After 34 years, the founders of Cologne based photo agency laif are placing the management of the business with Ulf Schmidt-Funke and Katharina Doerk at ddl images.
“We are very happy to have found the new partners Ulf Schmidt-Funke and Katharina Doerk, who are capable of unleashing the great potential of laif in an increasingly challenging market environment to ensure that the agency is well positioned for the future so that the company’s success story can continue“ explains Manfred Linke, photographer and joint founder of laif.
“In laying this new foundation, we are preserving the continuity of our work and will be able to concentrate even more on our respective thematic focuses. laif is known for its excellent photographers and the in-depth expertise of its editorial team. In future, we will be focusing even more on these strengths to continue delivering the same outstanding quality we are known for and acquire new customer groups for our copyrighters” explains managing director Peter Bitzer, who will also continue to manage the agency in the years to come.
• ddp images is one of Germany’s leading independent press picture agencies with its subsidiary companies Picture Press,
INTERTOPICS and Sipa USA.
• laif Agentur für Photos & Reportagen is among Germany’s leading companies for photojournalism, magazine and travel photography and offers first-class services for all photography needs. laif currently represents around 400 photographers and 42 collaborating international publishing syndications such as the New York Times or the publications of the Société du Figaro.
• laif will be managed as a 100% stand-alone brand at its office in Cologne.
• This handover is effective on 1 July 2015