Worldwide exhibitions and well-known customers: The Hamburg photographer Daniela Möllenhoff has managed to assert herself with nudes on the highly competitive market of the creative scene. It was a long way before she really learned to love her job – and nude photography poses special challenges.
Daniela Möllenhoff has her photo studio in a red brick building in Harvestehude. With white brick walls, black hanging lamps and vintage furniture, her little realm is reminiscent of her favorite city, New York. All over Manhattan and Soho – even in Times Square – her photographs recently graced 100 digital billboards there for almost two weeks. “I was hoping to see it on site, but unfortunately I have to admire it from a distance,” she says.
Hamburg photographer exhibits in New York
Exhibiting her own works in New York City – that was what she had always wanted. “I started doing exhibitions about five years ago after a curator from London wrote to me”. From then on it went steadily upwards: Galleries in London, New York, Miami and Brussels followed. She was also allowed to shoot the music video “Sunglasses At Night” for Sony Music. But she wasn’t always as passionate about her job as she is today.
“I got into photography through my parents. They quickly realized that I was not made for the office and that I have to do something creative. So I learned the trade. Originally, I didn’t like that at all. ”Nevertheless, after completing her training, she continued to work in her profession for years in Cologne before she came to Hamburg in 2007 and started her own business. During her time in Cologne Möllenhoff already found her niche: In addition to portraits and business photos, which she still takes for private customers, she found nude photography there. “At some point I discovered my love for it and could live it out here.”
Hamburg photographer: The best ideas come from listening to music
The 42-year-old often comes up with creative ideas during her morning ritual. “Since I was 14 years old, I’ve been sitting in a café every morning, reading the newspaper and writing shooting ideas in my notebook. “This is my time of the day,” she says. Often, however, she also gets inspiration from music – or from searching for suitable locations for hours.
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The Hamburg photographer Daniela Möllenhoff has specialized in nude photography. -
Möllenhoff gets inspiration for her photos from music. -
Above all, your pictures should be fun, says photographer Daniela Möllenhoff.
Nude photography poses a special challenge for the photographer: Her pictures are not shown freely everywhere. “In London, some of the visitors to my exhibitions walked past the photos and closed their eyes to the children.” She thinks it is a shame when her photos are subject to censorship. “This suggests that the photos have something disreputable about them. We cannot develop a healthy relationship with our body if it is constantly censored. Our parents and grandparents were much more open about the topic. “
“Too Offensive”: The Challenges of Nude Photography
Möllenhoff already had to experience this in New York: Actually, her photos were supposed to be shown even larger in Times Square as part of another exhibition – but she couldn’t please the operators with the already censored images. The photographs are too offensive. “Even close-ups, shoulders or a knee were already too many!”, She says.
The Hamburg resident must carefully choose which photos to publish on her social media channels – otherwise they will be blocked. “I used to be more offensive in my posts. But in the end my pictures should be fun, ”she says while Cuban music is playing in the background. Not only should the pictures be fun – your customers and their team should also feel comfortable when they are created.
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But that doesn’t mean that her job doesn’t involve hard work. Möllenhoff learned in her training that this is a craft, especially in the area of analog photography. “I consciously take photos without having to touch up a lot afterwards. You rarely recognize the photographer’s handwriting because many use the same filters and editing tools, ”she explains. Möllenhoff is booked for her photographic signature, and her own works are exhibited and purchased worldwide. A Hamburg artist that we should keep an eye on.
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