Interview about Fast Women Photographs, winner of the A' Photography and Photo Manipulation Design Award 2025
The photo series shows the theme of women and racing cars from a new perspective. Instead of being a decorative element, the woman appears as a self-confident personality in a technical environment. Each image conveys determination, coolness and lightness, while subtly resonating vulnerability. The body language retains a natural elegance. The clear image composition and targeted play with blurring direct the eye and create emotions. For a balanced tension, the warm basic tone of the shots is contrasted in part by a technical coolness. Overall, the motifs radiate a calm, focussed atmosphere.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsI wouldn’t say that my images consciously aim to challenge traditional representations in motorsport. It’s more about offering a different perspective – one that avoids clichés. I simply had no interest in reinforcing the usual gender roles, where women are merely decorative figures standing next to a car. Of course, equality has been a topic of discussion for a long time. But it's also about how we make it visible in specific contexts. Naturally, every gender has its own interests – and yes, cars might not be a top favorite for many women. But there are countless exceptions: women who are deeply passionate about engineering, speed, and motorsport. These are the women I wanted to portray – not as accessories, but right at the center of the action – with helmets, oil on their fingers, and fuel in their veins. My goal was to give them space to be seen as they truly are: dedicated, skilled, and focused – as active protagonists.
The interplay of warmth and coolness, human presence and mechanical precision, is central to the visual concept of the series. I deliberately worked with a blue-orange complementary contrast to create an atmosphere that is both harmonious and charged with subtle tension. The cool surfaces of motorsport – metal, machinery, structure – are counterbalanced by warm elements such as skin, hair, and sunlight. This contrast reflects the dynamic relationship between humans and machines. Especially within the blue-orange range, these images create a visual tension that feels both rich and pleasing – an atmosphere in which the women move as part of the technology, not in contrast to it.
To capture this subtle balance between strength and vulnerability, a respectful approach was most essential for me. I worked with natural light and a wide aperture to create a calm, intimate visual language that draws focus to the person. Even more important was the communication: briefing the women, then allowing them to act freely – and capturing the exact moment when a genuine connection becomes visible in their gaze. That’s when the image gains depth and emotional authenticity.
A central principle in my visual language is: less is more. I want to guide the viewer’s gaze deliberately – toward what truly matters – while eliminating anything that might disrupt the emotional impact. Every person brings a different background to the viewing experience, so I aim to keep my visual statements as clear and pared-down as possible. Depth of field is a key stylistic tool in this process. It allows me to separate the essential from the less important without entirely excluding the environment – instead, it remains subtly present, adding to the atmosphere. This creates a composition that offers not only formal clarity but also emotional resonance.
The racetrack is a loud, technical environment – creating genuine intimacy in such a setting was a particular challenge. I deliberately sought out moments and locations where we could work largely undisturbed, sometimes early in the morning on the closed track before any driving began. I coordinated the photo concept with the participants in advance, positioned vehicles and equipment, tested the light – always with the aim of creating a coherent atmosphere of setting, light, and expression. This allowed authentic, intimate portraits to emerge – right in the middle of motorsport, but from a different perspective.
Especially with non-professional models, trust is key. I take my time, adapt to them, communicate openly, and show patience and respect. The atmosphere on set is relaxed – humor often helps to ease tension and create a natural, comfortable setting. I try to recognize the strengths of the person in front of the camera and address any insecurities – because only those who feel truly seen can embody their role with confidence. For me, the soul of an image lies in the expression of the eyes – a mouth can smile, but without that echo in the gaze, the image remains empty.
The book shows a journey through a variety of moments and situations that the Fast Women experienced and significantly characterised on these days. It consists exclusively of full-page photographs in order to give each motif the space it deserves. When arranging them, it was important to me that the opposite pages are in dialogue – in terms of image composition, direction of view, colours and proportions. This creates a visual harmony that tells the story atmospherically rather than chronologically.
Receiving the A' Design Award was a special recognition – especially since we are often our own toughest critics. The significance of this award only became clear to me gradually, as I experienced appreciation and positive feedback from others. It showed me how much power and relevance Fast Women Photographs carries. This experience motivates me to explore the project in new directions.
Many of the image concepts were already in my mind beforehand, which made starting the initial shots easier. Surprisingly and enriching was how motivated, relaxed, and joyful the women were at work – completely contrary to my initial concerns. Particularly interesting was the development of some image ideas through collaboration with the women. The almost friendly and creative atmosphere was especially valuable. The models contributed their own ideas, and there was a real exchange of ideas, which led to the creation of additional motifs.
This question almost touches on philosophical considerations and the many nuances of everyday life. Is it really that simple to answer? Women go their own way in every area of daily life, whether they excel in so-called male domains or embrace more traditional gender roles. It depends on personal preferences, as I mentioned at the beginning. My work was never intended to intervene in debates. The pictures reflect my understanding of a self-confident yet feminine, sensitive portrayal of women. For me, equality is a matter of course.
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