There are things that have been around us for so long that we hardly notice them anymore. The scent of hay in summer. The creaking of old wooden beams. A traditional bodice that used to hang in Grandma’s wardrobe. Linen that smells of sunshine.
For me, that’s home. And the longer I thought about it, the clearer it became to me: this home can be incredibly sensual.
That’s how my new project came about: ‘Home. Skin. Hay.’
What it’s all about
Bavarian tradition and boudoir – at first glance, that sounds like a contradiction. On the one hand, folk festivals, customs and Sunday best. On the other, lace, bare skin and intimacy.
But for me, it is precisely this tension that makes it so special. Traditional dress has always been an expression of femininity, pride and self-confidence. A laced bodice emphasises the silhouette, whilst a blouse with a lace trim plays on what it reveals and conceals. I want to take these elements out of their usual context and reinterpret them: in a modern, aesthetic way and with great respect.
What it won’t be: a fancy dress costume, a cliché or a ‘sexy dirndl’ from a carnival shop. For me, it’s all about authenticity – about materials, light and women who feel comfortable in their own skin and with their heritage.
Visual language
The venue: the Heustadl-style loft
The photos are taken in my loft: old wooden beams, rustic planks, hay, warm light streaming through the cracks in narrow strips. A room that smells of summer and history – and which is perfect for this project.
The materials
- Traditional costume elements: bodices, dirndl blouses, aprons, shawls, Haferl shoes or simply an old family heirloom
- Natural materials: coarse linen, loden, knitwear, wool, hay and wood
- Contrast: delicate lace, sheer lingerie, bare shoulders
- Details: Grandma’s rosary, a hairband, a flower in her plait, a jug of fresh water
You’re welcome to bring your own items – heirlooms in particular often tell the most wonderful stories. I’ll also provide some items myself.
The Light
Warm, directional raking light that looks as though it’s streaming through the door of a hay barn in the late afternoon. Plenty of shade, golden highlights, dusty air in which the light dances. The colours are muted and warm: hay gold, linen white, loden green and deep wood brown.
The steps
As always, you decide how much you want to reveal. From wearing a bodice and blouse, to a covered nude in the hay, to an artistic nude in soft lighting – anything is possible, nothing is compulsory. We’ll discuss your boundaries in detail during our preliminary consultation.
Who I'm looking for
I’m looking for women aged 18 and over who’d like to be part of this project. You don’t need to be a model, own a traditional costume or have any experience in front of the camera. What matters is curiosity and a desire to try something new.
I am particularly pleased about:
- Women from the region who have a connection to tradition and their homeland – or who would like to play on precisely that
- Women of all ages and body types
- Women who would like to bring along an heirloom and tell its story
How it works
- Get in touch via the contact form, using the keyword “Heimat. Haut. Heu.”, and tell me briefly what appeals to you about the project.
- We’ll have a quiet chat – about your ideas, your limits and the pieces you might like to bring along.
- The photo shoot will take place in the loft, with plenty of time to settle in. If you’d like, my wife can be there the whole time.
- You’ll receive your photos in a private gallery and can decide for yourself which ones you’d like to include in the project.
Some of the slots will be allocated as a free project on a TFP basis – that is, with no fee payable by either party, subject to a clear written agreement. Anyone who would prefer to be photographed in a completely private setting can also book the project as a regular photoshoot. We will discuss the exact terms and conditions during the preliminary consultation.
What happens to the pictures
Selected photographs – only with your express, written consent – will form part of a photo story on my website. Perhaps this might even lead to a small exhibition or a book. You decide for each individual photograph whether it is shown, with or without your face, and with or without your name.
Fancy joining in?
If you found yourself smiling whilst reading this, or thought, ‘That’s right up my street’ – then do drop me a line. There’s no obligation. I’m looking forward to hearing your idea, your story and perhaps seeing your grandmother’s bodice.
Real. Sensual. Unapologetically You.
Apply for the project · Read the TFP agreement · View photo stories