1973 in Germany into a family of teachers and artists, i grew up in connection with several arts and music. After high school, i studied sociology and business economics. While studying i played also professionally in several bands. After university, i started to work in the airline business, i had several consulting and manager jobs.
I quitted my last job as a manager of an international airport, as i felt the wish inside of me, to show the world how beautiful it is.
How and when did you get into photography?
4 years ago i started with landscapes on my hikes, roundabout since 3 years i started to shoot people and dived into the depth of capturing light.
What does photography mean to you?
Photography for me has some kind of a philosophical approach, the pursuit of light.
I want to show the beauty of people, show that every single person shines for him or herself. Everyone is beautiful.
Photography for me is the conclusion of everything i have learned in my life so far.
It is the reflection of myself onto the world and the reflection of the world, the people on me. All of my pictures mirror and combine both sides into one image. It is a great adventure for me to get in connection with people, locations and light and i am always overwhelmed how beautiful the world and people are.
Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.
For me photography isn’t about gear or technical issues, photography is about the connection of people, the bond that combines us all, because we are all one. I also adore the beauty of light and so it was inescapably to love shooting with natural and available light. I love to use light and shadows in a creative way. My photography is simple as I do not shoot backrounds, I try to capture the nature of the person I portrait.
Where do you get inspiration from?
To be honest, I don’t look for external inspiration. My inspiration is the situation, the chemistry between the person and me, the light we can share.
Think you in advance what you want in the picture?
I try more to create a situation, create a special moment and feeling and capture this.
Studio, on location or both?
I love natural light and onlocation, but also studiolighting in balance
Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
I am a professional photographer but always try to preserve the freedom of an hobbyist
What has been your most memorable session and why?
Every session is very special for me, it is intimate, it is everytime a precious connection of 2 people connecting with light
What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?
The biggest inspiration in my work is what I think and learned about the world and life,
As the world is getting darker, I want to share light and beauty.
Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?
I shoot Nikon, just because my first camera was a Nikon, it could have been a canon too or something else. For me equipment and gear is just a tool and exchangeable, it is no religion for me, if a picture is beautiful no one will ask which camera was used, as it is not about that.
What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?
My advice would be, don’t sell your creativity to money, go your way. Do your pictures, not those who get the most likes. Dont get distracted by gear or more pixels, focus on photography and shoot shoot shoot
What do you think of our new magazine?
I love the magazine, it is vivid and has a very good sense for beauty and aesthetics, which I think is very important in our days. I like the interview part very much, so you get a more intense insight on the personality of the people behind an image
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