Holger Nitschke

Oct 16, 2022

Holger is a self-taught German photographer who works at the intersection between fashion and portraiture photography. Working with simple elements and available light, Holger creates artistic and timeless images that are creative and very evocative.

First of all thank you very much for your contribution to our project. Can you please introduce yourself for us?

Hello! I’m Holger Nitschke, a self-taught Photographer with main focus on people, actors, musicians, portrait and fashion. I’m from Germany and actually based near Oldenburg / LowerSaxony which is near the northern coast. I do photography as a sideline and creative outcome to my regular work which is in the Aircraft Industry (I’m a quality inspector at Airbus).

How did you start in photography?

I first got in touch with photography back in 2004. It all started while taking live pictures at concerts. A leader of a small independent band asked me to shoot some bandphotos for his new album and so it all began.

Your work is an intersection between fashion and portraiture photography, is this correct or how would you describe it?

Yes, you’re right! It’s nice to capture a beautiful and/or interesting face but non-casual fashion underlines the mood for me. In a way and manner I’m seeking for the past, trying to create timeless and moody images with little equipment. I love to act spontaneous and use mostly available light when I shoot outdoor on location. Analogue photography showed me that I can take the same pictures of my style without any computer or other digital tools. I love to create real images (the ones on paper *laugh*) instead of just only soulless digital data.

What inspires your work in general?

There are so many great and inspirational films and music beyond the mainstream that I love to explore and which influence my style. On the second side I love to explore work from other photographers and fashion. In the last years my main influence are the photographic works from the last century, beginning in the 20’s and ending somewhere in the 80’s. My taste for pictures and sounds is constantly changing and so I get new inspiration nearly every day.

Who are your favourite photographers / artists?

Helmut Newton, Jean Loup Sieff, Paolo Roversi and Peter Lindbergh for example.

What is your favourite photobook?

It’s hard to decide between Helmut Newton’s ‘Sumo’ and Paolo Roversi’s ‘Dior Images’.