Fotografin Natalia van der Smissen

As a specialist in application photography and business portraits, I—photographer Natalia van der Smissen—help people present themselves convincingly with a single image. My approach combines artistic training with technical expertise: as a trained artist with over five years of professional experience, I create portraits that make personality, competence and presence visible. Why choose me? I work with high-quality lighting equipment, a mobile studio and hand-painted canvas backdrops, enabling professional application photos anywhere. My work has been internationally recognised (including VOGUE and 35AWARDS), reflecting a refined sense for expression and atmosphere. The result: portraits that build trust and perform strongly in applications, on LinkedIn or Xing. My process is personal and structured: in a pre-session consultation we define your goals, the desired impression and the right look. I advise on outfit, styling and visual language so your photo communicates exactly what you intend. During the shoot I create a relaxed environment with subtle guidance rather than forced posing—soft, purposeful lighting instead of harsh flashes—so authentic, confident images emerge. Whether you need a traditional application photo, a contemporary business portrait for LinkedIn/Xing, or an image that supports you in interviews, I tailor style and retouching individually. I can bring the mobile studio to you, or we can shoot at my space or a suitable location in Lübeck, Hamburg and the surrounding area. My goal is images with presence. I want you to recognise yourself in your application photo—and for recruiters and clients to immediately perceive professionalism and trustworthiness. If you value deliberate visual storytelling and want an application photo that works, I’m happy to advise you personally and without obligation.