SIYU personal

Basel-based photographer Tobias Sutter (born 1970) has been working as a freelance photographer at Walzwerk in Münchenstein (BL) since 1998. After training at the School of Design in Basel in the 1990s, assisting photographers in the Swiss art, advertising and fashion scene, and spending time with food photographers Eisenhut & Mayer in Vienna, he followed a call to New York to work with art and scene photographer Alex Kayser, among others.

Sutter loves people – whether he is photographing a street magazine seller, a company CEO or food. But his photographic interests also extend to the music scene, with stage shots, portraits of musicians and festival-goers. Tobias photographs on behalf of companies, organisations and advertising agencies. In 2009, he was nominated for the Swiss Photo Award – ewz selection – together with Andreas Zimmermann, and since 2018 he has been a lecturer for Leica Camera Switzerland. Tobias also exhibits regularly.

What motivated you to become a photographer? I have always been fascinated by people – their stories, their charisma, their authenticity. With my camera, I can capture the moment. Every person has something special. My motivation is to make that visible.
 
What fascinates you about photography? I am fascinated by the fact that you can tell an entire story with a single image – almost like a song in visual form. For me, photography is a mixture of intuition, encounter and craftsmanship. Especially with musicians, I love capturing that creative flow that arises between sound and image. When it turns into something real and touching, that's pure magic for me.
 
You've been working as a photographer for more than two decades. How has photography changed for you? A lot has changed, especially the speed. I used to take more time, but today everything happens instantly and digitally. Nevertheless, at its core, it's still the same: it's still about people, emotion and trust. Technology and trends come and go, but genuine interest remains. It will be exciting to see what else will emerge in the near future.
 
The motif ‘Life and work: encounters on equal terms’ accompanies your work. How does this influence your photographs? For me, ‘encounters on equal terms’ means treating people with genuine interest and respect. Hans Zimmer once said to me: ‘Music connects people – it doesn't matter what their background, colour or religion is.’ That touched me deeply and has accompanied me in my work ever since. I want to convey this feeling of connection and equality through my pictures.
 

How does music influence your visual language? Music has a big influence on my work. It is often the emotional trigger for a mood or an image idea. A song can evoke a certain atmosphere in me. When I'm taking photos, I think less technically and more in terms of rhythms and melodies. Music helps me strike the right note in my images – in the truest sense of the word.

Do you also work on special projects such as ‘KISU – Your ideas into motion’? With ‘KISU’, we turn stories into films that touch people, especially in the form of music videos. We accompany our clients from the initial idea to the finished film with passion, experience and a keen sense for the right visual language. Some of our music videos have won awards, which makes us very happy. It shows how powerful storytelling can be when everything comes together.

And the TNT Art Project? The project is a labour of love for Thomas Dürr, ‘the man with the brush’, founder and CEO of Act Entertainment AG, and me, ‘the man behind the lens’. Together, we combine our passion for music and art by colouring black-and-white photographs, giving them a new, emotional dimension. We create works that bring music to life visually – colourful, vibrant and unique. Our goal is to capture the energy and soul of music in images and share it with others as accessible, moving art.

Your studio is located in Walzwerk, a former industrial site. What drew you to this area? I was immediately captivated by the special atmosphere of Walzwerk – this mix of industrial charm, creativity and life. There are exciting people from different fields here, which inspires me. There is room for ideas, encounters and spontaneous collaboration. This environment suits my way of working perfectly.

How do you benefit from SIYU? I have been a member since my apprenticeship and particularly appreciate the community and the open exchange among like-minded people. During the coronavirus pandemic, the association was a great support – I never felt alone. Events on topics such as artificial intelligence are also exciting and inspiring. If I have any legal or professional questions, I know that I am in good hands.