LaMunt's campaign photos are like going on a mountain trip with friends. Carolin Unrath, the young and passionate photographer who has accompanied the brand's female mountain universe with her camera since 2020, is responsible for this.
We meet her and her boyfriend Peter one day after the last shoot in the Dolomites. The two of them are pleased with the photos from the previous day and tell me about the ski tour they took to get there. Carolin not only works behind the camera and instructs the models, but also hikes up the mountain with them and captures what happens on their trail.
In the following interview, you can read about how she got to the mountain and back through photography.
Carolin, how did you get into photography?
Through music, which played a huge role throughout my youth. I participated in two orchestras, was in a chamber choir. We went on many concert tours, even to South Africa and Namibia. Of course I wanted to document all these wonderful places, the new cultures and experiences. When I started studying "Art and Multimedia" at the LMU in Munich, it became clear to me and my professors fairly quickly that photography was my medium.
How would you define your own style? Has it changed over time?
I have always been very aesthetically minded. Someone once said that you can see my musical background in the pictures. I value harmony very much. I'm a big fan of light and colour, I work with everything that's already there.
Which is probably why you like shooting outdoors so much?
Exactly, you can do a lot in the studio and of course you need know-how for that, but I find the outdoor challenges much more exciting. You have to respond to situations, the weather for example, or a train that is not in service (laughs)...
What is your relationship with the mountains?
In my youth, I was on the Plose every other summer with activity groups. There were always some who complained that the mountain was too high, but I wanted to get to the top. Now I have Peter by my side, who encourages and motivates me, simply by believing in me and telling me that I can easily do this or that climbing route.
What have the mountains taught you?
They have had a great impact on the way I live my life. Instead of short nights and parties, I like to get up early and go hiking with my camera. Also, the mountains help me to stay calm in times of stress. It puts a lot into perspective when you remember certain mountain experiences.
A special mountain experience?
Peter and I had only known each other for a week, I guess I wanted to impress him. We toured Slovenia for a week, wanting to reach a special bivouac there - it was 16 December. We had miscalculated a bit, there was a lot of ice and it was getting dark on the ascent. But in the end we made it and in retrospect the experience was truly special for us. I have rarely seen such a beautiful sunrise. It was magical and essential.
Do you see any development between the first LaMunt shoot and the last one?
Absolutely. With the team at LaMunt, we are now a well-oiled unit. I can also bring more and more experience from other big shoots to the mountain. New technologies also help me to focus on things like lighting, framing and the expression of the models.
What absolutely has to be in your (light) backpack for the mountain?
My small camera, a Leatherman and probably a lighter, something cosy to throw over and a book for sketching and as a diary.
