In the lead–up to the 2025 local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, I was commissioned to develop a cohesive visual identity for a local campaign in Telgte. The requirement was multifaceted: I needed to produce high-quality individual portraits for a diverse group of candidates while simultaneously executing a series of conceptual group shots that illustrated specific campaign themes. In this context, the visual strategy serves a critical purpose – it must ground abstract policy goals in the local landscape, ensuring the candidates appear both professional and deeply connected to their community.
Technical Precision under Ambitious Conditions
One of the primary challenges of location-based campaign photography is the entropy of the environment. We opted to shoot in a public park to maintain local relevance, which meant contending with shifting light and also some curious traffic. As photographer and photography educator Don Giannatti aptly noted: “The sun moves a lot faster when you have a camera out.”
To manage the fluctuating light temperatures and ensure absolute colour fidelity across multiple shooting dates, I utilised a standardised colour checker workflow. Applying rigorous technical control to an unpredictable outdoor setting ensured that every skin tone and campaign colour remained consistent, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions.
Themed Motifs and Logistical Precision
The project moved beyond standard documentation into the realm of “Visual Solutions” for complex messaging. The execution of the various themed motifs required a high degree of logistical and technical coordination. To guarantee optimal lighting for every individual within the large group compositions, I lit each person separately. These individual exposures were then precisely integrated during post–production through compositing. This methodical approach ensured a level of visual quality and clarity that would have been impossible to achieve with a single shutter release under the versatile conditions on-site.
Strategic Consultancy as a Core Function
While technical proficiency is the baseline for any high–stakes project, the most important value I can provide as a photographer is strategic consultancy. During the portrait sessions, for instance, the initial brief called for 3/4 body shots. Drawing on my experience with corporate framing, I advised a shift to “head and shoulders” portraits for greater personal impact, alongside more immersive group shots. By offering to shoot both styles, I allowed the clients to evaluate the effectiveness of each in a real–world context. Ultimately, the closer, more engaging crops were selected – confirming that in a local election, the sense of personal connection is the most valuable currency.
Technical Execution as a Team Effort
Successfully navigating a large–scale campaign shoot requires more than technical skill; it requires a calm, methodical approach to logistical shifts and, above all, a strong team effort. Despite the challenges of coordinating many individuals with overlapping schedules, a steadying approach ensured the project remained on track. It was a wonderful project overall because of the collective energy and patience of everyone involved. My sincere thanks to Marian Husmann and Tatjana Scharfe for their creative direction, to Stephanie Holtmann for her seamless organisation and to Melanie Everding and Bettina Schmitte for the beautiful layout and the coordination of the printing. It is this synergy between creative intent and technical reliability that results in visuals that truly stand up to the months-long public scrutiny.
In the end, the Telgte Green Party achieved the best result statewide, and Katja Behrendt successfully secured the mayoral seat in the run-off election. She succeeds the outgoing mayor, Wolfgang Pieper, after 15 years in office.
