CHRISTIAN ANDERL
PHOTOGRAPHY WAS not Christian Anderl’s first choice of career. Among his seven previous jobs were roles in hotel management, architecture and a host on Austria’s leading radio station. He also had a stint in military service. Now firmly established as one of his country’s best-known portrait photographers, does Christian think any of his former jobs had a positive impact on his photography? “All of them did in one way or another,” he replies. “Interesting photographs tell interesting stories, so I guess everything you go through, learn or experience can only improve your photography and your ability to tell better stories.”
Of greater significance was the day nearly 10 years ago when a doctor told him that he might not have long to live. Christian was in his mid-30s when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2012. As you would expect, this news provoked a lot of soul-searching questions, and at a time when his photography career had barely started. “If a doctor once told you ‘it’s good to have you here, otherwise you’d only have one year to live’, a few things suddenly go through your head,” he says. “Why am I actually doing all this? How do I contribute something important? What else do I want to do before it’s really over?” Today, Christian can look back on a decade with plenty of impressive achievements, including becoming a father to two sons. And his passion for photography remains stronger than ever…
How did photography initially begin for you?
