What defines good photography?
For the past 30 years, I have shared my passion for photography in various positions such as picture editor for newspapers and magazines, curator and educator, observing the visual world with a critical eye.
I regularly collaborate with brands, advertising agencies, corporate publishers, photo galleries, cultural institutions and photographers - showing them a critical approach on how to transform an image into a relevant one and to tell a story from a new and engaging perspective.
In a world of growing disinformation, deep fake and AI- generated content, there has never been a greater demand for authenticity in photography. The focus of my work is to raise awareness for the «good» photograph and a critical examination of «image worlds» and «image effects». My aim is to help creators to step away from stereotypes and head towards one's own signature and to develop it further.
I regularly participate as jury member for photography competitions, I am also a long-standing portfolio-review expert.
For many years I have been teaching photography classes about idea development, curation, editing and storytelling, readability and relevancy. Art history and the history of photography are new additions to my curriculum.
Together with MAGNUM PHOTOS as my most important client in Switzerland, I have launched two major projects: one in St. Moritz and one with the Federal Government in Bern.
New projects to be published soon.
2018 – | Self-Employed Photo Editor, Curator, Teacher, Lecturer |
2018 – 2023 | Cultural Representative MAGNUM PHOTOS |
2012 – 2017 | Head of Photography «Basler Zeitung», Basel - Responsible for establishing and developing the operative and editorial photo concept, personnel management and responsible for financial controlling |
2005 – 2012 | Photo Editor «Basler Zeitung», Basel - Optimization and development of the visual appearance, evaluation and selection of photo material, visualisation, implementation and composition, briefing of photographers, selection and supervision of trainees, layout consulting |
2003 – 2004 | Photo Editor «Infel», Corporate Publishing Agency, Zurich - Construction of photo department in connection with the introduction of a modern photographic language, development of photographic concepts, construction and maintenance of a network of photographers |
1999 – 2003 | Photo Editor «Berner Zeitung», Bern |
1999 – 2001 | Workshops and Seminar Photo Editing at MAZ, Swiss School of Journalism, Lucerne |
1996 – 1998 | Photo Editor, Photographer and Stylist Ringier, Zurich |
1992 – 1995 | Apprenticeship as Photographer, Zurich |
1987 – 1991 | Literary High School, Matura Typus B, Baden |
2024 | Introduction and Artist Talk with Florian Bachmann on his exhibition «Lieux de Mémoire» at Max-Frisch Bad, Zurich |
2023 | Artist Talks «Swiss Press Photo» with photographers Karin Hofer/NZZ, Alex Kühni und Roland Schmid at Bern Historical Museum. |
2023 | Guided tour at Federal Palace on August 1st on SESSION by MAGNUM PHOTOS, exclusive insight, introduction and Q&A on the documentary film. |
2023 | «Professional talk about wildlife photography» What makes a good photograph? What criteria do I use to evaluate an image? Through the exhibition with Levi Fitze and Roman Willi «Wildlife Photographer of the Year», Naturhistorisches Museum Basel. |
2022 – | True Picture by Manuel Bauer (truepicture.org/nomination) Nomination Committee for Photojournalists. |
2022 – 2023 | Development and implementation of the workshop: «Image world and image effect of Zürcher Kantonalbank» Zurich |
2022 | Panel Discussion: Near. x POOL at OnCurating Project Space Zurich on work in progress with Anna Konstantinova the curator of Work in Progress Ver.2 as well as near members Claudia Schildknecht and Anna-Tia Buss. |
2022 | Visual discourse - from two different angles: photographer and picture editor with Anne Gabriel-Jürgens for Netzhdk at Toni Areal, Zurich |
2021 – 2024 | Project Manager/Curator for SESSION/LIVELAB Bern by MAGNUM photographers Alex Webb, Newsha Tavakolian, Cristina de Middel & Alex Majoli in collaboration with Reto Caduff and with the Parliamentary Services and the Federal Government in Bern for the 175th anniversary of the Federal Constitution. |
2021 – 2022 | Curator of the MAGNUM PHOTOS exhibition «Ski Runs & Champagne Dreams» at the St. Moritz Design Gallery in the Serletta car park from December 2021 until the end of May 2022. Guided tours by the curator. |
2021 – 2022 | Development and implementation of the workshop: «Image world and image effect of EWZ Zurich» with photographer Jens Krauer. |
2021 | Jury member of the annual international Verzasca Foto Award «Nera di Verzasca 2021». Portfolio Review at Verzasca Foto Festival |
2021 | Development and implementation of the workshop: «Image world and image effect of the Swiss parliament» with photographer Hansjörg Walter for Parliamentary Services, Bern |
2021 | Research of feasibility of two ideas for illustrating the Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report 2021 for Bank Julius Baer in collaboration with Christian Dietrich, KLAR für Marken and Christopher Anderson/MAGNUM PHOTOS |
2020 – 2021 | Collaboration with photographer Anne Gabriel-Jürgens on her book «ZOE». |
2020 – 2021 | Artist Talk in the context of the exhibition «Berge bleichen» by photographer Sandro Livio Straube at Galerie 94, and artist talk with photographer Kostas Maros in the context of the exhibition «Cicatrice» at Galerie 94, Baden. |
2020 | Portfolio Reviews at Verzasca Foto Festival and Foto Festival Lenzburg. |
2020 | Photography discourses with near.li, «crit group #2» with graphic designers Samuel Wolf and Ann Griffin, Zurich. |
2020 | Image Editing and Image Selection accompanying brochure «Return to Sender» for the exhibition of Pedro Reyes at Tinguely Museum, Basel. |
2020 | Portfolio Review & Workshop «Documentary Photography & Storytelling» with photographer Christian Bobst and Workshop «Image Review Street Photography» with photographer Jens Krauer at photoSCHWEIZ 20, Zurich. |
2020 | Picture Editor for Matthias Mächler, The Magaziner, for CORE Magazine, research for heartpeace of the magazine, «Cabaret Bizarre» by photographer Kostas Maros. |
2019 – 2022 | Collaboration with Fabrizio D'Aloisio, Head of Corporate Communications St. Moritz Tourism, on his book «Car Guys», St. Moritz. Collaboration with MAGNUM PHOTOS and St. Moritz Tourism. |
2019 | Portfolio Review & Seminar «Image Selection 2.0» IPFO International Photo Festival, Olten. |
2019 | Portfolio Review & Seminar «Image Selection 2.0» Organisation of the Workshop with MAGNUM photographer Carl de Keyzer at photoSCHWEIZ 19, Zurich. |
2018 | Organization of the exhibition of MAGNUM photographer Jonas Bendiksen «The Last Testament & Home» and Artist talk with Frank Bodin, President of ADC at the Art Directors Club Switzerland Gallery, Zurich. |
2018 | Organization of the artist talk with MAGNUM photographer Paolo Pellegrin and Christian Brändle, director of Museum of Design, in the context of his exhibition «Antarctica» at Bildhalle, Zurich. |
2017 – | Official guide at «Swiss Press Photo & World Press Photo» exhibitions at Swiss National Museum, Zurich. |
2017 | Panel Discussion «The Power of the Image» by Farner Consulting with photographer Christian Bobst and CCO Philipp Skrabal, Farner Consulting, Zurich. |
2017 | Radiotalk by Radio X, Basel, Photography «yesterday, today and tomorrow» with Diego Stampa, gallery owner. Andri Pol, photographer. Peter Herzog, Fondation Herzog. Esther Hunziker, artist - moderator: Danielle Bürgin, Radio X, Basel. |
2014 – 2017 | Collaboration with Romano Zerbini, Photobastei, Zurich. |
2012 | Project supervisor, photo research, selection and coordination for regularly image-column «Image on Sunday» at Basler Zeitung, alternately texts by cultural journalist Daniele Muscionico, Zurich and Peter Herzog, Fondation Herzog, Basel. |
2011 | Masterclass «Editing and Readability of Photography» Photography Academy by Bank Julius Baer and Verbier Festival in cooperation with Romano Zerbini and Ferit Kuyas, Zurich. |
2008 – 2009 | Exhibition «Swiss Art Awards», ART Basel, Swiss competition for art and art mediation initiated by the Federal Department of Culture (BAK) - Presentation of the dossier photo editing: Cultural supplement «Basler Zeitung» photography mediation, Basel. |
2008 | Project supervisor, concept and coordinator for supporting program, «Swiss Photo Award» «Photography – Art product?» a discussion on photography, art mediation and art criticism with Diego Stampa, Sabine Schaschl, Barbara Basting, Peter Geimer. Presentation: Jörg Huber, ITH, Zurich. |
2006 | Project supervisor, concept and coordinator for the exhibition «Minutes in the spotlight» by photographer Christian Flierl, about the «Swiss national soccer team of the homeless at the WM Goteborg/Sweden» in public space, Zurich. |
2004 – 2006 | Organization and production, media work for «Videosafari 2005» art project in cooperation with Roman Weber, SLOMO Video’n’Visions, Zurich. |
2023 | Helsinki Photo Festival, theme «Courage», Helsinki |
2022 | «Swiss Press Photo Award», Bern |
2020 | HF Photography, School of design, Zurich, External Examiner, diploma course |
2017 | «Swiss Photo Award» in category Reportage, Zurich |
2014 | «Swiss Photo Award» in category Editorial, Zurich |
2012 – | HF Photography, School of design, St. Gall, External Examiner, diploma course and undergraduate course |
2012 | F+F, School for art and media design, Zurich, External Examiner, diploma course |
2001 – 2015 | Nwfp Nachwuchsförderpreis, Young Talent Award for photography by vfg, Zurich (2001/2007/2015) |
2021 – | SAE Institute Zurich, Course «Content Creation (Cross Media)», Editing & Storytelling - new Course «Photography» Art History and the History of Photography |
2019 – | HF Photography, School of Design, Bern, Portfolio Review |
2019 – | HF Photography and Masterclass, Zentrum Bildung, Baden, Portfolio |
2019 | HF Photography, School of Design, Zurich, Image Review on Experimental Photography |
2012 – | HF Photography, School of Design, St. Gall, Photo Editing, Editing & Storytelling |
2008 – 2012 | GAF, Group of self-taught photographers Various workshops, Zurich, Photo Editing and Editorial Photography, Concept and Composition, Reportage and Portrait |
2006 – 2009 | MAZ, Swiss School of Journalism, Lucerne, Photo Editing |