karlgrupe

Karl’s curiosity to test the manner in which we think is what drives him. Obsessed by the narrative which forms from disrupting patterns, he acts as a facilitator in the move away from the visual ‘safe zones’ we form and adhere to. His workshops involve an alchemy of improvisation, risk, reflection and narrative passing through the portal of photography.

His own work can be described as the result of operating at the intersection of the academic, practical, creative and business of photography. Commercially, his stock imagery is represented by Getty Images and has been published by Life magazine, The New York Times, Microsoft, Sony, Nissan, Ikea, and the Royal Mail. Under his mentorship students have been published by the British Journal of Photography, The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Evening Standard, and Vibe Magazine; exhibited exhibitions internationally; produced portfolios to win Bachelors and Masters placements; and make career transitions to full-time professional photographers. One of his Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design courses appeared as a nine-page editorial feature in Afisha-Mir, a Russian travel and lifestyle magazine.

An alumnus of Goldsmiths College, he graduated summa cum laude for his Masters examination of the “accidental” economics formed through photo social networking site Instagram and how this is challenging traditional commercial photography. It led to a meta-photo agency, testing applications disruptive to traditional models of photographer-client-audience conversation which is now part of his PhD examination. This research fed into workshops he delivered to a variety of clients including Leed’s Castle, the London Transport Museum, University Arts London, Royal Photographic Society and photography and design festivals including Urban Photo Fest 2013, London Design Festival, Design Futures and the Prospects of Design Festival.

Karl is partner | creative director of The Mango Lab and lives in the country where he rides a Harley, trains for triathlons and loves to cook.