SIYU personal

Born in Lucerne in 1969, Caroline originally trained as a 3D poly designer. After further training at SPRI in Zurich and the MAZ media training centre, Caroline began her professional career in 2017 with an unusual combination of freelance photography and journalism. Today, she produces photo reports, portraits and images for websites and magazines. She has been a partner photographer for Keystone-SDA since 2022.
 
What does photography mean to you? For me, photography is more than just a craft. A successful image is simple and touching. With my images, I want to capture the essence and express the uniqueness of people, nature or everyday life. I let mindfulness, empathy and intuition flow into my work.

When does a picture touch you and what does it take to achieve that? Personally, a picture touches me when I can look at it for a long time and immerse myself in it. To create such a picture, sometimes it is enough to be in the right place at the right time, with the right light.
 
What motivated you as a photographer to train as a journalist? When I was 15, I knocked on the door of the local photographer, who told me that the profession was not for girls. So I trained as a 3D poly designer and thus learned a different creative profession (at that time, interior decorator). I taught myself photography and took courses at MAZ to learn the tools of the trade for writing. This allows me to tell stories in a variety of ways. By combining both activities, I can live out my creativity and unite both passions.
 
What is the advantage of this combination? The advantage is that I can tell stories both visually and in writing. This creates a complete work. As a result, content can be made more versatile and profound. I coordinate images and texts and let them take effect. 
 
You specialise in photojournalism. What fascinates you about it? What fascinates me is that photojournalism allows me to tell a story in an immediate and emotional way. Images allow you to portray people, their professions, hobbies and lives in an authentic and vivid way. I like to capture moments that touch the viewer and give insight into people's passions. This creates the opportunity to make the diversity and depth of human experiences visible and thus establish a connection between people.
 
Are there any photo reports that were particularly exciting for you? The report with large animal veterinarian Rhea Baggenstos from Merlischachen remains unforgettable. I accompanied her for three half-days through the stables and photographed her at work. It was exciting to gain an insight into Rhea's demanding daily routine. I photographed a spontaneous hoof operation, as well as ultrasound examinations on water buffaloes. No two days were the same and we never knew what to expect. I exhibited the pictures at photoSchweiz 24.

Another exciting project was the reportage on urban explorer and photographer Oliver Gutfleisch, whom I was allowed to accompany to a lost place for a reportage. Here, too, we didn't know what to expect inside the weathered house. The stable shoes and coats were still behind the front door, as if the residents had taken them off only yesterday. Cobwebs adorned the slightly eerie scene.
 
What does self-employment mean to you? For me, self-employment means having the freedom to implement my own ideas. It's nice to be independent, to make decisions and to authentically live out my passion for photography and writing. Self-employment gives me the opportunity to design projects according to my own ideas and to constantly develop myself further. I also appreciate the freedom to plan my own time.
 
Why did you become a member of SIYU? What are your expectations of the association? I became a member of SIYU because I value the community and the exchange with other professionals. I see it as an opportunity to access further training opportunities, network with like-minded people and gain a certain visibility.