Some people use their eyes to see. Others, to speak.

Carlos G. Maier uses his as a microphone for the soul. Photographer. Filmmaker.

Champion of characters and Harlistas—not necessarily in that order. The easiest way to understand his talent is to experience it: raw truth. Intense. Funny. Humble. His rich German accent, wrapped in a free-spirited American attitude, hints at his uncanny ability to transcend boundaries and origins. His work proves it.

Anfangen ist leicht, beharren eine Kunst. To begin is easy, to persist is art.

Carlos’s journey in photography began in Germany with nothing more than a Kodak Instamatic camera and a spark of curiosity. He completed a three-year photography apprenticeship before earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing communication and design in Stuttgart. From there, he headed to the United States, joining the elusive club of Mad Men. As an art director in both large and boutique agencies in New York City, he sharpened his creative instincts, eventually co-founding his own advertising agency in Philadelphia’s burgeoning arts scene. His work for clients like Mercedes-Benz, IBM, Dow Jones Global Indexes, Hitachi, Sandoz, Jägermeister, and the Philadelphia 76ers introduced him to legendary photographers such as Jeff Zwart, John Paul Endress, Clint Clemens, Tony Gaye, and Dietmar Hennka. Collaborating with them to bring his creative vision to life, he built numerous brands and earned his fair share of industry awards. But after years in the fast-paced world of advertising, Carlos felt the pull of a new direction.

Photographers have a way of seeing the world inside out.