I’m Oliver Hadji, a Hamburg-based photographer with decades of experience across theatre, editorial, and architecture photography. I’ve collaborated with major magazines and galleries, and I have led creative projects from studios to international shoots, always prioritizing clear storytelling and visual impact. My career has taken me from early internships with renowned photographers to leading a photographic trading company, and now I freelance again from Hamburg, welcoming new assignments and collaborations. Recent work includes ongoing freelance photography in Hamburg and a long-running project on architect Fritz Schumacher in Hamburg. I bring hands-on expertise in lighting, studio setup, and image editing, with a practical approach to managing shoots, teams, and client needs. I also maintain equipment readiness (Sony and Leica bodies, lighting, and related gear) and strong knowledge of Photoshop, Lightroom, and Portrait Pro.

Oliver Hadji

I’m Oliver Hadji, a Hamburg-based photographer with decades of experience across theatre, editorial, and architecture photography. I’ve collaborated with major magazines and galleries, and I have led creative projects from studios to international shoots, always prioritizing clear storytelling and visual impact. My career has taken me from early internships with renowned photographers to leading a photographic trading company, and now I freelance again from Hamburg, welcoming new assignments and collaborations. Recent work includes ongoing freelance photography in Hamburg and a long-running project on architect Fritz Schumacher in Hamburg. I bring hands-on expertise in lighting, studio setup, and image editing, with a practical approach to managing shoots, teams, and client needs. I also maintain equipment readiness (Sony and Leica bodies, lighting, and related gear) and strong knowledge of Photoshop, Lightroom, and Portrait Pro.

Available to hire

I’m Oliver Hadji, a Hamburg-based photographer with decades of experience across theatre, editorial, and architecture photography. I’ve collaborated with major magazines and galleries, and I have led creative projects from studios to international shoots, always prioritizing clear storytelling and visual impact. My career has taken me from early internships with renowned photographers to leading a photographic trading company, and now I freelance again from Hamburg, welcoming new assignments and collaborations.

Recent work includes ongoing freelance photography in Hamburg and a long-running project on architect Fritz Schumacher in Hamburg. I bring hands-on expertise in lighting, studio setup, and image editing, with a practical approach to managing shoots, teams, and client needs. I also maintain equipment readiness (Sony and Leica bodies, lighting, and related gear) and strong knowledge of Photoshop, Lightroom, and Portrait Pro.

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Language

German
Fluent
English
Advanced
French
Beginner

Work Experience

Assistant/Intern to Photographers at Photographers' studios (Reinhart Wolf, Hans Hansen, Michael Somoroff, Hanns Bühner)
January 1, 1984 - January 1, 1985
Assisted renowned photographers, learning lighting, composition, and studio workflow.
Assistant at Jaques Delva (Paris)
January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1988
One-year stay assisting Jaques Delva in Paris, working on photographic assignments.
Studio Manager at Karin Petersen, Hamburg
January 1, 1988 - January 1, 1991
Studio management; freelance assignments for Tempo, Petra and Stern.
Freelance Photographer at Various magazines and Burgtheater, Vienna
January 1, 1991 - January 1, 1994
Assignments for Stern, Petra, Tango, Tempo, Playboy, Focus; theatre photography for Burgtheater, Vienna.
Freelance Photographer at New York City (Victorian/Vanity Fair assignments)
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1997
Three-year stay for assignments for German publications and US Vanity Fair.
Assistant to CEO at Photographic trading company near Munich
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 2005
Assistant to the CEO; involvement in operations of a photographic trading company.
Freelance Photographer / Gallery Manager at Theatres in Vienna; Chip Foto & Video; aplanat gallery
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2009
Freelance theatre photographer; wrote and shot on photographers; gallery management and organizing shows featuring renowned photographers such as Irving Penn, Rene Groebli, Araki, Frank Horvat.
CEO at HapaTeam GmbH
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2023
CEO of a photographic trading company near Munich, overseeing strategy, operations and partnerships.
Freelance Photographer at Self-employed, Hamburg
January 1, 2023 - Present
Freelance photography assignments based in Hamburg; ongoing projects and client work.

Education

University entrance qualification (Abitur) at Johanneum, Hamburg
January 1, 1984 - January 1, 1985

Qualifications

Driving license (Führerschein)
January 11, 2030 - December 15, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education