Directors

Ilka & Franz

Ilka & Franz are a German/Austrian photographer and director duo based in London (UK). Their colourful and brave yet super neat visual language has seen the pair attract the attention of clients across the globe including Amazon, HP, IKEA, Nivea, Vodafone and many more. 

Their work blurs the lines between portraiture and still life and while their unmistakable use of colour is vibrant and bold, their conceptual undertones are often subtle and of child-like naivety. Energetic, youthful, and fun, Ilka & Franz's work makes you smile instantly. The duo draw their inspiration from pop culture, kitsch and surrealism as well as fashion and interiors as they put a playful spin on the ordinary.

Working with them is a great party from start to finish. These two are all about detail and preparation and a lot of work goes into each project before the actual shoot day. Set design, props, styling, colours and concepts, Ilka & Franz love being closely involved in every aspect of their shoots. Once on set, the two are flexible, great at thinking on the spot and getting the best out of every situation. Although you will see both Franz and Ilka behind the camera, each of them brings their own set of skills. Franz is a practical problem-solver who stays calm under pressure, while Ilka is the duo's critical eye and colour-pairing neat-freak. Mostly self-taught, this team keeps developing and pushing the boundaries - Anything is possible with these two! 

CLIENTS:

Adidas, Amazon Kindle, Audi Magazine, Avon, Breast Cancer Now, Cadbury, Cosmopolitan, Dairylea, EasyJet Traveller, Guardian Weekend, Halifax, HP, IKEA, KaDeWe, N26, Nivea, Observer Magazine, Onken Yogurts, Public Health England, SanDisk, Der Spiegel, SurveyMonkey, Vodafone, Wired UK & DE, Women’s Health Magazine, Die Zeit & many more.

AWARDS:

2021 Sony World Photography Awards - Shortlist (Portfolio & Creative Category)
AOP Awards 2020 - Finalist
Production Paradise Spotlight Awards 2020 - Shortlist 
2020 Prix de la Photographie de Paris (PX3) - Gold - Fine Art/ Still Life, 2nd place - Fine Art & Honourable Mention 
International Photography Awards (IPA) 2019 - Honourable Mention 
Prix de la Photographie (PX3) 2019 - Honourable Mention
One Eyeland Awards 2018 - Finalist
International Photography Awards (IPA) 2018 - Honourable Mention
Production Paradise Spotlight Awards 2018 - Shortlist 
Prix de la Photographie (PX3) 2018 - Bronze
Moscow International Foto Awards 2018 - 2nd Place
2017 Tokyo International Foto Awards - Silver & Honourable Mention
One Eyeland Awards 2017 - Silver
GoSee Awards 2017 - Finalist
PDN The Look 2017 - First Place
Prix de la Photographie (PX3) 2017 - Honourable Mention
Magenta Foundation Flash Forward 2017 - Winner
2017 PDN Objects of Desire - Winner
One Eyeland Awards 2016 - Finalist
One Life Awards 2016 - First Place
PDN Faces 2016 - First Prize
GoSee Awards 2016 - Finalist
One Eyeland Awards 2015 - Finalist