When you see Ronny Behnert’s photos you won’t believe that he has only started to get serious about photography in 2007. Within a few years he founded his own photo project, “Håggard Photography”, and has already had already some major publications in renown magazines.

Born in Luckenwalde, a small town south of Berlin, Behnert has always been drawn to Berlin, where he lives now. However he has already worked and lived on Sylt and in Frankfurt for some time. He tries to travel, working on his photography skills as much as possible.

You only discovered photography as your medium in 2007. This has been only five years ago. How did you manage to develop such a sophisticated and professional style in such a short time?  

Thanks for the great compliment! There is no secret recipe, but I would say I just dealt with the craft of photography and went outside. From the beginning I had a camera in my hands and did a lot of experimenting, learned a lot through trial and error. I think the most important thing to keep in mind is that a big part of the learning process is photographing itself. You should just follow your thoughts…photography is free!

What is most important when it comes to your photography?

Expressing myself comes before anything else. To transport my interests, thoughts, and emotions through the lens and express what this all does to me in one picture. Photography is a very important medium to me, I can discover and learn more about myself.

You are travelling a lot, what’s your next big destination?

My next destination is Krakau and the concentration camp Ausschwitz-Birkenau. My upcoming group of works will address the past of this place. I already have some first test images and the concept is finished.

My next city destinations will be Venice and Zurich. I am currently negotiating trips that take me a little further away: The choice will either be Tokyo, the United Arab Emirates or Chicago.

Your favorite story to one of your pictures?

I think I could put all of my works called “Venezia” into one story. The city of Venice has impressed me every day that I have been there and has turned out to be the true city of love for me. Long story short: There is not a city in the world that could be more romantic or dreamy than Venice.

Your favorite photographer?

The Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto completely convinced me with his exhibition at “Neue Nationalgalerie Berlin” in 2008. His “Seascapes” and “Theaters” strongly influenced my work.

Your first camera? And what are you using today?

My first camera was a friend’s compact camera. When I realized that photography would be a good way to express myself I gathered equipment. I started with analogue photography and went on to use digital SLR shortly after.

Today I am using both analogue and digital cameras in medium and full format and I parallely experiment with an old Polaroid camera.

We’re proud to present a selection of Ronny Behnert’ work on Photocircle. You can purchase his photos in his Photocircle gallery behind acrylic glass as well as on alu dibond and fine art paper. With 60% of his revenue the artist supports our social projects. Thank you Ronny!