ANGELIKA BUETTNER
Photography is what Angelika does, what she loves, and so much of who she is. Known for her love of artistic challenges, her independent nature, and her ability to help subjects express themselves in a soulful, daring, and honest way that portrays the unexpected, breathtaking and authentic. Throughout her career, she explored a broad range of styles, moods and subjects. Her penchant for strong, sensual feminine photography has evolved over time. Angelika has rightfully earned her reputation for “pushing the envelope”. She never fails to infuse each photograph with a certain “je ne sais quoi” (a certain undefinable something!)
Known for injecting cinematography into still images, Angelika pays close attention to the use of light and shadows, keeping her viewers intrigued, and eager for more. She loves the interaction with her subjects. Her exposure to the fashion and beauty industries, and her sensitivity to society’s stereotypes about mature women has shaped the concept of ageless beauty. Her work is not of nudes, but of nude portraits, where she depicts the complete person: capturing expression, displaying the likeness, personality and individual mood of each subject. Her photographs portray ageless beings, fully respecting the spiritual practice of choosing the presence of life.
Although Angelika has gained international and national recognition in advertising and publishing, working for various international beauty and fashion brands, it has been her deepest desire to create I AM: a project seven years in the making. Just as every seven years we become a new person, as in that time every cell in our body has regenerated, I AM is about rebirth. Angelika has liberated society’s view of women over 40. Her photographs are truth, realness and appreciation. There is no shame, no imperfection. In a culture obsessed with youth, Angelika strips away the devalued image of how mature women are seen, replacing it with agelessness. Women take everything off. It’s all off: predisposed views, opinions, judgements. Women are not represented by their age, but rather a portrait of completeness. There are no roles, no role playing. Women are shown in their most vulnerable state, yet in their most liberated state. All truth is presented.
The 121 women featured in this book, who truly represent all women, will advance the power of women throughout the world. The continuance of I AM, IAM-theMovement.com, develops strength in the movement where women are seen, appreciated for their experiences and valued for their ageless presence. Angelika’s I AM realigns our society: women are now in full view.
Angelika was born and raised in Bad Homburg, Germany, then moved to Frankfurt to study photography, which has been her major motivating force. After living and working in Paris for over 20 years, she now resides close to NYC. She is married to a fellow photographer turned art and antique dealer. Their two children, raised in a town close to Paris, now work and live in Europe.
The birth of I AM brings Angelika wholeness, with the confidence that her project will change how we define beauty.