Interview with Rachel Vogeleisen

Interview with

RACHEL VOGELEISEN, UK

2025 Title Photo

Rachel, what drew you to photography?

I always thought that documentary photography by Capra, Doisneau, Cartier Bresson, Elliot Erwitt drew me in. It focused on a glimpse of the lives of ordinary people. I loved how these photographers froze a moment and made the everyday look magical, it was a timeless moment created in black and white.

I now wonder if my aunt and my dad were not part of the attraction as well. My aunt used to photograph me a lot when I was a toddler, and my dad always had a camera with him when he travelled. It might have been unconscious. But, I’m sure I played a role as I have been hooked on photography since an early age.

Are there any artists or photographers who have influenced your work?

I would say artists, like Frida Kahlo, Sally Mann, Annie Leibovitz, Camille Claudel, and Artemisia Gentileschi have influenced my photography. The type of work these artists produced is what I’m aiming for. They had a strong feminine side, with boldness and grace. Peter Lindbergh’s photography makes my heart jump. I find his portraits mesmerising. I can’t get enough of them. He captured women as free spirits. His photography is bold, dramatic, and he was a master of light.

What is the “Rachel Vogeleisen” style or approach, would you say? 

The artists who inspire me have deeply influenced my style. There’s a lot of sensibility in my approach. My subjects are often poised; I give them time to take a breath, exist in front of the camera, embracing who they are. I want to create an impact with these self-assured postures. They should make the viewer stop and question the portrait.

How does your approach to artistic photography differ from your daily professional work?

The artistic photography I create is conceptual. It is not about a specific person; my aim is to express a specific message through a vehicle that is the model.

Rachel Vogeleisen

Is there a particular project or photo you’re especially proud of? 

I’m very proud of my ongoing project “Women in Quiet Rebellion”. It all started by going to an exhibition about Artemisia Gentileschi at the National Gallery in London. I love the drama in Renaissance paintings. I was fascinated by the fact that a woman artist could exist during the Renaissance period. Her work was very bold and theatrical. She inspired me to create a project about women through history. Where they were supposed to be seen but not heard. The portraits created for this project have a subtle way to give a voice to women who were not allowed to have one.

How do you blend your creative vision into commercial assignments?

Any commercial assignment I take on, I will start from the message/meaning behind the project. As a photographer, my mission is not to create an image. It is to tell a unique story about the person I’m photographing. Using my style and vision to create the portrait.

What does your calender say for 2025? Any exciting projects?

2025 will be a continuation of my ongoing projects: The Joyful Journey about Women celebrating new beginnings in European Cities. And the Women in Quiet Rebellion moving to the 1940s.
I also hope to create more artistic nudes in outdoor locations by finding the right locations for my vision.

As an experienced photography lover, what should I definitely not miss on my next trip to London? Beyond NPG, TPG, RCA, Tate Modern and the like, which smaller galleries or exhibition rooms should I give a try?

I would definitely recommend the Victoria and Albert Museum; they always have great photography exhibitions. I would also recommend The Hamilton’s gallery in Mayfair. They feature contemporary photography. They represent the work of famous fashion photographers like Irving Penn. They currently have an exhibition featuring Erwin Olaf until February 1st.

Read Rachel Vogeleisen’s “Open letter to photographers” on her blog »Lumière & Liberté: A Photographic Journey«: