My approach to personal work is not so far away from the very beginning of my photographic life: It´s to do detective work. Not as a police officer but as a photographer. I´m always interested in learning as much as possible about the subject I´m taking pictures of. Jim Goldberg once said:
"The photograph is kind
of a proof - a proof that I actually met these people, that they actually have lives, and
that they´re worth considering. When I take a photograph, I use film and
I make contacts in order to look at them - "proofs". And it´s a really interesting play on the word - the image is proof."
I
feel quite comfortable with these words. In a way I try to combine
artistic and journalistic work. At least that´s what I consider to be my way. I think the photographer I admire most at the moment is Taryn Simon. She´s the most consequential photographer I know. But also Jim Goldberg, Adam Broomberg & Oliver Chanarin, Roe Ethrdige and Richard Mosse have a big influence on me.
I´m kind of addicted to photobooks. There are some priceless sources of inspiration. But generally I´m mostly inspired by passionate people and what they have to say.