Jürgen Marquardt feat. Katja

In today's Editor's Choice, we're not only showing you photos from one shooting of the same photographer and models, but rather from several shootings they have had together. Jürgen and Katja have been working together since 2012, hence it was hard to pick favourites - so why not feature photos from multiple shoots? So let us take you on a journey through time - starting with pictures from 2012 until 2020!

The Ideas

"Katja and I usually decide spontaneously about the type and location of the respective shoots. So far we have had eleven shootings together. The shooting ideas usually come up at our breakfast meetings, sometimes she comes to me in Mettmann (Germany), sometimes I drive to her in Cologne (Germany), but then I always have my camera with me! It is not uncommon for great pictures to be taken at the shoots."

The Locations

"The locations are proposed and agreed by both of us, there is 100% agreement. In addition to the locations in and around Dusseldorf, Schloss Benrath, Medienhafen and Königsallee, a villa in Lantz'schen Park and the Hermes paper factory, which has unfortunately been demolished in the meantime, have served us well. In addition, we have shorted in other locations such as a waterfall in North Rhine-Westphalia (insider tip), my former Loft Maisonnette Studio in Mettmann, a moated castle in Hamm and several shoots in the Cologne area."

2012

The Model

"Katja and I met in 2012 during our first shoot at Schloss Benrath in Düsseldorf. As already mentioned, she is a lawyer specializing in European law and works and lives in Cologne. I have rarely met someone as cheerful as Katja is."

The Equipment

"I have been working exclusively with Nikon since I started my own business in 2007, first with a D700, and for several years with the D5. Regarding any lenses, I have many from Nikon: 12-24mm to 24-70mm to 70-200mm f2.8 (weddings). In the meantime, I am in the portrait area with the Sigma Art lenses 35mm f1.4, 50mm f.14, 85mm f1.4 and at weddings I like to go with the Sigma 105mm f2.8.
Regarding lighting, I work with the Rollei's Freeze 6, both indoors and outdoors, but wherever possible with available light."

2013

2014

2015

Why ZZ Loves It

We think it's just fantastic for two artists to find each other and to work and be creative together. Jurgen and Katja have been working together for eight years and we think it's so much fun to look at the photos and see how both have developed as humans and artists. We often hear from photographers that they cringe when seeing some of their first photos and that they are so much happier with the quality of their work as it is today. The same counts for models - many say they didn't know how to pose, that they were shy or simply didn't know what to do in front of the camera.
We think it is so important to look at your first photos to see how far you have come. If it is one advice, photographers give newcomers when we interview them, it's to take as many photos as possible and just practice. So we challenge you to look at some of your first photos and see how much you have evolved and developed your skills through the years! Happy reminiscing!!