ON THE GO LIFESTYLE
LIFESTYLE WITH CAROLIN UNRATH
Thanks for joining us, we are excited to have you here. Where you are currently based?
I’m from the southern part of Germany and I’m currently based in Munich and Salzburg.
When did your passion for photography start?
I started as a musician. From 2011-2014 I had the chance to travel a lot due to international concert tours. We mainly slept in guest families back then and so we got in touch with very different cultures. I wanted to capture the memories and stared out with documentary photography. During my studies of fine-arts and multimedia in Munich, I started with editorial and travel photography, did my first commercial jobs in the outdoor industry and also got in touch with Leica. Then my professional journey started, and the first big clients came along.
What body of work are you currently working on and how has COVID impacted your work?
I’m currently working on some personal documentary projects as well as on commercial campaigns I get booked for.
I traveled less and I worked mostly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. But I hope I can work more internationally soon again. And of course, it was somehow super stressful, due to being even more spontaneous in an already super spontaneous industry.
We see you have been part of the Redbull projects how do you get involved and how did you find the experience?
Yes correct. I just won the Lifestyle Category of Redbull Illume, the biggest Photo price in action sports Photography. I’ve already worked with well-known brands from the outdoor industry before, such as Merrell, LaMunt, POC, ON Running, The North Face…and then I just tried and submitted some pictures of a documentary surf sports series at Redbull Illume, that’s how I got involved.
And of course, it helps when I do the same sports by myself as well, such as skiing, mountaineering and cycling, so it’s basically combing my work with what I love.
How would you describe your photography style?
My photography style is full of colors and contrasts, as well as black and white photography. My body of work includes Lifestyle, Editorial, Sports and Documentary Photography.
Where do you pull your inspiration from?
My Inspiration comes from a lot of different sources. I love to get inspired by other artists as well as athletes. I guess what inspires me in one sentence is, when someone does something and you can feel one’s passion. No matter if the person is cooking, creating or doing sports. When the passion comes through, I’m totally in. And of course, I also look on Instagram to find new inspiring work of other artists.
We love your current body of work, where are they taken?
80% of my pictures are taken on location, means in different locations, in- and outdoor. Also, on top of mountains and in high alpine terrain. 20% of my pictures are shot in a classical photo studio.
How would you describe your style? and what tips would you give to a up and coming photographer/creative?
Modern and Natural. I don’t over edit my pictures and I love to keep things how they happened to be or how they took place originally.
My advice is to always take your time to work things out, as photography is somehow art in my opinion and art takes time. Try to use different photo techniques and try out and experiment with different lightning conditions. Start photographing the people around you and you will see that others will get in touch with you soon. Do little challenges, like photographing interesting things on the way to your gym or taking different portraits from one single person over a period of time. And of course, use all the positive possibilities social media brings and go out and connect with people from the industry.
If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?
It would be a 24-70mm lens. It maybe sounds boring to some people, and I also love my primes and especially my 35mm lens, but the 24-70 is a perfect allrounder in my opinion, because I can definitely capture anything from a lifestyle commercial campaign to mountain layers on the far horizon if I’m allowed to bring only one lens.
What has been your most memorable assignment and why?
My assignment for Merrell, for the Merrell ZION Campaign about a hiking shoe. I traveled to Namibia for a week and had to take pictures during sunrise and sunset while exploring the nature and enjoying the sunset on safaris. I love Africa and its wonderful light, the people and culture and the colors of nature. That’s why this assignment is under the top 3 of mine.
Where would be your dream destination assignment?
Really hard to tell, but I think Iceland and Patagonia.
What is your favourite image you have shot recently? Can you describe its creation in regard to location, lighting, composition etc., also your thoughts when creating the image and what it means to you?
One of my Images from Mallorca. The Image is about two people, standing at the beach and staring at the still horizon in the morning. I’ve been to the beach really early this morning and just watched some people at the beach. These two were standing straight in front of me and that’s why I captured them on my Leica M6. Nothing fancy and outstanding about the story and the lightning, but it turned out as one of my favourite picture from my last personal documentary projects. I feels to me like you are also looking at the endless horizon and quickly forget everything around you.
Can you share with us a story about your favourite shot from this collection you are sharing with us?
When I do personal projects I really love to capture travel documentary related projects. I went on the island of Mallorca a few times already and I really love the Mediterranean culture there. I don’t talk about parties and stuff for what Mallorca is also famous, but even more about the wonderful and unique landscape, turquoise blue bays with clear water, creative local people, adorable coffees well located in beautiful cities and just an easy authentic vibe.
I tried to capture my own view of Mallorca, got in touch with some locals and I think it’s just the beginning of telling even more stories from the Island.
