Elias Steininger
Lifestyle Photographer
Based between Munich and Vienna, Elias Steininger is a portrait and lifestyle photographer whose work is a dedicated study of the human countenance. Eschewing the artifice of traditional studio lighting, Elias specializes in "Psychological Realism", a method of capturing subjects in their most uninhibited states. His practice is defined by a deep curiosity for the individual, finding as much narrative in the weathered hands of a Tyrolean craftsman as in the sharp gaze of a Berlin gallerist. He approaches every shoot as a conversation, utilizing the lens to strip away the "public mask" and reveal the quiet, honest vulnerability beneath.
His signature style is characterized by a "Filmic Intimacy," utilizing wide apertures and a muted, cinematic color grade that keeps the viewer’s focus entirely on the subject’s expression. Elias is master of the "Environmental Portrait," placing his subjects within spaces that reflect their history, yet ensuring the human element remains the undisputed protagonist of the frame.
As a multidisciplinary creator, Elias frequently explores the relationship between identity and heritage. He is a pioneer of the "New Continental Portraiture," blending the rigorous technical standards of German optics with a raw spontaneity. His work serves as an archive of contemporary European faces, proving that while a city is built of stone and glass, its pulse is found solely in the eyes of the people who inhabit it.
About
01. Elias Steininger x Leica: The Silent Protagonist Series
02. Rimowa: Travelers of the Rhine (Portrait Study)
03. Munich State Opera: Behind the Curtain Portraits
04. Vitra: The Designers at Home
05. Adidas Originals: Neighborhood Faces
06. Soho House Vienna: The Founding Members Gallery
collaborations
PUBLICATIONS
Selected clients
Leica Camera
Vogue Germany
Hugo Boss
MyTheresa
Rimowa
Universal Music Group
The New York Times
Austrian Airlines
Zalando
Montblanc
01. ZEITmagazin
02. Rolling Stone
03. i-D Magazine
04. Interview Magazine
05. Port Magazine
06. British Journal of Photography
07. GQ France
08. L'Uomo Vogue
09. The Guardian Weekend
10. Document Journal
Pinterest
Elias Steininger, 2026
