Anne is our house photographer and snaps her camera a just about everything t-shirt related for our platform. Learn about Anne’s journey across the world before she landed at Spreadshirt and check out her tip for photographers.
How long have you worked at Spreadshirt and what exactly do you do?
So, my name is Anne Kreuz and that’s Kreuz without a t. So many people put a “tz” at the end of my name, which is how it’s spelled. I am responsible for all of the photography which can be found on Spreadshirt and laFraise. Campaigns, teasers, newsletter photos, blog photos and so on.
And how long have you been here?
In mid-May it will be a healthy two years.
What is a typical day for you at Spreadshirt and what do you do exactly?
That’s not a very easy question to answer, as every day is a little different for me.
I don’t really have a real routine which I follow every day – nothing like checking e-mails between 10 and 11, then a photo shooting or two and then lunch etc.
All in all you can say that I am constantly working with my time management. I generally set up my schedule based on when the models have time. From there I work everything else around those appointments. That means, figuring out when the models have time and deciding which shirt fits them best. Then each photo shooting must be planned individually, how and where I set up the scene for the photos. Afterwards I have to pick out the best shots and work on them to create a finished photo. And then, of course, there are the meetings to plan upcoming photos and campaigns for Spreadshirt or laFraise.
That sounds like a lot of organization. How much time does a photo shooting normally take?
Organizing a photo shoot usually takes much longer than the actual shooting itself. It really depends what the photo is going to be used for. For example, the laFraise blog photo campaigns usually take between a half hour and an hour and a half just for the shooting. That’s because I usually try to take photos outdoors at different locations.
Does your creativity get full reign for the photo shootings?
Definitely, if time permits! Soon I will have my 300th laFraise shirt shooting behind me, along with uncountable Spreadshirt campaigns. I am in my element when I have the camera in my hand. My own standards are really important for me – I have to be satisfied with them. And I am.
What is special about your job?
I can think of two things:
First is the freedom that I have with creativity, time and location. This freedom allows me to work just about anywhere and I don’t have to sit in front of the computer all day long.
Second is the fact that I am the only photographer here, which of course means that I have a great deal of responsibility for the visual presentation of our products. That’s always the biggest challenge – you always have to expect surprises.
Oh, and my models. It’s really nice to work with people who like to be photographed.
Let’s go back in time a little. Where were you born and how old are you?
I am 29 and was born in Bad Saarow-Pieskow, just like the boxer Alex Schulz. But, we don’t know each other – he is too old. And I share a birthday with one of the members of “New Kids under the Block”. Those are two nice highlights!
“on the Block”?
Oh – haha – right, “on the Block”. I saw a shirt somewhere with “under the Block” on it and thought it was really cool. Since then I keep calling them under the block.
How did you end up at Spreadshirt?
After finishing school, I started training as a photographer in Heidelberg and in Sauerland. Then I went to England for a year where I worked as a press and freelance photographer. That was like winning the lottery. And the moment I got back to Germany, I booked another flight to New Zealand. That flight was three weeks later, which came as a big surprise to my family, who had looked hard to find jobs for me as a wedding photographer etc. in Germany. Then I went off to Jamaica for a year. I actually did work there as a wedding photographer and also was a co-manager of a photo store.
Wow, that’s a lot of traveling.
Yeah, travel is one of my biggest passions. I really like Germany, but sometimes I have to get away from the comfort you find in your home country.
With the exception of your long stays in England, New Zealand, Australia and Jamaica, where was the most impressive place you’ve visited?
Oh, that was Vancouver. Best place to be!
Simply amazing.
Simply amazing.What music or books have made an impression on you recently?
The last books I’ve read are Khaled Hosseini’s “A Thousand Splendid Suns” and Jodi Picoult’s “My Sister’s Sleeper”. Another book on my top 10 list is Andreas Altmann’s book about his travels through Australia (in German).
Music … well, I am more of a book rat. Music kind of plays in the background for me, with just a little attention payed to it.
Any tips for us amateur photographers?
Expensive cameras don’t always mean great photography. Having a good eye for the scene is the key.
If you had the chance to be something else, what would you be?
What would I want to do if I wasn’t a photographer? I would be a pilot in the African jungle and Salsa dancing instructor at the same time. I can’t do either of the two – certainly a high danger of breaking my leg.
Thanks for the chat Anne!
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