Summary: From studying civil engineering to advertising photography at Gieske Studios, then founding Luftschloss and the upcoming agency Kampart – a look back at a path between creativity and technology, paired with a call on policymakers to shape Germany's and Europe's digital transformation more actively.
Looking back on my career, I see a path shaped by creative passion, technological curiosity, and entrepreneurial courage. It all started with my love of photography, which over the years grew into a successful career and eventually into the world of digital transformation and marketing.
From Photography to Advertising Photography
After finishing school in Karlsruhe, I decided to study civil engineering at KIT. But during my studies I realized my true passion lay elsewhere – in the visual representation of ideas and concepts. That's how my journey into the world of photography began, advertising photography in particular.
My years at Gieske Studios were a formative time. As an advertising photographer, I got to work for some of the biggest clients, producing catalogs and online campaigns. My goal was always to create the perfect visual representation of products through modern photography. It was a time in which I not only developed my skills as a photographer, but also deepened my understanding of client relationships and campaign management.
The Leap into Entrepreneurship: Gieske Studios and Luftschloss
In 2018, I took the next step and took on a leadership role as managing partner at Gieske Studios. Here I combined my knowledge of photography with cutting-edge technology like CGI and animation to create interactive product experiences. This innovative concept allowed our clients to present their products in entirely new ways – whether at the point of sale, at trade fairs, or in showrooms.
But that wasn't the end of my journey. With the founding of Luftschloss in January 2024, I once again set out to unite technology and creativity. As co-founder, I now lead an innovative agency specializing in digital transformation and tailored marketing solutions.
A New Chapter Begins: Kampart
In October 2024, my team and I will launch an exciting new project: Kampart, a creative, consulting, and production agency. With Kampart, we pursue the vision of developing creative strategies and carrying them through from concept to production. Our goal is to help companies strengthen their brands with unique, innovative concepts – on a holistic level. We want to give our clients not just creative impulses, but also the right solutions to successfully turn those ideas into practice.
My Mission: Connecting People and Technology
My passion today lies at the intersection of people and technology. With Luftschloss and soon Kampart, we want to do more than strengthen brands – we want to create experiences that spark emotion and inspire people. To do that, we rely on a mix of creativity and innovation – whether in motion tracking, CGI, or interactive product presentations. Our vision is to tell stories through digital solutions that leave a lasting impression.
I see every new challenge as a chance to grow and explore new paths. Whether as CEO, photographer, or project lead – for me, people always come first. My work is about finding the right balance between technology and emotion, and creating experiences that stand out.
A Call to Policymakers
As an entrepreneur who has experienced and helped shape both the creative and technological developments of recent years firsthand, I see great opportunities – but also challenges ahead. Germany, and Europe as a whole, stand at a decisive turning point, especially when it comes to digitalization, the creative industries, and the innovative capacity of our economy.
From my experience in advertising photography and digital transformation, I've learned that technological progress changes the rules of the game for companies and markets. Projects like Luftschloss and the upcoming launch of Kampart exemplify the spirit of innovation needed to succeed in this new world. But that spirit alone isn't enough. We also need the right framework conditions to give companies – from startups to established businesses – the room to grow.
What increasingly concerns me as an entrepreneur is how slowly political and economic structures are adapting to a rapidly evolving technology and creative economy. Bureaucratic hurdles, slow approval processes, and still-insufficient digital infrastructure are holding back the innovative strength of many companies in Germany and Europe. As a society, we need to become more agile and make far greater use of the opportunities digitalization offers.
My appeal to policymakers is clear: we need more courage, more flexibility, and fewer obstacles. It's not enough to merely manage digital transformation – we need to actively shape it. Through targeted investment in education, technology, and infrastructure, we must make sure we don't fall further behind, but finally start catching up.
Conclusion
Despite all the challenges, I'm convinced we're on the right track. With the launch of Kampart and continued work at Luftschloss, I'll keep trying to contribute to this development – by helping companies think creatively and find technological solutions to their challenges. Because in the end, it's creativity, innovation, and collaboration that form the foundation of lasting success – for companies, for the economy, and for society as a whole.