Günter Merk | You Can Always Take Pictures
You Can Always Take Pictures
Edited by Andrea Balti / Photos by Günter Merk
As you browse through thousands and thousands of Insta stories and posts, you find something that stands out, leaving the crowd behind and really telling a story about passion, everything courtesy of photographic abilities that leave no room for doubts. You have to stop here, dive in and be inspired. This is pretty much what happened as I stumbled on Guenter Merk’s IG profile, which amongst Porsches, some other Porsches and … Porsches, lets us feel his natural born attitude for two things that nowadays go hand in hand: automotive and photography. Time to meet this guy and ask him a few questions.
What’s your name?
My name is Günter and I’m 28 years old.
Where are you from? And what do you drive?
I’m from Austria, near Vienna and I drive a 2018 Mercedes Benz CLA Shooting Brake with AMG Package/Styling.
How did your passion for cars started?
My passion for cars started when I started my photo career at 16. At that time I started an apprenticeship as a photographer and when I was able to buy my first camera, photography was like a kind of self-discovery – and I started reading more about photography, every day, I started watching videos thus getting into the action and shooting pretty much everything, including vehicles. I quickly realized that cars will simply be part of my future and that I am a fan of fast, modern and also timeless vehicles.
What’s the particular thing that connects your love for cars with photography?
For me, cars are more than just a route from A to B. For me, they are relaxation, freedom, travel and much more. That’s why my camera is always with me when I go on a trip with any car.
No matter whether Porsche, Mercedes, BMW or anything else.
You can always take pictures.
What about some of your best on the road adventures?
My best road trip was to Italy with my girlfriend and a new BMW 6 Gran Turismo. We went to the Concorso d’Eleganza to Lake Como. Then to Lake Garda, to Milan and back again. The whole thing took about a week and it was phenomenal. Pictures that you never get again, were taken here.
Take us through the most bad@$$ Porsche you’ve shot so far.
918 Spyder in an awesome PTS Silver Gold and a rare GT2 RS from Ferdinand Porsche.
If you could pick a car and set the location you want on your sat-nav, what would your ultimate road trip look like?
Hmh… I think i would pick the new Cayenne GTS Coupe in Guards Red and drive from Austria to Sweden and shoot the whole thing and have an awesome time.
This one is tricky: if you had to choose for a wonderful journey driving a car you like but without the chance to take a single photo (not even with a smartphone), or grab your camera with your but stick on the passenger seat, which scenario would you pick?
Tricky is good. *haha* – Sometimes you should take your time and take photos only with your eyes and keep them as memories. Not everything should end up in a story or a post. That’s what really matters – take your time – everywhere. And I would cruising in Croatia near the coast and have a great time. – Car? Hmh…maybe a Cabriolet – 992 or something like that.
What does it takes to be constantly inspired?
It takes a lot from you to stay inspired everywhere. Nowadays there are so many people who have enormously brilliant ideas. I always inspire myself with videos, photos, blog posts and often it is of course also my own idea that jumps into the head and has to be implemented. Especially with videos.
It is important that you stay true to yourself and try not to imitate someone else. Unfortunately, this happens a lot these today.
Where do you see yourself in a 10 years time?
Good question! Personally I see myself on an island …. just kidding!
I see myself completely independent. With my photography, my creative nature and the things I have learned over the years with Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator and all of that, I see myself very much in this area. Maybe also with an advertising agency.
Thanks Guenter, time to say goodbye to our readers!
Hey guys! I would like to say hello to all of you automotive lover and people approaching this incredible world.
I know, just like me, you’re drooling just looking at his wonderful pictures.
Follow Guenter’s adventures here:
Facebook: @GuenterMerk
Instagram: @GuenterMerk
Blog: www.guentermerk.com