Ukulele Portraits

Picture book and sheet music collection in one
I have asked all 75 Ukulistas in this book about their favourite songs, resulting in a unique series of portraits: we get to know the people not only through their photos, but also through their music. A QR code next to the music sheet leads to the corresponding audio sample or video. And a short paragraph of text tells the story behind the person. A photo book for all the senses!
(The short text sections are in German and can be easily translated with the help of the closest smartphone. But the language of the music and the photos is – universal.)

Paying homage to the ukulele
In recent years, I have benefited greatly from a lively ukulele community – through tutorials, exchanges, making music together, such as at the Berlin Ukulele Festival. With the photo book, I want to give something back to the community. And to pay homage to the ukulele.

A celebration of diversity
This photo book brings together portraits of 75 ukulele artists - beginners, professionals, the very young and the fairly experienced, teachers, enthusiastic amateurs and fingerstyle virtuosos. The book illustrates how diverse and colourful the uke community is and what the instrument can do. This is also proven by the music sheets: from Irish shanties to church hymns, Hawaiian, swing, blues and punk to (so far partly unpublished) original compositions, everything is included.

Fine paper, excellent printing
Fair, locally and sustainably produced: The photos are printed by a Berlin print shop on matte FSC-certified picture paper with a great feel and a weight of 150g/m2. The high-quality ring binding is also made right here in Berlin. The result is a picture book that doesn't have to hide on any coffee table. And it even fits on the music stand!

Photo exhibition in Berlin
I started working on the series in a master class with Ostkreuz photographer Sibylle Fendt. I was able to exhibit a first selection at the Berlin Ukulele Festival in June 2023 at the ufaFabrik. From 22 November 2023, I will be part of a group exhibition with the Ukulele Portraits at F3-Freiraum für Fotografie in Berlin-Kreuzberg. The book should also be finished by then.

The book is for everyone who has a ukulele at home. Or two, or three, or 23 of them.

Seriously, the project also wants to set a small monument to the ukulele. The extensive portrait series shows how diverse and manifold the colourful ukulele scene is. And that we are dealing with a serious and great instrument.

With your support, you help to bring this diversity to the people: to the book dealers, to the music shops and to the public. So that all those who still think of the ukulele only in terms of comedians or shrunken guitars can be enchanted by the diversity and versatility that emanate from these four strings.

With your support, you will help to bring the first portrait and music book to paper, in which our favourite instrument takes centre stage. With a pre-order, you will receive the high-quality photo book hot off the press from the bookbindery – and in time to give away a second or third copy for Christmas.

With your pre-order you also help me to estimate the demand and to calculate so that enough copies are printed.

Your contribution (minus VAT and transaction fees) goes directly to the printer. The designer who supports me with the layout of the book is also paid from this. Crowdfunding helps me to better assess demand and to have the right number of copies printed. If the funding goal is exceeded, the print run increases. The more copies we can print, the better!