Meet the artist

Phillip Kaminiak

Phillip Kaminiak, a German-Polish photographer and filmmaker based in Mexico City, has a background in filmmaking, with his short films and TV series showcased internationally. After producing over 400 commercials and music videos, he expanded into photography, collaborating with music magazines, artists, and fashion brands, while still directing films. His personal work blends street, portrait, and documentary styles, capturing intimate and unusual moments. Phillip's analog images evoke curiosity, offering a quiet exploration of the human experience. He has quickly risen in his career, with films shown at top festivals. Recently, he won the German Television Award for Best Cinematography for The Zweiflers, which also earned Best Series at Canneseries 2024. Expanding into photography and film direction, Phillip’s video art piece After Hours was featured in the renowned C/O Berlin gallery, alongside artists like Wolfgang Tillmans, as part of the exhibition No Photos on the Dance Floor! Berlin 1989-Today.

Works by Phillip Kaminiak

More by Phillip Kaminiak

Deep talk with the artist

Your art is…

Funny, weird and obscure (I guess)

Name something you love, and why.

I love dogs. They are the better humans.

Which professional success meant the most to you?

Any kind of success doesn’t mean anything in the moment of reaching it anymore.

If the process and effort to get anywhere is the success or goal, then the success is actually not much anymore.

Could you eat pancakes for a whole week?

No.

Analog or Digital?

Analog ! Fucking hell ! Fuckin Analog !

Where do you go when you want to be with you?

On a walk. (Alone)

Tell us something about your education

Grew up in a working class / immigrant household. Bad at school, suffering in high school, and finally found sense and salvation at the art section of my high school. Worked for 4 years in bars and factories, as food delivery guy (before Uber Eats), kitchen helper, furniture mover, before going to Film School. There I received my final salvation.But my actual education I always received through people that I met, which brought somethingnew to my life, something I haven’t seen before. That was very rarely school teachers.

A question that moves you right now

Is this really the beginning of the end ? Right now ?

Why photography?

I was always a huge fan of making music. It’s the most direct translation of an emotion into sound and art. Photography is the same but not for emotions but more for observations. For how you „see“ the world. It’s the proof that not everybody sees the same. It’s a freeze of your individual reality that only you can see. No one else. That’s quite beautiful.

What was the weirdest encounter, the craziest adventure or the most beautiful moment you experienced on a shoot?

In both, film and photo shoots, people where doing the most disgusting things I have ever seen (in front of my camera). Putting an old school telephone in their ass, drinking urin, etc. The most beautiful things that I have seen I couldn’t photograph because I was too late. I was only sometimes on time for the weird moments.

Form or content?

Fontent.

What part of the human face is your favorite?

Nose.

Where does your inspiration live?

In great artists that I obsessively study.

What would you do if you weren't afraid?

Rockstar.