HAMBURG.- The Freundeskreis des Hauses der Photographie e.V. has announced the winners of its HEARTBEAT PHOTO 2025 project funding, aimed at strengthening and connecting Hamburg's vibrant photography community. Alexander Hagmann and Lioba Kappel were selected from a pool of applicants for their innovative and participatory project concepts.

The jury, composed of photography professionals and members of the Freundeskreis, praised the diversity and quality of the submissions, noting that Hagmann and Kappel’s proposals stood out for their unique approaches and commitment to community engagement.

Alexander Hagmann’s project, "Photo Archive Hamburg," will create a digital platform designed to preserve the city’s visual history. The platform will collect and showcase photographic works that document various aspects of Hamburg, fostering interaction between photographers, residents, and institutions. Hagmann, a freelance photographer and educator, aims to make the city’s visual memory more accessible and interactive.

Lioba Kappel, the second winner, will explore queer representation through her project "Color Code." Using cyanotype workshops, Kappel seeks to revive the traditional photographic process and create a space for queer community to express and experience itself through art. Kappel, an artist and photography student, aims to bridge the gap between photography and community engagement.

Both Hagmann and Kappel will receive €4,500 in funding, along with public relations support from the Freundeskreis Photographie. The HEARTBEAT PHOTO initiative, now in its second iteration, is supported by the Hamburg Authority for Culture and Media.

"The selected projects highlight the diversity of Hamburg's photography scene," said Ulrike Klug, competition director and jury member. "We were particularly impressed by their participatory nature and their ability to engage different communities."

The Freundeskreis Photographie, which supports the Deichtorhallen Hamburg and the Haus der Photographie, aims to promote photography as a vital part of culture and society. The HEARTBEAT PHOTO project is one of many initiatives the organization undertakes to support photographers and engage the public with the medium.