About Me
Be the change you want to see in this world " - Gandhi
Growing up in beautiful Bavaria I was surrounded by meadows and fields, rolling hills and forests. I love pretty much everything that has to do with the outdoors as long as it is environmentally mindful. I went to school in Freising, Germany (our WEIHENSTEPHAN brewery is the oldest on the planet - founded in 1040 !!) and later studied Architecture in Munich. While studying I got involved in a business that would change my professional direction – I worked as a sound and camera assistant before I started working as a freelance D.P. and videographer for basically all German and some international TV stations in 1991. I mainly shot documentaries, commercials, life shows etc.
In 1992 I came to Los Angeles for 2 years. I dove into the film world and worked as a 1st / 2nd Assistant Cameraman on features, commercials and music videos. A few times a year I flew back to Munich to keep shooting. In 1994 I moved back to Munich for a great job offer which kept me very busy and in Germany.
Spring 1997 changed everything. I took the steadicam workshop in Malibu with Garrett Brown. Being intrigued and fascinated by this wonderful piece of equipment I knew I was hooked. With Garrett as my head instructor I had not only the pleasure to get to know one of the most wonderful people in the business but found a mentor and source of inspiration.
I have been living in the US (LA, now New York) and Canada (Vancouver) since 1998 and have been operating and shooting for over 28 years (23 years steadicam) pretty much anything all over the world – on land, in the air and underwater. Features, TV series, commercials, music videos, underwater productions (I am Dive Master # DM-163635), the occasional documentaries and much more.
In summer 2014 my wife and I moved to the Big Apple and made this wonderful and exciting place home for years to come.
I am a member of
- the Cinematographers Guild (IATSE, local 600),
- the Society of Camera Operators (S.O.C., Board Member 2008-2010)
- the Steadicam Operators Association (S.O.A.)
I am a US/German Dual National (US & EU passports) and fluent in English and German.