stylistberlin: Robert, you are the „behind the scenes“ photographer of Kilian Kerner. How did you meet him and when was that?
Robert: First time I’ve met Kilian is years ago, when he has had his first collection and I’ve still been at photography school… I even think it was in 2004. We’ve worked together on some project. I very much like Kilian’s design and development and it’s always a pleasure to join his productions.

stylistberlin: While taking the pictures, where is your focus?
Robert: The focus is always on the human aspect and the authenticity of the people and situations portrayed. I always try to combine a real moment with an emotional view + at the same time winningly to the person/motive shown.

stylistberlin: You currently have an exhibition in Berlin, just in time for the fashionweek. Tell us more about it, please. 
Robert: I have been accompaning the production of Kilian’s label over four collections during his photo shoots and backstage his shows. I always appreciate the opportunity to step back and take a look behind the scene – giving this commercial thing a whiff of truth and modify all the glamour by taking it slightly back to normal.

stylistberlin: Why fashion photography?
Robert: It’s not fashion photography by force… But also in fashion I’m able to suggest my intentions and of course it’s an interaction of it all: I like fashion for being a supporting medium as it’s is a very important means of expression.

stylistberlin: There were people running around in your shirt – so you are working in other fields as well?
Robert: That’s my first t-shirt-collection. I like to experience my photography in other subjects and growing with it. And I think it’s important to challenge myself by learning about new areas. Next I’m going to work on some moving pictures + currently I’m arranging some paste-ups (street art) to be shown around the globe.

stylistberlin: Where can we find your works? With whom did you work so far?
Robert: There are some magazine like Proud, Kinki or Honk! that I like to work with + to mention a few.  Also my very favorite singer/songwriter Holly Miranda from Brooklyn has just wore one of my printed tees (see picture) – that’s really an honor to me as she’s really talented, with a one-of-a-kind voice and great lyrics. The same shirt is also featured on the current cover of Proud magazine (see picture).

stylistberlin: What inspires you most when you take pictures?
Robert: Silent moments… when people are totally with themselves and don’t attend the camera. And real moments… besides any affected attitude. But even if it’s posed I try to make it look like an authentic moment. I’m not very much into excessive productions. Keeping it real!

stylistberlin: The most important thing when it comes to photography? 
Robert: To just feel the picture I take + I’m always looking for a visual challenge, a compositional highlight. If both fits it’s a real me, I think.

stylistberlin: Is there a favourite place in Berlin you like to shoot pictures?
Robert: At last I’ve often went to the Tempelhofer Flughafengelände, but I don’t think there’s a particular place that I do favor. It depends very much on the idea if there’s an idea. Otherwise I try to make the best from the place and situation I’m in. You can make it everywhere if you’re up to it.

stylistberlin: With what kind of tools do you like to work with?
Robert: Well, interesting is what you are not able to see, having your own imagination. Like I’m very much into anonymous pictures that are very personal in parallel: like silouhettes, profiles, hidden and bright flashed faces, the back of people or simply just feet/shoes.

stylistberlin: What was the worst situation while working as a professional photographer?
Robert: I would never blame photography for being worse, but it happens sometimes that you’re faced with a very weird behavior of people you work with. Unfortunately for these kind of people work means a bondage and they exact all their ego boost from it, that means they will never allow anyone else being part of it. That’s sometimes suffocating. But you need to learn to cope with that and not to allow anyone making photography worse. It’s sometimes a fight to win.

stylistberlin: Do you have a favourite picture that you took?
Robert: It’s actually a snapshot of Angus from Angus & Julia Stone, that I took when I joined the band backstage for one of their live-shows in Amsterdam (see picture). It’s the very last picture that I’ve taken this evening… Angus just came back from the stage and was walking into the dressing room to grap a drink… He’s a very shy guy, likely hiding behind his long hair and a hat. To capture him from behind and keep his identity with a little bit of anonymity makes it very intense to me. I very much emphasize with him and I’m a big supporter of their music.

stylistberlin: Anyone or anything you want to work with / take pictures from in the future?
Robert: I like collaboration with other people. Let’s see what the future brings…

stylistberlin: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Robert: Well, just to remain true to myself but to be open to whatever might come…

THANKS!

…. ABOUT ROBERT KLEBENOW

. Name: Robert Klebenow
. Date of birth (age): 03/31/1985 (26 years old)
. Live where (district), reason for chosing the place: I have been living in Mitte for three years, but directly located to Kreuzberg – it’s a quite area, close to everywhere I need to go in Berlin.
. Relationship status: a little bit in love right now
. Children: not yet, even though I like children

. Occupation: Photographer
. Label: Robert Klebenow
. Online appearance: http://klebenow.de, http://klebenow.tumblr.com

. Anything else we missed…
Still need to finish my tax computation for last year… that pressures me a lot right now as I’m already months too late.