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In Conversation: Johanna-Maria Fritz
In Conversation: Johanna-Maria Fritz
April 15, 2025
View of Manhattan from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, September 11, 2001, NYC, USA, © Thomas Hoepker/Magnum Photos
In celebration of Leica’s 100th anniversary, the Leica Gallery in Munich is presenting the exhibition, In Conversation: A Photographic Dialogue between Jürgen Schadeberg and Johanna-Maria Fritz, opening April 19, 2025. Selections by the two German photographers will be on display. In this interview, Fritz talks about how diverse works by Leica Hall of Fame award winners have influenced her creativity, and which pictures inspire her in particular.
Johanna-Maria Fritz: "The work of LHOF winners has had a significant impact on my perspective as a photographer. I’m especially pleased that Herlinde Koelbl and Barbara Klemm have received this award. Their images have accompanied me throughout my career, shaping my understanding of storytelling and visual depth.
I remember being at Barbara Klemm’s exhibition at the Gropius Bau in Berlin, when I was a young photographer. Somewhere, I’d heard that she was often seen as non-threatening or even underestimated. That resonated deeply with me. As a woman, it’s often easier to gain access – people let down their guard. I share that experience and see it as both an opportunity and a responsibility in my work.
Jürgen Schadeberg and I share a commitment to documenting history and human resilience. His work captured South Africa’s Apartheid era, focusing on oppression and resistance, while I explore marginalized communities and conflict zones globally, often highlighting women’s experiences. Though our styles reflect different eras, we both use photography as a tool for storytelling and change. This exhibition creates a dialogue between past and present struggles, showing how images can preserve history and give voice to those often overlooked.
One of the images that stands out for me is Thomas Hoepker’s 9/11 photograph (2001), showing a group of young people in Brooklyn sitting casually as the Twin Towers burn in the background. The contrast between the unfolding tragedy and their seemingly relaxed posture sparked intense debate about detachment, perspective, and how history is perceived in real time. I find this image powerful because it challenges our expectations of how disaster should be visually represented, making it a deeply thought-provoking photograph.
Another striking image is Barbara Klemm’s Bruderkuss (1979). It captures the embrace between Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East German leader Erich Honecker during the 30th anniversary of the German Democratic Republic. The photograph symbolizes Cold War politics, political theatre, and the close but fragile ties between the Soviet Union and East Germany. I admire it for its perfect timing, composition, and ability to turn a fleeting political moment into a historical icon."
Johanna-Maria Fritz: "The work of LHOF winners has had a significant impact on my perspective as a photographer. I’m especially pleased that Herlinde Koelbl and Barbara Klemm have received this award. Their images have accompanied me throughout my career, shaping my understanding of storytelling and visual depth.
I remember being at Barbara Klemm’s exhibition at the Gropius Bau in Berlin, when I was a young photographer. Somewhere, I’d heard that she was often seen as non-threatening or even underestimated. That resonated deeply with me. As a woman, it’s often easier to gain access – people let down their guard. I share that experience and see it as both an opportunity and a responsibility in my work.
Jürgen Schadeberg and I share a commitment to documenting history and human resilience. His work captured South Africa’s Apartheid era, focusing on oppression and resistance, while I explore marginalized communities and conflict zones globally, often highlighting women’s experiences. Though our styles reflect different eras, we both use photography as a tool for storytelling and change. This exhibition creates a dialogue between past and present struggles, showing how images can preserve history and give voice to those often overlooked.
One of the images that stands out for me is Thomas Hoepker’s 9/11 photograph (2001), showing a group of young people in Brooklyn sitting casually as the Twin Towers burn in the background. The contrast between the unfolding tragedy and their seemingly relaxed posture sparked intense debate about detachment, perspective, and how history is perceived in real time. I find this image powerful because it challenges our expectations of how disaster should be visually represented, making it a deeply thought-provoking photograph.
Another striking image is Barbara Klemm’s Bruderkuss (1979). It captures the embrace between Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East German leader Erich Honecker during the 30th anniversary of the German Democratic Republic. The photograph symbolizes Cold War politics, political theatre, and the close but fragile ties between the Soviet Union and East Germany. I admire it for its perfect timing, composition, and ability to turn a fleeting political moment into a historical icon."
Text: Johanna-Maria Fritz; Photos: © Thomas Hoepker/Magnum Photos, © Barbara Klemm
In Conversation+-
The exhibition at the Leica Gallery Munich runs from April 19 to July 12, 2025.
View of Manhattan from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, September 11, 2001, NYC, USA, © Thomas Hoepker/Magnum Photos
Bruderkuss, Berlin, Germany 1979, © Barbara Klemm