Head of the week: Photographers in the viewfinder

 
Maria Schönbucher has managed art buying and pulled off photo productions at many agencies. Now she is self-employed. 
Maria Schönbucher has been behind the camera for more than 20 years. Not at the presser, though. Her preferred place is behind the photographer's back. GGK, Advico Young & Rubicam, WHS, Wirz, Studio Achermann, Publicis, Jung von Matt, Spillmann Felser Leo Burnett, Krieg Schlupp Bürge/Springer & Jacoby: Maria Schönbucher has been in charge of art buying for all these agencies, either permanently or as a freelancer. Since the beginning of this year, she has also been increasingly involved in production for photographers. Her invisible help behind the cameras can currently be "seen" in campaigns such as that of Axpo with national trainer Köbi Kuhn or Migros' engagement by Publicis.
"I enjoy organizing the sets and processes, even for unusual or difficult shoots, so that it works on all levels," Schönbucher says of the challenges of her new job. Most of the time, production management starts with booking a photographer and fixing the dates. Then the costs are determined, locations are scouted, models are booked or street casting is organized. Organizing the right stylist is also one of Schönbucher's tasks.
Since then, this collaboration has worked so well with several photographers that Schönbucher has been approached for a partnership that will continue. This has now led to the founding of her own agency. This offers the official representation of the photographers Christian Ammann, Markus Bertschi and Noë Flum on the website www.schoenbucherfotografen.ch. Schönbucher does not only provide these photographers to advertising agencies or print media. The new agency wants to offer depending upon need as support of the picture artists also as complete a service as possible with the production. "Before, my photographers mostly did it themselves. Now they appreciate that they can use their time for creative work." Since photographers are also often abroad on reportage, they can continue to count on a representative of the agency during their absence, which does not let the contact break off with customers or potential clients.
For such a service, you need a good feeling for each other. "You have to know each other. The trust level is very important for me," Schönbucher explains. And: "I build on relationships that have grown over many years. I have already worked with the three photographers on many productions. That was the entry point. Now the final step has been added for an official cooperation."
With her so far three photographers Maria Schönbucher does not move in a certain niche, but offers the whole spectrum across the world of images.
Noë Flum does traditional advertising and also does a lot of editorial work. "This balance is important to him." You can see his pictures regularly in the magazine or internationally also in Vanity Fair. In the field of advertising, Flum has photographed the Migros-Engagement campaign as well as Axpo or Swiss Life, for example. For Freitag bags, he was just in Japan to photograph a new product. The Zurich Freitags have in the meantime achieved cult status there.
In addition to advertising, editorial contributions and architecture, Markus Bertschi mainly takes pictures in the CI area, such as annual reports. He is currently photographing a series with employees for Swiss television. For
annual reports of companies such as UBS and Schindler-Lifte, he has traveled around the world.
Christian Ammann often works for editorial and advertising in London. His clients there include fashion companies such as Bench Streetwear and Selfridges. He now wants to become more active in this area in Switzerland as well. "The offer is interesting for advertisers with a fashion and style requirement," explains the agent.
And how did Maria Schönbucher get into this multi-layered world of images?
As was the case with many in advertising at the time, her career began with a lateral move as a junior assistant. "That became a good self-taught training," says Schönbucher, looking back with gratitude on her time at GGK Zurich. After a few years, Schönbucher had the chance to move into art buying at Advico Young & Rubicam. To this end, she was Hansjörg Zürcher's personal assistant. Back at Hermann Strittmatter, she further developed the art of art buying at Mühle Tiefenbrunnen and then moved to WHS. Wirz Werbung and Studio Achermann were the further stations. In the meantime already self-employed, Schönbucher also supervised the art buying of the newly launched Migros magazine at Achermann and, for the introduction of the new picture language in 2004, also took over the management of the picture editing at short notice.
When asked about her work philosophy, Maria Schönbucher remarks: "I see every job as a new challenge and go to work with the same commitment every time, regardless of how big or how small the job is. Of course, my experience comes in handy every day."
Maria Schönbucher also loves photography - "but only as a hobby. She is also passionate about diving. In terms of sports, she loves training at the boxing club. However, only for fitness and without any intention to fight.
Andreas Panzeri