German Photographer Julia Blank gives us insight into the emotions and intentions behind her work.

FMCS: Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your work. How come you decided to be a photographer?

Julia: I am class of 1978, and 28 years of age. For a while I tried to find an occupation, which would fit me, in which I could see myself working for quite some time. So after college in the ‘we-shank-scientific direction’ I worked as a foreign trade purchaser for 2 years.

I finally realized how unhappy and unsatisfied I was in this occupation, and changed my life, not yet sure where this decision would lead me. It was a difficult time. I was only 22 years old and still had to find my direction in life which was frustrating as I have always been a bit of a perfectionist.

However after a photo session I did with a friend just for fun, it soon became clear where my interests lay…

…”Photography! That could be it, I thought” and enrolled on a practical course with a fashion photographer. This led to one year of training at the Technical High School for photography in Stuttgart.

After my studies I shortly started working with a renowned advertising photographer called Peer Brecht in Stuttgart before I decided to go it alone and work for myself..

No resting eye and only overflowing thoughts.

FMCS: Where do you currently live and work? How is the art scene in your location, Germany coming along?

Julia: I live and work in Stuttgart. I’ve learned to appreciate Stuttgart very much. The city has a lot to offer – it’s developing steadily on a daily basis which is great.

But for me the future lies in networking globally and not being tied to a location. I am about to develop a network with some commercial artists and photographers. This network means that we are closer together, and can work on ideas tightly.

This has always been our dream. It helps a lot not having to work completely by ones self all the time.

FMCS: What motivates you?

Julia: I don’t want to repeat the same things as many have done before me, and I am also not a woman of many words, therefore I would describe my work in gladly philosophical keywords, and why I love it…

FMCS: The images you create for your clients are very strong and show powerful pictures of women, what are the artistic intentions within your work?

Julia: I am reluctant to present anything else but strong women: that’s the way I see it. For me it is very important to tell a story in each picture. Or capture something invisible visible beneath the surface.

I believe my work to be very conceptional.

FMCS: Is it difficult for you to compromise on the commercial aspects and needs of the photos you shoot for your clients?

There is art on the one hand and, making a living on the other hand. Even in remittance work I try to add my own creative interpretation. In my opinion everything during the shootings, the atmosphere, the relationship to the models etc… adds to the final creation. In a sense it helps to make the invisible visible.

FMCS: What is your current project about?

Julia: I try to constantly photograph free work. Only by doing this one can create the reality for ones self before showing it to the client.

One of my favorite projects is the bottle pictures (above). Actually they should work without an explanation. The truth is in the eye of the beholder.

Whoever identifies a vodka bottle, I would imagine is pretty close to the truth.

FMCS: How about past exhibitions? Is there any exhibition coming up?

Julia: So far I’ve had no exhibitions. I must honestly say that I am no fan of exhibitions.

I do not enjoy exhibiting myself, and my photos are exhibited on the internet on a daily basis. This is the largest exhibition possible, and it is modern and flexible. However I do like the exhibitions of renowned artists, who present a life’s work. I haven’t created a work of a lifetime yet.

FMCS: Who and/or what is your source of inspiration?

Julia: My infinite perfectionism in the best sense, and my urge to create lasting works. My desire to human proximity and intensive co-operation.

My goal in front of my eyes, that is constantly changing and developing.

To be allowed to work in this profession fills me with gratitude. A fascinating mixture of proximity and distance of humanity, and hardship of this occupation in everyday life.

The single fighter nature that again, and again, may return to itself after having worked in a team. Life is always different to how we’ve planned it, and I am curious about my vocational future.

There is no easy way in this life, but always the possibility to take it in one step further.

FMCS: Thank you & good luck Julia!

Julia: Thanks for the interview and great site!

SEE MORE OF JULIA’S WORK! VISIT HER SITE…

JULIA BLANK WEB SITE
contact@juliablank.com

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