he likes combining special outfits with locations, you would probably not expect them in

Ralph, the photographer in Loki Photography, has always liked taking pictures. He was given his first camera, when he was a little boy aged 10. It was a point & shoot one, which used traditional analog film. Unfortunately, because getting those developed, was crazy expensive for a 10-year-old, he took most of his 'pictures' without an actual film in the camera, pretending, just for fun.

Then, later, Ralph bought his first ever digital camera, a Canon PowerShot G2. What a brick. Despite  its  limitations,  he  loved  being  able  to

take more pictures and experimenting. In 2010, he got himself a Canon 500D and took his first real steps into photography, which went beyond taking simple snapshots.

Why always Canon? No reason, really, Ralph just feels comfortable with how they feel in his hands, their button layout and menu structures. After a couple of studio shoots, where he tried to learn the basics, he attempted taking his first few pictures outside and found it to be challenging, but also a lot of fun. By that time Ralph had hit his 500D’s limits and wanted something beefier, that could handle low light situations, so he moved up to a 5D MK II and his first L lens, the amazing Canon EF 24-70mm 1:2.8L USM. And what a a difference that made in  terms  of  ergonomics  and  possibilities!  The 

only thing that he still had issues with, was its dead-slow AF system. So when the 5d MKIII came out, Ralph bit the bullet. By that time he had acquired a few more L lenses, like the Canon EF 24-105mm 1:4L IS USM and eventually also got the awesome Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM. His latest lens is the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, and Ralph believes that’s enough…for now.

Primarily he loves taking pictures of women in fancy dress, cosplayers or all kinds of costumes or dresses. Ralph likes combining special outfits with locations, you would probably not expect them in. He gets in touch with his models online in forums or on photography sites, but also quite a lot of friends have joined him in his hobby and posed for him. Ralph also gets requests and organise shoots over Facebook and other sites, which he always take as a compliment, especially if he doesn’t know the person at all.

Since he lives in Luxembourg, a tiny multicultural country, he’s getting to shoot lots of women with their roots in lots of different countries.

Ralph believes, that communication is important in a shoot and he never makes anyone do something or wear an outfit, they do not feel 100% comfortable with. That always results in a very relaxed atmosphere and a fun few hours of shooting. Although he always works with a contract, he double and triple checks his permission to publish each and every picture with his model as he would never post a picture, that would make her feel uncomfortable sharing it with others. That is a question of respect and trust, both ingredients for a successful shoot, too.