CHRISTOPH GROTHGAR photography

Based in Munich, I work internationally across editorial, advertising, and documentary photography. My focus is on visual storytelling around people, food & drinks, often in dynamic environments such as restaurants, bars, on set, or behind the scenes. I like staged, high class perfection in Gastrophotography but my love lies in the real moments in between, where stories naturally unfold and the creative, organized world of hospitality is showing its dynamic peak. A central part of my work is therefore what I call Gastrostorytelling: combining people, atmosphere, and culinary culture into authentic visual narratives for brands and publications. My approach is very hands-on. I like to stay close to the situation and work with what is actually happening rather than over-directing it. The strongest images often emerge when you are part of the moment, involved with people and their craft. I have been working as a freelance photographer for over 20 years, creating work for international brands and publications including Diageo, Campari, Bacardi, Brown-Forman, The Sunday Times, Esquire, Marie Claire, Madame Figaro and Vogue Promotions. I studied photography at Central Saint Martins, the former London College of Printing and the former Bournemouth & Poole College of Art and Design. Alongside commissioned work, I develop personal projects such as The Fifth Season, a photographic book about Oktoberfest in Munich, offering a personal and observational perspective on one of the world’s most iconic festivals.