“No matter what comes around, I have to be true to myself.” Frederick Fairytale’s photography is a quiet rebellion against perfectionism—a tender ode to memory, emotion, and the imperfect beauty of life. And while he is a perfectionist himself, this is no paradox—as artists often hold space for both chaos and control. With a nostalgic gaze rooted in the warmth of the ‘60s and ‘70s, his work captures realness: soulful connections, passing glances, and the raw poetry of everyday moments.
In this conversation with C-Heads, the Berlin-based photographer opens up about his journey from clumsy rap beginnings to analog love affairs, the artists who shaped his eye, and why he never leaves the house without a camera. A deeply personal interview about honesty, inspiration, and the search for something real—both in art and in life.
Frederick! We’re very happy to have you for an interview today. This is already your fourth series on C-Heads, and it’s about time we get to know you a little better. (smiles)
Thanks for having me again. I really appreciate it. I’m just falling more and more in love with your magazine since I discovered it.
Your photos have a nostalgic feel—like we’ve already said before, “your photography dances at the crossroads of time, blurring boundaries between the past and present.” How would you describe your own work? And where does your love for that ‘60s and ‘70s aesthetic come from?
(Laughs) Your words became the catchphrase for my work since you wrote ’em. These are the best words to describe my art. Seriously, I don’t even know how to describe my own work. I think this comes from the insecureness of myself. I’m really shy and overthink my photography every time I shoot. I realize that there is much love for my art from people out there, and I notice it and love to inhale that. But when I think of doing art, there is always a better artist.
The reason I photograph people and things I see in life is to conserve a memory. I want to freeze a scene of an emotional moment together with people. Or if I have a precious moment for myself.
When it comes to this special aesthetic, I have to dig more into my personal life.
I was deeply into Hip Hop in my youth, with all the stuff people know about. Inclusive my own clumsy Rap career. (laughs) I thought there will be no other music in my life. But I grew up, changed my outfits, haircuts and also increased my horizon in art and music. Someday I got myself a record player, in the same year I discovered Bob Dylan for the first time. Back then, when I was a delivery guy, there was very good music coming from an open window in the backyard. I switched on Shazam on my phone, found out that the song was “Man of Peace” from Bob Dylan and bought the LP from someone at Discogs. Okay, that was that moment, I think. And naturally, I got influenced by my parents’ favorite kind of music when I was a child.
And I do love movies from the ‘70’s and especially the look of them, which were, of course, shot on film. And I always have this look in mind when I develop my photos. I love how the people enjoyed the live back then, even though life was hard at times. I also adore Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, two personalities who are my favorite couple of that era. With all the imperfections they had. I love how the music sounds, and how imperfect and grainy everything was. I love imperfection, but I’m also a perfectionist. (smiles)
But there is one more thing: The way Bob Sala shows his view on people, life and things inspired the way I wanted to photograph in the beginning. But then I started to feel like I wanted to do something more what is my personality. I love his art, but I quickly realized that I wanted to approach photography in a slightly different way. We still got the same vibe somehow.
“I simply can’t deal with the fact that there would be no documentation of our existence. We all know the emotional moment when we look at old photos.”
When did you start taking pictures, and what were your subjects back then? Do you remember your very first photos?
I discovered photography in my late teenager years. The father of a schoolfriend is a professional photographer and I always liked what he was creating. Years later, I got an Olympus SLR Camera from a friend, who was so kind to borough me this cam for two years or so. Me and my best friend Dan carry the camera with us all night long and drove through Berlin to capture what we see. It was mainly street photography and put things in a scene in the same way we saw it on the early photography platforms. I think these photos would be boring today. (smiles) And of course I carried the cam with me all the time I was with friends. This is the main thing of my photography. Have the camera with me, no matter what! At least I shoot with my iPhone in RAW Mode.
I don’t remember my very first photo, but when I think of it, there comes one photo in mind, that evokes, that I see moments. Yes, every photographer sees moments, but it is an fundamental craft I have. (People say this every time I shoot behind the scenes stuff). So, this photo I talked about was shot in Rome, as I was there with working buddies to do some videos about the Vatikan.
It’s better so see it than describe the scene, but I’ll try it: When we were out after the filming, a tow truck passed behind us, pulling a car on tiny wheels across the road. It sparked a bit and had a crazy sound. Just then, the couple with whom we were walking turned around, arm in arm, and looked at what was going on. I just knew this was the right moment. I hadn’t made any settings and the focus wasn’t set. But it worked.
I love that you’ve said you want to capture „someone’s soul and personality“. You’re not chasing the “perfect” moment but instead aiming to show real life. Still, is there anything you wouldn’t photograph?
Oh, that is a strong question! Why should there be anything that I don’t want to photograph?
But there is actually one thing: Women in lingerie in abandoned houses with no context. That’s a nightmare! There is noting wrong to shoot women in lingerie, but please, not in this creepy scene as a creepy “photographer”! But art is subjective and I think this type of photography also has its right to exist. Or something like that.
“I live for the moment. From day to day. I don’t know how and where I will find myself in 10 years… I’ll just see where life takes me.”
Photography isn’t the easiest field to make your way through these days—with social media, fast content, and AI imagery. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep shooting?
I totally agree! And, to be honest, it really bugs me. But I learned to use it for me. I do and share my stuff in my own pace. I bought a fucking expensive online course for “how to become a high engagement on Instagram” and followed the rules of this guy. It was an absolute disaster for me. I noticed that all the engagement he became, belongs on only one photo. And the stuff he tells his “students” didn’t work for me.
I want to be real and want to show people my view on life in my own aesthetic way. No matter what comes around, I have to be true to myself. But what I still need is the appreciation of my community. In the beginning, it was like nobody is interested in my art. Over the last year, however, I have seen how my dear community has grown – hopefully because of my art. That inspires me a lot. After all, it’s the people around me and the stories of people I get to know. It is more important to me to learn something about the people I photograph, then to get likes or sell photos. Don’t get me wrong, I love to sell my art and find it very comfy to collect comments and feedback. When I was in Croatia in 2024, I met Branko Modic in his atelier. He told me that he likes Instagram because it is where young people can discover his art, which they might not be able to explore otherwise since they don’t go to exhibitions. That’s a very good point in my eyes.
And I simply can’t deal with the fact that there would be no documentation of our existence.
We all know the emotional moment when we look at old photos.
What’s the best compliment you’ve received about your work so far?
After I’d photographed Kaya and Angie for the series “Soul Connection”, I asked if they would write me a review, and this is what they wrote:
„{…} These pictures really feel like “us” in a way I can’t even put it into words!“
“It is more important to me to learn something about the people I photograph, than to get likes or sell photos.”
Music seems to play an important role in your life! In your shoot with Sheila, you were in a record store. Which three songs are currently a big part of your life? (smiles)
Whether in my everyday life or when working on a project, music plays a big part in my life. When I’m planning a home story shoot, I always ask the models how they listen to music. If there’s no device to get music with good sound from, I’d like to bring a small Marshall Bluetooth speaker to the shoot (laughs) Music is a mood changer, or enhancer. If I have a morning without music, my mood is sadder than it will be when music fills the room. I have a constantly growing record collection and I’m into almost all kinds of music. Yesterday I listened to African and Indian tunes the whole day and when I woke up today, I listened to the Wu-Tang Clan. But I have to be aware that when I’m sad, I have to avoid hearing music that is too gloomy. But it also depends. Coldplay, for example, always gives me energy. Even when there are tears rolling down my face.
If I have to rank songs in an order, that doesn’t work for the first position. It’s the album “Black and White America” by Lenny Kravitz. Okay, let’s say it’s the first song on the album that deserves this spot. Whenever I put the record on or stream the album, the drums and bass sound so funky that it spontaneously puts me in a good mood. Even right now! (smiles) I know the song by heart. The second song should be “You can Never Hold Back Spring” from Tom Waits. This song has a connection between me and my girlfriend Nicole. I took a short video of her in slow motion and placed the song underneath it. It’s a very beautiful song with poetic lyrics. Tom Waits is my absolute favorite musician. And now the third song. I need to think about this for a while… ok, it’s “Long Cool Woman” from The Hollies. Since I discovered it, I can say that it is the best example of how music can make you feel better! I bought the Vinyl single to celebrate the ceremony of literally putting the record on.
You’re currently living in your hometown—where is that exactly?
My hometown is Berlin in Germany. I live in an open-minded district, where you can be whoever you want. I hope this is still true.
“Wherever we are, Nicole and our cat Bisou give me the feeling of being in a beautiful home.”
What makes you feel home?
I’m a bit of a weirdo. I have tons of things, personal stuff, photos lying around everywhere. Wherever I have all these things is my home. No matter where in the world. I need that. And wherever we are, Nicole and our cat Bisou give me the feeling of being in a beautiful home. But I also need to be with my family. I am a family person. But it’s difficult to keep up with everyone these days. That’s a bit sad, I know it’s because I don’t have enough time for too many things.
Where do you see yourself in around 10 years?
Oh my gosh! (laughs) I live for the moment. From day to day. I don’t know how and where I will find myself in 10 years. In Italy as a well-known and popular photographer, maybe. I used to think that I would be a famous musician, but that turned out quite differently. I’ll just see where life takes me.
The most important thing in life is?
It is always love. We can’t be humans without it! Seriously!
Thank you so much for your time!
Thank you! It was really nice to reflect on my life.
