About me
Professional photographer.
Out of passion.
I am Jakob Montrasio, a photographer and filmmaker based in Bammental near Heidelberg. I have worked in visual design since 2001: first at XenoVeo / Ad&Vision, later with my own company in Shanghai. I have been photographing professionally for over 20 years; I photographed my first wedding around 20 years ago in Shanghai.
Photography and film belong together for me. I think in light, composition and scenes — and pay attention to how individual images tell a story together. At a wedding, I am interested not only in the couple’s portrait, but also in the life unfolding around them.
From an exhibition at the New York Skyscraper Museum to commissions for Porsche and Microsoft — my images have been shown in 12 international exhibitions. My documentary Souls of Zen was nominated for the Golden Eye at the Zurich Film Festival. But none of that moves me the way a couple seeing each other for the first time does.
I speak six languages — German, English, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and a little Latin. That helps when families from around the world come together. Happily married for over 20 years and father of two children. I know what this day feels like. Not from theory. From life.
“The most beautiful images are created when people forget there is a camera present.”
20+
Years of photography
100%
Heart & Soul
100k+
Photos taken
∞
Passion
My journey in images
Photography, film and the experiences that have shaped my eye.
Starting out in visual design
In 2001, I began doing visual work at the agency XenoVeo / Ad&Vision. Later, I continued this work with my own company in Shanghai. Composition and visual storytelling have been part of my work since I entered the industry.
My first wedding in Shanghai
I have been photographing professionally for over 20 years. I covered my first wedding around 20 years ago in Shanghai.
The Way of the Spur
Filming my feature film in Shanghai. The film was completed later.
Souls of Zen
Filming my documentary in Japan. The film was nominated for the Golden Eye at the Zurich Film Festival.
Jewelz & Sparks - Dope
One of the many music videos I have made over the years.
Bammental near Heidelberg
Based in Bammental, I photograph weddings in Heidelberg and the Rhein-Neckar region. My experience in photography and film shapes how I see your day.
Fujifilm GFX medium format
Its sensor has around 67% more surface area than conventional full frame. Together with my lenses and approach, I use this for detailed images and subtle transitions.
My Philosophy
Real moments.
No staging.
I am not a fan of stiff poses and forced smiles. My best images are created when people are simply themselves — laughing, crying, dancing, loving.
Photography and film.
More than photography
My film work includes the feature film The Way of the Spur, which I shot in Shanghai in 2010, and the documentary Souls of Zen, for which I filmed in Japan in 2011.
My documentary Souls of Zen about Buddhist funeral music in Japan was nominated for the Golden Eye Award at the Zurich Film Festival. With The Way of the Spur I made a spaghetti western in Shanghai — because I love telling stories where cultures collide.
Grew up in southern Germany, born 1982 in Freiburg. My father comes from Milan — hence the name, hence the love of light falling through church windows, and espresso at five in the morning when the wedding day begins. Six years in Shanghai taught me to stay calm in any situation.
Six languages help with that. German and Italian from home, English and Chinese from Shanghai, Japanese from filming Souls of Zen. When in-laws arrive from Shanghai and an aunt from Rome — then I am not just the photographer. I also understand what is being said.
By day I work as a front-end developer — so technology is no obstacle, it is a tool. And on Instagram over 52,000 people follow me. Not because of perfect staging, but because the images are genuine.
How I work
01
Fujifilm GFX Medium Format
Its sensor has around 67% more surface area than conventional full frame. Together with my lenses and approach, I use this for detailed images and subtle transitions.
02
Reportage Style
Documentary and unobtrusive. I accompany your day discreetly and capture real emotions — without disturbing the moment.
03
Fast Delivery
You usually receive your carefully edited, full-resolution images in a private online gallery within one week, and no later than two weeks. An optional sneak peek is available within three days.
Interested?
Let's get to know each other
In a no-obligation conversation — by phone, video, or over coffee — we find out whether we are a good fit.