About melancholy, nostalgia, longing, lust with Annika Weertz.
How are you Annika?
I am okay.
Where are you from?
I was born in a small town in the west of Germany, close to the Dutch border.
How do you get interested by photography?
I have no exact memory of that which is hard to believe as I am one of those people who memorises everything very detailed. I think, I was always drawn to visual art. When I was 15 or 16 I fell in love with nude photographs, like those by Helmut Newton, for example. I have been taking pictures for over 10 years now and rather by accident I discovered Ryan McGinley and his body of work has inspired me to keep going for the past 4 years.
Your works focusing on intimacy and love. What are the most important feelings/emotions in your private life?
Melancholy, nostalgia, longing, lust.
Which are your favourite part of body to capture on a woman/man?
I think it differs from person to person. Generally, I would say the face. There is nothing more direct and honest than a face.
Is there a personal connection what you are hoping to archive through your images?
Yes. It obviously depends on the person I photograph. I photograph to express myself and to archive. I have spent the last 2 years excessively documenting my romantic relationship. While I wanted to explore the topic of obsession, I also wanted to try and archive every inch of flesh to prevent time from clouding my memory. I feel like I have become obsessed with trying to remember every little and unnecessary detail. Some of my friends think I am crazy for that matter but it gives me a huge satisfaction. When working on other topics, I tend to express my own views and feelings through another person.
Which and why is your favorite? Digital or analogue?
I prefer film. I don’t have anything against shooting digital at all. In the end, the result counts. I really like how shooting film because it does not flood my hard drive with unnecessary RAW files.
How/where are you find ideas for your series?
Mostly, when I am driving a longer distance in the car, I find something in the depth of my mind. I feel like my mind never stops thinking. Everything is always happening at once, so driving helps to focus on one or two things only.
You have more series which are connetced with water. Does water have a special meaning for you or it just happent accidently?
I always liked water as an element. I find it visually very captivating as in how it reacts to movement and how it reflects light. It also allows you to escape everyday life. Be it in the bath, in the swimming pool or in the open water, if you are surrounded by it, you are in a different world.
For me, your portfolio is like my dreams. The colors, smiles, emotions and many male nudes…How would you describe your style in a few words?
Thank you. That is nice to hear. Maybe we dream of similar things then… haha. I think my style is honest, direct yet tender.
What is your next to do today?
Continue to work on a zine that I want to self-publish soon.
What do you hoping for 2018 in your career?
I hope to graduate from university, find a part-time job that pays the bills and assist other photographers and start earning money with my own photography.
Bath Time Diaries
Videotape
Find more: @annikaweertz / www.annikaweertz.com