Breaking Boundaries: How Photography Duo Gert and Gisela Bring Playfulness and Power to Modern Portraiture

Gert and Gisela, a photography duo from Germany, are turning heads with their approach to portraiture, offering an irreverent, humorous take on themes that often risk falling into clichés. Inspired by iconic photographers like Helmut Newton, they bring a fresh vision to intimate imagery, using playful setups and luxurious backdrops to provoke thought, laughter, and exploration. Their works, set in high-end hotel suites, private residences, and even unconventional spaces like parking lots, elevate and amuse at the same time, letting viewers witness moments of bold self-expression. But for Gert and Gisela, it’s about more than just aesthetics; they’re redefining empowerment and equality in art, celebrating a sense of joyful, independent humanity.

“We’re here to have fun with it,” Gert says, laughing. “There’s this sense that sensual photography has to be serious, heavy-handed — but we’re here to disrupt that. We crack up at our own photos sometimes. We want people to enjoy these images, to feel a sense of freedom and humor in them.” The result is an experience that feels alive, almost burlesque, in the sense that it playfully exaggerates the ideas of luxury and allure.

Gisela adds, “This isn’t about one person gazing at another. The women in our work are every bit on par with their counterparts. Our goal is to break the narrative of dependence or expectation and show confidence and freedom.”

An Equal Collaboration

This sense of balance defines not only their art but also their partnership. Originally a model and competitive fencer, Gisela brings a unique perspective, having spent years observing and inhabiting others’ artistic visions before becoming a full collaborator with Gert. Now, she directs as much as she poses, and she is as likely to turn the camera on Gert as she is on herself, celebrating both masculinity and femininity on equal terms. “We studied the great photographers, the classical poses,” she explains, “but after a while, we had to ask: why is the burden so often on women to be on display? Where’s the man? And why not laugh a little?”

Their images play with this balance in unexpected ways. “Imagine a woman driving her car in a parking lot, free of the gaze, just doing her own thing,” says Gert. “Or even little moments — a can of Diet Coke mixed in with the Veuve Clicquot. It’s about embracing little toys, little joys, things that let you let your guard down and explore.”

It’s clear that their relationship is one of mutual vision, of seeing through the other’s eyes. “In photography, it’s a visual experience, yes, but we have to hear each other, see how the other sees,” says Gert. This sense of collaboration and respect creates a dynamism in their work, drawing viewers in while allowing for interpretation and introspection.

Honoring and Disrupting Tradition

Gert and Gisela don’t shy away from the classics, but they engage with them in a way that is modern, sometimes ironic and always slightly subversive. This approach is seen in their choice of tools: a mix of digital and vintage cameras that allow them to capture moments with a dreamy, timeless quality. Their use of an antique 100-year-old Kodak camera creates images reminiscent of Post-Impressionist paintings —images that are both ethereal and rooted in the traditions of fine art.

“There’s a certain reverence in what we do,” Gert says, “but it’s a reverence that’s a little cheeky, a little provocative. Picasso once joked, ‘When is it art? When the check clears.’ We like to ask ourselves, ‘When is it art?’ when we’ve made someone stop and think, when they’re drawn in but also amused or surprised.” Gert explains that they want their work to take viewers out of their comfort zones — but in a way that feels inviting rather than confrontational. “This is art that respects the past but also brings it to life, nudging it a bit forward. We want people to see themselves in it, to let it pull them forward and back.”

Elevating the Viewer’s Experience

The duo’s recent exhibition, Gert+Gisela, debuted at New York’s Gallery 71 and honored Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center. While the exhibit embraces provocative themes, it is, at its core, about empowerment and reflection, encouraging viewers to question societal expectations while engaging in a visual experience that is as accessible as it is refined.

“We want the viewer to step into a world where confidence, courage, and playfulness come alive,” says Gisela. “It’s about independence, vision, and letting the images invite you to laugh a little, maybe even lower your guard.” The exhibition’s impact lies in its ability to connect across a broad spectrum of emotions and thoughts, allowing each image to speak for itself. “Art is about inviting people to lose themselves in the experience,” she continues, “not about narrowing in on one interpretation. We want each person to find their own moment in our work.”

In an era of polished perfection, Gert and Gisela bring a refreshing, authentic perspective that is bold and thought-provoking, yet inherently joyful. Their work reminds us that art can be both serious and lighthearted, challenging and fun — a celebration of life’s intricate dance. Their images are not just about seeing but about feeling, allowing viewers to engage with ideas of empowerment and intimacy in new and unexpected ways. Through their lens, Gert and Gisela offer a world of small freedoms and moments of connection, reminding us that sometimes, the most powerful art is the kind that makes us smile.