Schaper4USP : BOLD magazine, THE PLATZ magazine, LEONCE magazine, ESSENCE magazine - new editorials from Tokyo and Berlin

December 2011 and January 2012 have seen the release of a whole series of editorials by photographer Dirk SCHAPER and we are delighted to present them here on GoSee.

For example, the 'Tears in a Taxi' editorial for BOLD Magazine, photographed in Tokyo with outfits by Agent Provocateur and Unrath Strano.

Or the 'Get Higher Baby' editorial and cover for THE PLATZ magazine, photographed on the most beautiful roofs to be found on the unique Potsdamer Platz in the heart of Berlin.

Dirk and his team carried out a shoot in a love hotel in Tokyo for a series in LEONCE magazine. The series is accompanied by an interview with the Berlin-based photographer, which you can read and enjoy in full in a translation of the original transcript right here:

Last but not least, Dirk photographed the editorial 'Look at me' and the 'Beauty and desire' cover of ESSENCE Magazine. See images attached.



Leonce interview with Dirk Schaper on "Sehnsucht Tokio":
Photographer Dirk Schaper had a dream: he wanted to tell the love story of two women in his photographs – set in the heart of Tokyo, a location the 45-year old native of Berlin had never set foot in before. A conversation about Love Hotels, hospitality and the secrets of Japanese culture.

Mr. Schaper, the photo series that you brought home from Japan can be seen on the following pages. What is the underlying idea of the production?
It's about a love story between two women. I have never been to Japan before and knew I definitely wanted to realise this photo series in Japan.

You chose one of the famous 'Love Hotels' for the location. Why?

I saw the film 'Map of the Sounds of Tokyo', which is based in a Love Hotel. Love Hotels can be found all over Tokyo and on every corner. The reason is as simple as it is practical: due to the fact that living space is extremely scarce, most families live with their parents, grandparents and children under one and the same roof. Love Hotels make sure that couples can find space to withdraw, where they can kick back and be undisturbed for a few hours. The hotel featured in our photographs and its mundane 1970s chic sadly is one of the remaining few held in the old style. The new, modern spaces are mostly themed hotels: from Disneyland to Italian lagoon.

To be perfectly honest, Love Hotels still sound a bit like brothels . . .

That impression is misleading, one has nothing to do with the other. Prostitutes would never be allowed into a love hotel. Love hotels are exclusively for real couples – men and women. Even our photo history about two women was quite a transgression of taboos. Homosexuals are not a reality in the public sphere, they would not be able to book a room.

The two women on your photographs appear strong and self-confident. Yet, Japan is also famous for its numerous incarnations of prostitution. Is Tokyo one of the few existing male fantasies that actually exist?
As far as commercial sex is concerned, there are most certainly differences in regards to our culture. One example: the hotel where I stayed is located right in the middle of the business quarter. As soon as is gets dark, the whole area transforms into a red light district. Whenever business men in Japan close a deal, it is considered good manners to subsequently invite your business associates to a brothel. A male fantasy? Not as much as a cultural custom. Times are changing however. Young Japanese women are increasingly influenced by western habits. They want their husbands sitting at home in the evening – just like we do.

Now that one year has passed since the Fukushima catastrophe, how have you been received as a European in Tokyo?

The candour and hospitality of the Japanese people has left a deep impression on me. Of course, you cannot help but attract attention as a European. You cannot decipher signs and hardly read a menu. Whenever I threw a few insecure glances up and down the area – be it in a restaurant, hotel or the street – a local person offered to help me out.

You need a big team to tackle an elaborate photography production like this. Did you bring your whole team from Germany?

Nope. I made the deliberate decision to work with a team consisting solely of Japanese professionals. About ten people, from the production company to hair & make-up. All highly disciplined, perfectly skilled for their jobs and they have a knack for making you feel like you are part of the family. However, it was nigh impossible to track down Japanese models who would be willing to have their picture taken in underwear. It seems to be considered quite improper. That is why the two girls on the photographs are half Japanese, half Korean.

Thanks a lot for the chat!

Dirk Schaper (*1996) has been working as a freelance photographer for international advertising clients for 20 years, including Coca-Cola, Wella and Mercedes. He also works as a fashion and beauty photographer for well-known magazines. Furthermore, he is involved in a handful of charity projects. Schaper lives with his lovely wife and two kids in Berlin.