About

Trust is the hardest currency in a digital world.Tabea Marten

About fotografa

In 2002, I founded fotografa as a traditional portrait studio in Berlin’s Lottumstraße. My foundation: a master craftsman’s degree in photography (1999) and a degree in web design (2001). In 2010, the studio moved to the “Goldleistenfabrik,” a hub for creative enterprises. Daily interaction with publishers, graphic designers, and programmers sharpened my eye for visual communication and the direct, strategic impact of imagery in the business world.

For many years, I have focused consistently on photographing people. To gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play in this work, I completed my training as a Certified Master Coach in 2021.

Simultaneously, in 2024, I embarked on a journey as an artist, using street photography to explore questions of human existence. In Istanbul, I was fascinated by the candid moment. Yet, during a planned project in South Africa in 2026, I hit a boundary: my internal value system no longer allowed me to “steal the souls” of strangers without their consent. I realized that uninvited access crosses a fundamental line of integrity. This moment was my turning point: since then, I have only pursued street photography as an artistic research project with full consent.

This confrontation with my own boundaries defines my work today. What began as an artistic search evolved into a specialized portrait practice—grounded in a value system of partnership, freedom, and dignity. True presence emerges from trust, attentive listening, precise craftsmanship, and space for unfolding. Since 2025, I have been consistently integrating this value system into my portrait photography. My guiding principle: Depth over volume.

Why my shoots require space

Based on this conviction, I have developed a way of working that consciously stands against the standard. When asked why my shoots require more space than usual, my answer is:

Quality over quantity: We develop the concept together and execute it with professional ease. A truly great business portrait is one in which you recognize yourself—and one that you are always proud to share.

Life over posing: The best photos emerge when the pressure to “deliver” falls away. My approach is to create an atmosphere where you can show yourself, rather than perform.

Authenticity over artificiality: Heavy retouching and lifeless perfection feel interchangeable in today’s digital world. My goal is an aesthetic that is truthful and timeless—images that allow you to connect with your counterpart on a human level.

I warmly invite you to a photographic encounter that results in images of timeless presence.

You can view my artistic projects at: www.tabea-marten.com