The Invisible Art of Theater Photography: What you learn behind the curtain
Why Theater Photography Demands More Than Technical Skill
Here still before the performance - this time I was able to photograph during (!) the show - a rare privilege.
Theater is ephemeral. Every performance exists only in that one moment, for that one audience. My job as a theater photographer? To capture that transience - while remaining as invisible as possible.
The Paradox of My Work
Sounds like a contradiction, but it isn't: I need to be close enough to catch the decisive moment. At the same time, I must not destroy the magic on stage. A click at the wrong moment can ruin a punchline. A flash? Unthinkable.
"Keeping up with the Penthesileas" at Kosmos Theater
Theater in der Josefstadt
In my photography, I also pay close attention to the stage design and its lighting - and not only when it's particularly impressive:
Burgtheater - Where History Meets Craft
During my backstage visit at the Burgtheater, I got to see areas that few people ever do: the fly loft high above the stage, the corridors behind the scenes, the dressing rooms with the golden costumes for "jedermann (stirbt)."
The Burgtheater is more than a building or a venue. It's a living organism of history, craft, and vision. If you understand that, you photograph differently.
Volkstheater - Tradition and Modernity
My documentation of the Volkstheater for the "In Transition" program by Foto Arsenal Wien was an eye-opener. The fly loft, which until recently was still operated manually. The old Pfaff sewing machines in the costume workshop. The prop rooms that rest between performances.
A lot of the technical magic happens above the stage.
Theater an der Wien and Neue Oper Wien
At "The Visit of the Old Lady" at the Theater an der Wien, I got a behind-the-scenes look at a venue known for bold productions. Here, I was even allowed to photograph during the performance.
At Neue Oper Wien - an independent opera company without its own opera house or permanent ensemble, focusing on modern, rarely performed, or new operas as well as world and Austrian premieres - I was invited to accompany rehearsals for "Angels in America" and photograph conductor Prof. Walter Kobera at work.
Backstage area at Theater an der Wien.
What I've Learned Behind the Scenes
Over the years, I've had the privilege of accessing the backstage areas of Vienna's greatest theaters. That has shaped me as a photographer.
Timing is everything. In theater as in photography. I've learned to read the rhythm of a performance. To sense the pauses between scenes. To anticipate the moment before it happens. No scene is repeated for the photographer if he misses it...
Respect for the craft. Every performance rests on the shoulders of dozens of people: stagehands, costume designers, lighting technicians, makeup artists. My backstage photography honors this work that otherwise goes unseen. That's why my focus isn't only on the star in the lead role but also on stage design and lighting.
Discretion is not optional. At the Nestroy Gala, in 2018 for example, I documented the Nestroy Gala, where Austria's most prominent theater artists gather. There's no room for pushiness to force a photo for the press. Unlike press photographers, I was hired by the venue itself.
The grand staircase of the Burgtheater - where history is written.
What to Look for in a Theater Photographer
If you're looking for someone for your theater production, opera premiere, or backstage documentation, ask yourself:
- Does he understand how a theater operates? Does he know when restraint is called for?
- Does he have experience with challenging lighting situations? Stage lighting follows its own rules.
- Can he work unobtrusively? The performance takes priority, not the photo. Loud-clicking DSLR cameras are a no-go.
- Does he respect the craft? Theater is teamwork, and the photographer should see himself as part of that team.
Johannes Seilern as Lorenz in The Farmer as Millionaire at the Josefstadt
What Professional Theater Photography Delivers
It's about more than pretty pictures. Theater photography provides archival material for theater history, press photos for media and marketing, documentation of the artistic process, and production stills for funding bodies and sponsors.
At the End of the Day
Anyone can take a photo of a stage - with modern cameras, that's no longer a challenge. But capturing the soul of a performance - the sweat on a brow, the concentration on stage as well as backstage, the magical moment when the lights come on - that requires someone who understands and loves theater.
Planning a premiere, a backstage documentation, or a theater project? Get in touch - I bring not only my camera and technical skills, but also my understanding of your art.
Further reading: Why Cultural Institutions Need a Specialized Event Photographer
Burgtheater
Backstage at the Burgtheater - Architectural Photography (2018)
Volkstheater
Backstage at the Volkstheater Vienna (2025)
Theater in der Josefstadt
Backstage at Theater in der Josefstadt (2018)
The Farmer as Millionaire - Theater Photography (2018)
Kammerspiele Wien
Behind the Scenes: Kammerspiele Wien (2017)
Theater an der Wien
Backstage: The Visit of the Old Lady (2018)
Neue Oper Wien
Backstage at "Angels in America" at the MQ (2019)
Nestroy Gala (Theater an der Wien / Ronacher)
Nestroy Awards 2018 - Red Carpet, Gala, After-Show Party
Nestroy Gala 2021 - The Best Photos