Hi, it's me!
I'm a People & Travel Photographer
I’m more than happy you ended up here. I'm a creative mind and documentary wedding, couple and people photographer from Hamburg. I started photography when I was 16. That means I feel comfortable holding a camera for more than 13 years now. I was always the small and quiet girl with the big camera – the artsy one.
I want to document and capture moments that spark emotions in people, even years later. My work is built around light, human connections and compositions. I seek to find authentic and unposed moments and interesting perspectives.
I draw inspiration from natural light, rainy weather, forests, fresh nordic air, poetry, landscapes, vulnerability, 35mm vintage cameras, movies, books and magazines, oceans, foggy days, imperfection, movement, neoclassical music and so much more. Inspiration is everywhere. However, the greatest inspiration for me is travelling. Nothing inspires me more than new places, changed perspectives, beachy sunsets and exhausting hikes in the mountains. To be honest, I have an itch to travel. Over the last couple of years I realized that it's something that I can't live without. You just have to say the word travel and I'll start packing my bags and collect spots and plan another travel film immediately.
I can't get enough of coffee, cats, foggy forests and great stories. So let's start to tell your's!
Destinations
Due to the current situation I have no exact travel plans at the moment.
But you'll find my latest travel adventures on my blog or on Mapify. @lenasteinke
What I love
Moody days, cats, coffee, mountains & oceans, Design, cozy knit sweaters, The Office, Ólafur Arnalds, flea markets
Fast Facts
Get to know me
01.
I can't decide between mountains and oceans
I grew up near to the sea in Schleswig-Holstein but absolutely love mountains, even though the next big mountain range is pretty far away from Hamburg. My dream vacation always combines both – mountains and oceans. Ideally combined with a road trip. Maybe that's the reason why I fell in love with New Zealand.
02.
If I could only watch one TV show for the rest of my life, I would shoot Toby twice.
I'm a The Office superfan and try to spread my love for this show with many dumb inside jokes. So be prepared for many many Michael Scott quotes. And in case you know the German adaptation of it and think that "Stromberg " is better, you are welcome to discuss it with me until midnight.
03.
I could listen to sad piano songs 24/7
I simply love sad music, especially by Ólafur Arnalds, Hania Rani or Max Richter. My favorite genre is neoclassic but I'm also known for being into some kind of trash music and I've been to concerts of the non-existent Technoband Fraktus and Electrolore King Alexander Marcus.
04.
How to pimp an undrinkable wine?
I invented this cool drink that combines iced tea and cheap white wine. My favorite iced tea for this drink is the red one from Pfanner. Its citrus and pomegranate and delicious, especially if the wine you bought is not that great. Trust me, it's a great way to make undrinkable wine drinkable.
Nice words
from kind people
Liebe Lena, wir können es eigentlich kaum in Worte fassen wie glücklich wir sind, dass du uns bei unserem großen Tag begleitet und alles für die Ewigkeit festgehalten hast! Unser Hochzeitstag war einfach perfekt und traumhaft schön, umso schöner ist es, dass es auch noch mit so vielen wunderbaren Fotos verewigt wurde. Wir lieben deinen Stil, er hat perfekt zu unserer Hochzeit im Hafenschuppen gepasst. Tausend Dank für dieses große Geschenk! 😍
Antonia & Anton
Lena! I am in awe 😍 Truly, yours are my favorite photos ever taken!!
The way you captured the emotion of the moment, the moody composition and tone of the story make the photos come to life in a dream state. Also the fact that we captured the Alster which is my favorite place in the world makes me cry of happiness. Thank you thank you thank you ❤️ I really love your images and cherish these memories in Hamburg. I just returned to LA and opening these beauties gave me a piece of Hamburg I felt I lost. Thank you capturing my dream Alster shoot, I really enjoyed our time together!!🤗💛
Tara Blanchard
You have incredible talent! We felt so comfortable and the pictures are breathtakingly beautiful! You have such a warm and great nature. I can't get enough of the images. The photos are full of emotion and passion.
Dear Lena, you are gorgeous and I would hire you as my wedding photographer anytime because you capture the beautiful moments with so much heart! Thank you so much
Julia & David
