About Dr. Jan Söhlke – Industrial & Scientific Photographer
With over a decade of commercial photography experience and deep roots in both scientific and corporate communications, I specialise in translating complex research and industrial processes into precise, high-end imagery. Based in NRW, Germany and embedded in active university research contexts nationally and internationally, I understand the technical language, the lab protocols, and the stakes – and I bring that fluency to every assignment.
Bridging Innovation and Visual Storytelling
Capturing the essence of high-tech industry and cutting-edge research requires a specific kind of intellectual agility – the ability to grasp the core of a project without getting lost in the technical intricacies. My work is focused on translating complex scientific and industrial processes into compelling visual narratives.
This proficiency is anchored in my experience as Head of Communication for both a Viennese IT startup and a major scientific institution. Having spent years both coordinating and photographing research at the Center for Sensor Systems (ZESS), I specialize in distilling high-level technical complexity into strategic visuals that connect specialist innovation with public engagement.
By operating with a strict understanding of cleanroom protocols and the delicate nature of custom experimental setups, I ensure minimal disruption to high-stakes workflows while delivering a professional, high-end result.
A Unique Academic Perspective
My photographic work is deeply informed by my ongoing, active roles within the research community. This dual involvement—as a science communicator and as the Scientific Coordinator for a DFG-funded research unit—keeps me embedded at the forefront of technological innovation at ZESS.
Having earned my PhD through the ProLit programme at LMU Munich, I am intimately familiar with the immense dedication required for long-term scholarly and scientific work. As a “native” to the academic world, I bring a researcher’s rigor to every assignment, capturing innovation with the precision and integrity that complex projects demand. This background allows me to navigate sensitive research environments with an insider’s understanding of both the data and the human element behind it.
A record of my academic contributions can be found on Google Scholar, and my doctoral thesis is available via DSpace or through the published edition at Universi.
Philosophy & Approach
My photographic journey began with an Instamatic 100, and ever since, I have been captivated by how a single, still image can condense the many facets of a personality or a complex object into something beautiful.
Today, that interest has evolved into a focus on de- and recontextualizing the familiar. By carefully controlling the environments in which I set my subjects, I aim to allow people, objects, and processes – all too often taken for granted – to gain a new sense of agency.
By seeking out the aesthetic heartbeat of my subject, even the most technical environments reveal a hidden beauty. My approach is collaborative, quiet, and highly focused – striving to create images that elevate their subjects into a compelling visual experience.
When I am not behind the lens, I spend my time with my family, in the mountains, or practicing martial arts.
Contact me
You are looking for a photographer who will strengthen your visual identity or you have a photography project in mind you’d like to discuss? Get in touch, and we’ll make it happen:
