*A Shooter Files interview series featuring photographers from around the world with a focus on capturing Street Photography in their own cities and countries

The Shooter :

Enrico Markus Essl

Enrico was born in Linz, the third largest city in Austria. While he currently still lives in Linz, he has also lived in Salzburg and enjoys spending time shooting the streets of Vienna. So it’s safe to say, he has plenty of experience photographing life in Austria.

Enrico’s work is very artistic and shows a focus on capturing color, geometry, lines, space, and unusual scenes. His work also shows an interest in experimenting on different themes. There’s a lot of creativity mixed with a talented eye that’s able to find interesting shots within day-to-day scenery. Much of his work includes people, but much of it doesn’t too. People aren’t usually the focus of the shot as much as they are one part of the overall aesthetic of the scene.

I’m very happy that Enrico agreed to be featured and interviewed, along with his country and photos, for this installment of the “A Shooter in…” interview series.

So onto the interview…

(All photos were made in Austria by Enrico Markus Essl)

1. Can you tell me a bit about how you got into Photography, and more specifically, Street Photography?

Actually, I’ve been into photography since my childhood and I’ve always been interested in different genres. About five years ago I came over street photography during a stay in Berlin. The final impulses for starting with street photography I got from In-Public, a street photography collective.

2. How would you describe your style/interests when it comes to photography?

What I’m most interested in are normal and abnormal features in the behavior of people in urban settings. When it comes to style, I don’t want to tie myself down. People who see my pictures should judge my style.

3. How long have you lived in Austria?

I was born in Linz, grew up in Salzburg. When I was twelve I returned to Linz and have been living here until now.

The City :

Linz, Austria

4. From a Street Photographer’s perspective, what are the first descriptive words that come to your mind when thinking of Linz and Austria?

Linz is characterized by a cultural diversity. Modern architecture, ancient buildings, the river Danube and people from different cultures amount to a great variety of interesting motives. Wandering through the city becomes very exciting and when you enjoy exploring a place, the motives find you, not the other way round. This phenomenon goes for many other places in Austria.

5. What do you like most about shooting photography in Austria? What makes Linz or Austria unique to other places for photographing?

In Austria, I personally prefer Vienna for taking photos. Vienna consists of different districts and each of them is characterized by special features. Noble districts, places where the working class live, parts that are inhabited mainly by migrants, and the Prater district are only a few of them. This results in a great variety of good motives and as a photographer you have many possibilities of taking good pics.

6. Do you approach Street Photography differently in Austria than you do in other places? How would you say people’s reaction is to Street Photography in Austria compared to other places?

The main difference between Austria and other places is that people here don’t like being photographed. That doesn’t really bother me, because I don’t come too close and I’m not interested in faces anyway.

7. Can you give a snapshot of a typical day for you shooting photography in Austria?

I travel to Vienna, have a coffee in a typical Viennese coffeehouse and then I stroll for hours through different districts. My camera always at hand, I wander through parks and underground stations, visit museums and have a beer.

8. What are a few of your favorite streets and spots for shooting photography in Linz and Austria?

In Vienna, it’s definitely the Old Danube, the Prater unfair and the First District or Inner City. One of my favorite spots is the new University of Technology with its campus and modern buildings. This place is architecturally remarkable.

In Linz there is a new university district. In this place there are many lines and patterns painted on the streets and pavements.

9. What are some of your favorite subjects to shoot in Austria? Do you have a favorite photo, or one that stands out in your memory, that you made in Austria?

Actually, I don’t have any favorite subjects, although I’m constantly looking for themes into which I delve and from which I produce special series.

Vienna in 2014 had a successful day for me and also had this shot, my favorite in Austria:

10. What is your favorite non-shooting activity when out shooting photography in Austria?

During the breaks, I love spending time at a café, smoking a cigarette and observing people.

11. Outside of Austria, what has been one of your favorite places to shoot Street Photography?

My favorite place has definitely been Southern France in summer. Secondly, I favor Berlin, because it’s an overwhelming city which is constantly changing.

12. Last, but not least, what Tips would you give a Street Photographer coming to shoot in Austria?



First of all, travel to Vienna, put on good walking shoes and inconspicuous clothes, take a small camera, and stroll through the city – the motives will find you!

A big thank you to Enrico for sharing his work, answers and country!

For everyone who would like to see more of Enrico’s work, just follow the link below…

The Link :