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© Andreas Könitzer
Andrea Könitzer
Bern-based photographer Andrea Könitzer (1966) has been working as a freelance graphic designer since 1999. From 2019 to 2022, he entered the world of professional photography by training as a photographer at the Bern and Biel School of Design. Könitzer has also been working as a photographer in the fields of portraiture, reportage, environmental portraits, editorial and landscape architecture for around two years.
Why did you train as a photographer while still a graphic designer? Even as a teenager, I was fascinated by photography and never let go. I took thousands of pictures, sharpened my eye and developed my technique. Although many co-amateurs and professionals recognised my talent, I wasn't yet where I wanted to be. I needed proper training for that. What does photography mean to you? Photography is the art form in which I can best express myself. In my 30 years as a graphic designer, I have always set out to capture and communicate what moves me with images I have created myself. Portrait and reportage photography in particular always inspire me. Getting in touch with different people, working with them, finding out their stories and using my camera to get the most accurate picture possible of these stories in order to tell them with my pictures. Your website says ‘What you see is NOT what you get’. What do you mean by that? Many images are limited to conveying visual information. A picture should be more - it should tell stories. As an experienced graphic designer, I specialise in developing ideas and implementing them. I go beyond photography and bring my knowledge to the conceptualisation to ensure that each image has a deeper meaning.
Instead of family photos, you offer generational shoots - specifically father-son shoots. Why do you do this? In a discussion, it was once said: ‘Men do too little to care for their brood and what little they do, they do wrong.’ I don't know that about my son. My parents didn't show me how to do it and it's also unknown in my environment. That's why it occurred to me - why not create positive father-son images?
Do you also work on the subject of ‘environmental portraits’? The portraits tell stories about people. Their immediate surroundings give the viewer an insight into where these people live, what they do and who they are. I still don't know a German term for ‘environmental portraits’.
One of your series is called ‘Faces of Tel Aviv’. What is the series about? The series is dedicated to the impressive diversity of Tel Aviv's residents. The city is a melting pot, characterised by extraordinary diversity and dynamism. I wanted to capture both with this work. The series was created between 2014 and 2019. Tel Aviv has a special meaning for me because it is my city. I spent a long time there with my father as a teenager and knew immediately that I belonged there. I was impressed by the openness and curiosity of the people, the intense conversations and the energetic atmosphere. I made close friends there and love the culinary diversity. What advice would you give to young professional photographers? If you want to support a family, find something else. Why are you a member of SIYU? Because most of my colleagues are members. I think it's great how the association stands up for my interests.