German photographer Katja Ruge has carved out a unique niche in the art world by seamlessly combining her passions for photography and music. Known for her distinctive portraits that capture the essence of techno culture and electronic music scenes, Ruge is preparing for her upcoming exhibition "One Room, One Light" at Hamburg's Tempel1844 Gallery, scheduled to open in early September 2020.
Ruge's journey into photography began unconventionally when she was learning in a photo lab during her school years. "At the school we had to take our own photos. It just happened," she explained in a recent interview. Her first professional assignment came while working at a photo agency, when her boss asked her to photograph a Heavy Metal band at Hamburg's Markthalle venue. "I had no clue what I was doing but it was magic. I forgot space and time," Ruge recalled, describing how this experience ignited her lifelong passion for combining music and visual art.
Beyond photography, Ruge has maintained a multifaceted career as a DJ, music producer, and party organizer, running her own event series for over a decade. When asked to describe her photographic trademark, she simply states: "Real People, Good Vibes. Something in-between. And lots of invisible lines." Her approach to music during photo shoots is carefully balanced – she often asks portrait subjects to bring their favorite music, maintaining playlists specifically for photography sessions while ensuring the sound remains background ambiance rather than distraction.
Ruge's professional evolution spans multiple roles in the creative industry. Before establishing her freelance photography business in 2000, she worked as a photo assistant, music promoter, and art director. During her time at a photo agency in the 1990s, she encountered iconic works by renowned photographers including Herb Ritts, Wayne Maser, David LaChapelle, and Mary Ellen Mark. "Many iconic photographs in the 90s went over my desk," she noted, crediting this exposure with shaping her understanding of image construction and what makes photographs special.
A significant chapter in Ruge's career unfolded during her two-and-a-half-year residency in Manchester during the 1990s, where she became connected to the legendary Hacienda Club scene through staff photographer Peter J. Walsh. This experience in Manchester's vibrant rave culture later inspired one of her most acclaimed projects, "Fotoreportage 23 - In Search Of Ian Curtis," which she began in 2005. The project, triggered by news of an upcoming Ian Curtis documentary, involved photographing locations significant to Joy Division fans and interviewing people connected to the late musician. The resulting book featured previously hidden photographs of Ian Curtis shot by Mark Reeder, which had been stored away for over 25 years.
Ruge's portfolio includes portraits of major music industry figures such as Björk, DJ Koze, and rapper M.I.A. Her shooting approach adapts to challenging circumstances, often working in hotel rooms or record company offices with limited time. "Most of my sessions last only half an hour, I love this very concentrated energy," she explained. When given creative control, she develops comprehensive concepts including location scouting, styling, and makeup, always beginning her creative process by listening to the artist's music.
As an official member of the prestigious BFF (Berufsverband Freier Filmgestalter und Fotografen), Ruge is among the minority of female members in the predominantly male organization. She has addressed gender representation in the music industry through her ongoing project "Ladyflash – Women in Music," which features portraits of over 100 female musicians displayed at equal sizes regardless of their fame level. "I wanted complete equal rights. It starts with your own work," she stated, while acknowledging that discrimination persists "for as long as we need to make such difference between people."
Ruge's upcoming exhibition "One Room, One Light" emerged from an opportunity during the COVID-19 lockdown when Hamburg gallery owner Thomas Holthoff offered artists the chance to use his unique space. The venue, formerly part of a reform synagogue belonging to the liberal New Israelite Temple Association founded in 1817, became both artist residency and creative workspace. The exhibition will showcase portraits of local artists wearing slogan shirts, part of a support initiative for struggling musicians organized by RockCity e.V., a local music scene advocacy group run by women.
Looking ahead, Ruge is scheduled to present her work at EMOP Berlin 2020 as part of the "Meet the Pro" series in October. She plans to offer attendees an interactive experience where they can physically handle her photographs, believing that "the reaction when people actually can hold a photo is beautiful." For aspiring female photographers, her advice emphasizes authenticity over technical perfection: "I noticed that a lot of women overthink too much. And look too much at others... When you get over it you start to find your true self. You do work that is real and full of Love."
