Spotlight: Enno Kapitza for Süddeutsche Zeitung

BY 25 September 2024

Munich-based Outdoor/Adventure photographer Enno Kapitza recently completed a ski tour photo story published by return editorial client Süddeutsche Zeitung. The Munich-based news publication was founded in 1945, and since then has become one of the largest and most influential daily newspapers in Germany. The publication is renowned for its high-quality journalism and comprehensive coverage of politics, culture, business, and science. Enno began this Austria Alps stills and video photo story as a self-assigned project in collaboration with writer Florian Sanktjohanser, confident they would be able to pitch the series to an editorial client.

The Großvenediger project originated from a collaboration with travel author Florian Sanktjohanser, whom I met during a ski touring story in the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia/Svanetia. We undertook this project without a prior client, eventually selling it to the Alps Magazine and Süddeutsche Zeitung Weekend Issue, both in print and online. These stories were published this winter.

A tearsheet from Süddeutsche Zeitung featuring Enno Kapitza's photo.

I am a freelance commercial and editorial photographer with nearly thirty years of experience, starting out with editorial projects for major German magazines such as STERN, GEO, Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazine, and many others. Over time, my clients shifted mostly to the corporate world. However, the subjects remained consistent: portraits, documentary, and travel.

Three skiers or mountaineers are standing on a snow-covered mountain with vast snow-covered peaks stretching out into the distance. They are dressed in colorful winter gear, with backpacks and poles, preparing for a descent or simply enjoying the view.

Outdoor and mountain photography became an addition through my personal passion for ski touring, hiking, and alpinism. Many editorial clients appreciate my ability to shoot a story while on a ski tour or hike myself. This unique skill set is a clear advantage for my portfolio, often earning me assignments related to mountains. I strive to maintain my visual style, characterized by a natural approach, using available light, straightforward portraiture, non-staged moments, and various changes in perspectives and moods.

A close-up shot of someone tying a knot on a climbing rope. The person is wearing outdoor gear, including a watch and a vest with mountaineering badges. The background is slightly blurred but shows another person in similar gear.

The Großvenediger Project

Enno shared some memories from his experience on the Alpine ski-tour shoot.

A remote mountain hut is seen in a snow-covered landscape. The hut is made of wood and has a few people standing outside on the porch. The surrounding mountains and snow make it a picturesque alpine setting.

The energy during our project, which spanned two days in the mountains, including a night in a hut, was incredible. It was mixed with some nervous thoughts about the weather conditions, which were quite harsh on our day of ascent. I have a particular fondness for mountain moods with clouds, snow, and wind, as they illustrate the remoteness and challenges at high altitudes and terrains such as glaciers.

Enno is standing next to a wooden statue of a mountaineer or hiker. The statue has detailed carvings, including a rope and a walking stick, giving it a rustic and traditional appearance. The person is smiling and wearing casual outdoor clothing, including a beanie and a jacket. — **_{Enno standing next to a wooden statue}**

We were guided by Sigi Hatzer, a mountain guide who has summited Großvenediger more than a thousand times. He was an integral part of our story. My wife Uli accompanied us on this ski tour, which contributed to capturing more lively pictures. Despite experiencing a complete whiteout near the summit, rendering the view from the top invisible, I returned home with ample material for a compelling story, which was a valuable learning experience.