Jan Von Holleben

Born in 1977, Jan lives and works in Berlin, Germany.

Having grown up in the countryside of southern Germany, Jan von Holleben spent most of his youth in an alternative community; he sees a close connection between the evolution of his photographic work and the influence of his parents, who were a director of photography and a child therapist, respectively. 

at the age of 13, he followed in his father's footsteps by taking up photography, trying his hand at all kinds of “ magic tricks ", developing his imagination and photographic skills with his friends and family, and then honing his technique in the field of commercial photography. 

After studying to become a teacher of children with disabilities at the Pädagogische Hochschule in Fribourg, he moved to the United Kingdom, where he earned a degree in the theory and history of photography from the Surrey Institute of Art and Design, before immersing himself in the London photography scene. There, he worked as a photo editor, art director, and director of photography. 

He quickly founded two photography collectives, Young Photographers United and photodebut, followed more recently by the Photographer’s Office. 

His photographic work focuses on the “ homo ludens "—the person who learns through play. This approach is based on integrating educational theory with one's own personal experiences and daily adventures."

Since then, he has worked with numerous companies, media outlets, and national and international organizations. His works have been exhibited around the world. He has also published more than 20 children’s books and artist’s books in 16 different languages.