1979 – Portrait of Inga Schweim (1942-2004) at a photo studio in Kiel, Germany. © Mark Zanzig/zanzig.com/Photo: Renard, Kiel
The story behind the image
Today, my mother, Inga Zanzig (born Schweim), would have celebrated her 83rd birthday.
I take this opportunity to present you an image shot by one of the oldest photo studios in the world, Renard in Kiel. The photographer captured her very well and created a photo that I remember very well over all the years. At the age of 37, she looks happy and relaxed.
Thinking of you, mom.
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The photo studio
Gregorius Renard (1814-1885) had been a genuine photo pioneer. Apparently, as early as 1843, Gregorius had opened one of the first photo studios in the world – in Kiel!
Gregorius handed over the business to his son Friedrich Waldemar Renard (1850-1904) who married Sophie Esrom in 1877. The same year he opened a studio at the Sopienblatt 18 in Kiel which he operated as a single owner until 1898. In 1899, he added his son-in-law and called the business Waldemar Renard & Voss.
According to Kiel Wiki, Renard was busy taking photographs, and as an artist, he did not look too closely after the financial side of the business. So he did not notice that an accountant had actually ruined him. When the news broke he had a fierce debate with the employees and fired them all. Three days later, on January 9th, 1904, he died from alcohol poisoning.
Yet, further ownership changes followed, and today, the studio claims to be the oldest photo studio that is still in business (worldwide.) Read all about the team here (in German.)
Design ideas
The high resolution image
| Capture Date | 1979 |
| Location | Kiel, Germany |
| Image Source | 13 x 18 cm Print |
| Digital Image Source | EPSON Perfection 4870 Photo |
| Digital Image Source Format | TIFF, 48 bits/pixel, sRGB |
| Edited Image Format | JPEG, 24 bits/pixel, sRGB |
| Edited Image Dimensions | 3944 x 5423 Pixels |
| Copyright | Photo © Renard, Kiel Scan © by Mark Zanzig/zanzig.com |
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