Photographers in the Lens - Peter Michels

There they stand proudly—the male and female photographers and their assistants from the early days of photography. They step in front of their own cameras, showcasing their tools, their studios, and their self-image. The special exhibition “Photographed Photographers” presents those rare moments when the key figures in photography—from 1839 through the 1920s—staged themselves: as experts, entrepreneurs, and performers. The exhibition is based on the book of the same name, which draws on the extraordinary collection of Werner and Trudi Bosshard and brings together over 500 photographs from this nearly forgotten visual tradition.

Many of these historical images were once used for advertising: Those who wanted to project professionalism posed with large wooden cameras or in lavishly equipped studios, clearly setting themselves apart from the world of amateurs. Alongside these are humorous, almost theatrical scenes—children playing photographer, assistants with props, and street vendors in front of camera lenses. Together, they offer a rare glimpse into a working world full of improvisation, ingenuity, and subtle self-irony.

In the exhibition, Peter Michels transforms this historical collection into an immersive experience: a “temple of the profession” where visitors come face-to-face with early photography. The exhibition brings to life the seriousness, the pride—and the surprising sense of humor—of early photographers.

The book *Fotografierte Fotografen*, which accompanies the collection, is available on site and was published by Bea + Poly Verlag AG, Brugg (ISBN 978-3-905177-36-7); it was awarded the Silver German Photo Book Prize.