Berlin Artist Josephine Meng on Fashion Photography, Self-Portraits, and Vintage Cinema

Berlin-based artist Josephine Meng is constructing a unique space in the fashion industry, infusing her artistic work, mainly photos and video, with a delightful charm and feminine sensibility that resonates with the industry. A true multi-hyphenate, Meng maintains her role as a prolific photographer, creative director and model leaving her distinct input on collaborations with brands like Chrome Hearts, shooting their Sugar Jones shoe campaign, as well as YSL and Maison Margiela.

She has shot acclaimed entrepreneur James Goldstein, singer Jesse Jo Stark and YouTuber Emma Chamberlain, among other high profile media personalities, artists and models. Cemented in the vibrant, creative center of Berlin, Meng's aesthetic is a compelling blend of modern vision and classic inspiration.

So, what is it about Berlin that conveys such artistic growth? For Meng, the answer is very simple: freedom. "Berlin offers a rare kind of freedom that’s hard to find anywhere else," she explains. "It’s a place where you can truly breathe, both creatively and practically." This unique atmosphere allows artists like Meng to experiment, push boundaries, and explore their creative visions without the stifling pressures often found in other major creative hubs.

This flexibility has allowed her to expand her work within a number of forums including music video direction for Jesse-Jo Stark’s acclaimed release “I’m Yours” and her Asia touring productions, fashion campaigns, runway shows, social media collaborations, and print campaigns, to name just a few.

Meng's work is deeply interconnected with her personal inspirations, and her admiration for vintage cinema shines through her photographs. When asked about her vintage cinema icons, Meng's list is a testament to strong, captivating women. "Lauren Bacall and her iconic husky voice," she begins, "Veronica Lake, Frances Farmer, she was a woman ahead of her time, often misunderstood but unquestionably powerful. And of course, my favorite German lady Marlene Dietrich and her seamless blend of masculinity and femininity. I could go on and on."

This intrigue with classic film translates into the evocative mood and timeless quality that characterizes much of her work. One can see the echoes of Dietrich's androgynous elegance and Bacall's smoky allure in her portraits, a testament to her ability to draw inspiration from the past and translate it into a fresh, new, contemporary context.

Beyond her collaborations and commercial work, Meng’s self-portraits offer an intimate glimpse into her inner world. She approaches them not as mere documentation, but as a profound journey of self-discovery. "Self-portraits are a deeply personal exploration for me," said Meng. "I view them as a way to confront and understand myself, as well as to communicate something intimate to the world. My approach is never just a static narrative — it’s an evolving conversation with my own identity."

This introspective approach allows her to express raw, unfiltered moments of vulnerability. "I try not to perfect or control the process but to allow for moments of truth, vulnerability, and honesty to emerge naturally," Meng explains.

"I see it as a dance between control and surrender, where the intention is to reveal rather than conceal. Each self-portrait becomes a reflection of where I am at that moment" This dedication to authenticity and self-expression sets her self-portraits apart, offering viewers a genuine interconnection to the artist behind the lens.

It is no wonder that her work has amassed a large social media following, with over a million likes on TikTok and a dedicated following on Instagram. Her impact transcends the boundaries of the traditional fashion and visual media industry, inspiring not only those professionals within the creative sphere but also new generation of artists, photographers, and storytellers who see her work as a testament to the power of vision, authenticity, and artistic evolution. Looking beyond the landscape of fashion photography and creative direction in 2025, Meng expresses a poignant mixture of concern and hope.

Looking beyond the landscape of fashion photography in 2025, Meng expresses a poignant mixture of concern and hope. She highlights the increasing saturation and homogenization of the field, driven by the rise of AI and hyper-processed imagery.

"In 2025, I feel like fashion photography has become a bit saturated," she observes. "With the rise of AI and heavily processed images, a lot of it starts to look the same. There’s a certain uniformity in how things are presented now — everything is too polished, in a way."

This over-reliance on perfection and technological enhancement, according to Meng, has led to a loss of the rawness and uniqueness that once defined the art form. "I think it’s lost some of the rawness and uniqueness that made it so exciting in the past," she said. "The art form seems to have shifted toward being more about trends and algorithms, rather than storytelling."

Meng's critique serves as a cautionary tale for the future of fashion photography. She believes that if the industry isn't careful, it risks losing its soul in the pursuit of fleeting trends and algorithmic perfection. However, her own work maintains a powerful counterpoint, advocating for the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and a connection to the past.

By embracing imperfection and prioritizing storytelling, Meng is not only creating compelling art but also paving a way for a more meaningful and resonant future for fashion photography. Her Berlin-bred creativity promises to continue to challenge and inspire, reminding us of the power of genuine expression in an increasingly artificial world.

Follow @ms.josephin on Instagram.