Jürgen Teller

Jürgen Teller is a famous German photographer, known for his shocking style, in which he often goes beyond the generally accepted framework of beauty. He has collaborated with publications such as Vogue, Purple, i-D, and has shot ad campaigns for Céline, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Adidas, and Vivienne Westwood.

The iconic photographer Jürgen Teller is known for portraits shot in an intentionally “random” manner. His “amateur” aesthetics had a huge impact on fashion photography. Teller is not at all interested in where the line is between high art and craft, or even between art and “not art”.

The question is what is considered quality work. For a German artist in the first place – the ability to capture the very essence of the heroes: their soul, mood and emotions, their temperament and charisma. As the last one is the quality of the shooting itself. He moved to London in the mid-80s after studying at the Munich School of Photography, Jürgen Teller began his career by filming for music magazines – it was through the prism of the rock scene that he perceived both fashion and art.

Intentionally “random” photographs of Jürgen Teller are created exactly as it seems to the viewer – quickly and unexpectedly. The photographer takes two cameras at once, so as not to wait for a pause between flashes and not to lose precious “live” moments. To establish personal contact with the model, he needs for the maximum honesty of photography, Teller uses as few equipment as possible and a minimum of people. Teller removes almost intuitively, without thinking through every step, and painstaking work begins already at the selection stage.

Jurgen Teller shot many rock stars, famous actresses and top models, invariably showing their unique image, lively and liberated. In order not to miss the situation in which the character of a person will reveal itself in all unpredictability, the artist is always armed with a camera.

Jürgen Teller took off his first serious project at the age of 35, when during the year he photographed all the girls who came to his studio, located on a small street in West London, to do model photo tests. Throughout the year (from 1998 to 1999), agencies send girls to him for photo tests, and Jürgen removed each at the door of his studio, like at the door to a new life.

September 1, 1999 the book “Jourgen Teller. Go-Sees” – 470 pages of photos of English girls who dreamed of a serious career as a super-model! 470 pages of unfulfilled hopes. A kind of sociological study, made in the form of a typology, uniting all the participants in this spontaneous photo project together, as well as those false hopes that were the purpose of their visit to the photographer. It was this project that glorified young Jürgen Teller and transferred it from the category of a photographer taking model tests to the category of “modern artist”.

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Elena KERINA

PR specialist, model

How did you come to the direction of PR and

advertising?

This is my second degree, I just wanted to go to school. I was well aware that I was versed in various fields, but I knew almost nothing about how advertising works. Then I thought, I want to know this and understand this field. I ended up being so fascinated by it that I graduated with honors and am already doing advertising as my job.

You're constantly evolving in different directions, is there something you want to do that you're not ready to do yet?

I think I've tried most of the things I've been interested in. Something suited me, something remained a skill. I might want to learn how to sew and design clothes, but I just have ideas for now.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I have many achievements in different directions: I am a unique specialist, I develop in the things that interest me, I know most of my idols, I saw the countries that I wanted to see. But the main achievement is the acceptance of myself, as I am. I am glad that I achieved this, that I am in harmony with myself.

How not to lose yourself while searching for your vocation?

Allowing yourself to try and make mistakes is normal. Always remember that vocation, work, hobbies are all parts of you, not the other way around. Accept yourself and remember who you are and you won't get lost.

You've been modeling for about a year, but you've already taken part in over 70 shoots, has it been difficult for you?

It was a big misconception to think it was easy. But it's often mentally and physically challenging. Any shoot is a team effort, it requires preparation. Sometimes a beautiful shot can cost your health, but I love it all.

Who is your favorite model and why?

I've never been into fashion, but I do have a favorite model, Iman. I think she's beautiful. She has an amazing, memorable stride, and she excels at presenting images, making it so easy, but with a kind of mystery. Iman is charming, intelligent and beautiful, I admire her as a model and as a person.

What inspires you in your work and in your various endeavors?

In different areas, I have my own examples and people who inspire me. But I never know where inspiration will come from, because it could be anything.

What are your plans for the next five years?

Lately I feel like everything around me and inside me is changing, and it definitely doesn't lend itself to planning. It's hard for me to answer this question, but I plan to enjoy life, do what I like, and time will tell how it will really be.