True Grit
05
A Portrait of the
Techno Collective
Praxis 13.5
Client Project
Portrait Photography
Artist
Praxis 13.5
Year
2024
Mission
Praxis 13.5’s success created a need for a visual identity that not only reflects their distinct style and artistic vision but also, for the first time, unifies the collective under a cohesive visual brand.
Outcome
Together, we crafted a striking set of black-and-white portraits, capturing both the collective as a whole and each DJ individually. The final images reflect the raw, industrial, and urban essence of their music, while giving the collective a timeless, fresh, standout look.
A rising force
Praxis 13.5 is a rising force in the hard industrial techno scene, based in Leipzig, Germany. This collective of four resident DJs—Atalanta, Neptune, Nachtigall, and Hypnosta—has quickly established a name for themselves, not only locally but across the nation. In just six months, their regular events have drawn a dedicated audience, positioning them among the most sought-after acts in the city’s thriving techno culture. The group’s performances reflect the raw, intense energy of the industrial techno genre, and they continue to gain momentum with every show.
As their presence grew, the need for a unified visual identity became apparent. Each DJ had a distinct personality and style, but the group was yet to establish a cohesive image that represented Praxis 13.5 as a collective entity. Their brand needed to reflect their sound—dark, gritty, and industrial—while also capturing their individuality and energy as artists.
“Not only did Simon execute the photoshoot flawlessly, but his calm and friendly manner made us feel extremely comfortable throughout. This certainly won’t be the last time we work with him. The results are wonderful. Thank you, Simon!”
Atalanta, Nachtigall and Neptune (Praxis 13.5)
The project’s goal was clear: unifying the group under a cohesive visual brand for the first time.
This was not simply about creating press shots for Praxis 13.5–but about crafting a visual narrative that would reflect their music’s industrial edge. capture the essence of Praxis 13.5 as a group and showcase each DJ’s unique presence.
Atalanta
Nachtigall
Neptune
The day before the shoot, I prepared two detailed mood boards: one for the individual portraits and another for the group shots. I drew inspiration from some of my favorite black-and-white photographers, including Anton Corbijn and Jetmir Idrizi, who specialize in the raw, high-contrast style I envisioned for Praxis 13.5. The aim was to create a set of images that mirrored the intensity of their sound with a timeless, gritty aesthetic.
On the day of the shoot, we hit a minor snag when Hypnosta had to cancel last minute. Despite this, we moved forward with Atalanta, Neptune, and Nachtigall. I had scouted two locations that matched the industrial vibe we were going for: a derelict train hall and the exterior of a large industrial building called “Kohlrabizirkus.” Both locations provided the raw, textured backdrop we needed to complement their aesthetic.
The locations provided the raw, textured backdrop we needed to complement the aesthetic.
A mixture of digital and analogue.
I incorporated both digital and analogue photography into the shoot, marking my first experiment with blending these two mediums. The group was incredibly easy to work with, bringing high energy and natural chemistry to every shot, which made the process smooth and creative.
The final result was a striking collection of black-and-white portraits that captured both the collective identity and the individuality of each DJ.
Each DJ brought their own energy to the session, and the use of both digital and analogue photography added depth and texture to the final images. The digital images were edited to emulate the high contrast, grainy aesthetic of traditional analogue prints, with sharp contrasts and rich textures that mirrored the collective’s industrial sound.
