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Katharina Hesse

Professional/Personal Overview

Katharina Hesse holds a graduate degree in Chinese (and Japanese) studies from the Institut National des Langues et Civilizations Orientales (INALCO) in Paris. She is one of a few foreign photographers who are accredited by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has lived in the country for more than 13 years.

Hesse initially worked as an assistant for German TV (ZDF), then freelanced for Newsweek from 1996 to 2002. In 2003 and 2004 she covered China for Getty's news service. Hesse is self-taught in photography, albeit with a temporary apprenticeship under Peter Turnley. Her photos have appeared in publications such as Courrier International, Der Spiegel, D della Repubblica, IO Donna, Marie-Claire, Neon, Newsweek, Stern, and Vanity Fair (Italy).

Hesse participated in the "A day in the Life of the American Woman" project in 2005, and won a NPPA 1st prize award in 2003 (Magazine: portrait & personality). Her work has been featured at photography festivals including Visa Pour l'Image (Perpignan, France) and at the Angkor Photo Festival (Cambodia). Her Web site is at www.katharinahesse.com.