Oliver Rindelaub Interview

Photo: @oliver_rindelaub

Model: @cassidyrose_ofthedevilsgarden

Model: @lady.kikki

In the world of photography, every artist has a unique journey that shapes their creative vision and craft. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with an exceptional photographer whose passion for fashion photography began in high school and has evolved into a career filled with captivating editorials. Their journey from commercial photography to the dynamic world of fashion allows them to create more than just images—they build stories, seamlessly blending the art of lighting, composition, and concept. Join us as we explore the creative process, inspirations, and challenges behind the lens with this talented photographer.

1. Can you share the story behind how you first discovered your passion for photography?
   I started photography in high school and took an apprenticeship in a studio for commercial photography. Many years later, in 2017, I found my passion in fashion photography since it is more than simply taking portraits. It adds elements of product photography and aspects of the world we live in.

2. What themes or subjects do you find yourself drawn to the most, and why?
   Fashion editorials are the field I like to explore. It’s not about taking a single shot but building a story and following a concept, which often has a deeper purpose in the designer’s mind. Understanding the concept behind the fashion and translating it into pictures and videos is the real task for the whole team.

3. How would you describe your photographic style, and how has it evolved over time?
   My photographic style for fashion photography is clean, pure, and handmade without a lot of editing or additional after-effects. In the beginning, I used heavier color grading, but now it’s quite reduced, mostly done with lighting on the set. Over the years, I’ve also transitioned from portrait lenses to wide-angle lenses to incorporate more of the location into my fashion stories.

4. What role does lighting play in your work, and how do you approach capturing the perfect light for a shot?
   Lighting is always tied to the concept of the fashion editorial. The mood, location, and story behind the fashion all dictate the lighting. For example, in a recent dark gothic fashion editorial, we used a hallway behind our studio with a big elevator to create a spooky mood. I combined colored LED lights with additional flash for the fashion and models’ faces to achieve the desired effect.

5. Which photographers or artists have influenced your work, and in what ways have they impacted your creative process?
   I admire classic portrait photographers from the 1930s and 1940s, like Edward Steichen, Horst P. Horst, and Irving Penn, who were masters of light. I also love modern classics like Richard Avedon, Herb Ritts, and Albert Watson. And of course, Tim Walker—an absolute genius in fashion photography.

6. Can you walk us through a memorable photoshoot experience that had a lasting impact on your approach to photography?

   
   In 2017, I had my first “real” fashion photoshoot. I worked on a project in a hotel suite with three models and another photographer. We had matching outfits for the models and built a storyline. This photoshoot became my first magazine publication, and I realized how much I loved conceptual shoots. The key lesson: always work with a concept, a moodboard, and a story.

7. How do you balance the technical aspects of photography with the creative vision you want to achieve?
   The more experienced you become with your gear, the more flexibility you have in creating the light that fits your vision. In commercial work, you might have to meet the client’s exact expectations, but in my personal projects, I tend to use reduced gear. Sometimes, even a small speedlight can be enough, depending on the mood you want to create.

8. What challenges have you faced as a photographer, and how have you overcome them?
   The biggest challenge is finding the paid kind of work that I love. Fashion editorials are fantastic to shoot, but finding companies that will fund them is tough. In the meantime, I work with creative people—models, designers, makeup artists, and stylists—for portfolio projects. I also look for sponsors, mostly small businesses, who can’t afford big photo productions. The key is to deliver consistent, high-quality work over many years. Although I’d love for paid projects to grow faster, there’s no skipping the process.

9. How do you stay inspired and push the boundaries of your work when tackling new projects or concepts?
   I’m often drawn to fashion creations that I don’t initially understand. This curiosity—asking myself “why?”—is what drives my photography. Every new project is a puzzle, and I love piecing together elements that I’m familiar with, while always adding one new, unexplored ingredient.

10. What advice would you give to aspiring photographers who are just starting out in the industry?
    If I knew the recipe for success in the fashion industry, I’d gladly share it. But my advice to beginners is to persist. In my experience, it takes about three years to specialize in any field. Focus on your favorite area, like fashion, and after three years, decide if you want to continue or explore a new path in photography.

Conclusion:

Through dedication and a deep connection to fashion and storytelling, this photographer has mastered the delicate balance between technical precision and creative expression. From the subtle play of light to the artful collaboration with designers, their work consistently pushes boundaries and invites audiences into a world of visual storytelling. As we conclude, we are left inspired by their commitment to the craft and the thoughtful advice they offer to aspiring photographers—persist, explore, and always seek to understand the "why" behind every shot.