I do not remember exactly when our paths crossed for the first time and it doesn't matter. Maurice is there, he always was. As German-French or French-German – probably he doesn't even know it himself.
© Maurice Weiss/OSTKREUZ, from the series „Upheavals"
To be honest, I don't remember exactly where or when I met Frank Schinski for the first time. But the moment his application for OSTKREUZ came in and his portfolio was on the table, I knew I had seen the pictures before – for me already a good sign.
© Frank Schinski/OSTKREUZ, from the series "Stepping down"
I met at a Wüstenrot-exhibition opening in Leipzig ten years ago. While Espen showed his work Whistling in the Woods, the new fellowship holders got their certificates. I was totally fascinated by Espen's photography. That mixture between documentary and fiction, creeps and romance was very appealing to me.
© Espen Eichhöfer/OSTKREUZ, from the series „The Nest, Norway"
In Spring 2006 I met Anne as I was an intern at the agency's office. We usually have one intern every three months. Unfortunately, many times it's a coming and going and the time is too short to really get to know each other. Contrarily, Anne gave me right from the beginning the feeling that she was caring and interested. I think that she encounters everyone so open-mindedly.
© Anne Schönharting/OSTKREUZ, from the series „Tagesbar"
I just became a Junior-Member at OSTKREUZ and planned moving to Berlin, when Annette gave me a map during the agency's Christmas party.
© Annette Hauschild/OSTKREUZ, from the series „First Love"
OSTKREUZ is an agency of auteur photographers. Each of the 18 OSTKREUZ members captures his individual vision of the world. Equally important is the personal interaction in the collective. We are driven by an approach to reality tying us together. In collaboration we develop ideas, support each other or just spend time together.
Nobody knows an OSTKREUZ-photographer and her work as well as a second OSTKREUZ-photographer. That's how we came across the idea of mutually introducing each other on our blog. Espen Eichhoefer opens this series by telling us how he got to know Dawin Meckel and what is exceptional about his photography.
© Dawin Meckel/OSTKREUZ, Pedestrians in the Business District, Sao Paulo, Brasil
On 1 April 2012, we would have been 12 years in our premises at Greifswalderstraße 216. They were very beautiful rooms, an ancient rambling appartment with wing doors and unpainted floorboards.
Nevertheless, it was time for a change and so we have moved into new quarters last week, right next to the Ostkreuzschule in Berlin-Weissensee. We look forward to a beautiful, exciting time in our new villa OSTKREUZ at Behaimstraße 34, 13086 Berlin.
Good bye Greifswalderstraße 216
