The photographers’ agent celebrated her 25th anniversary in March 2026 - a wonderful occasion to take a brief look back. Marlene Ohlsson began her career at the Hamburg-based advertising agency Economia before moving to Paris for several years. There, she became familiar with the market as a casting director, producer, and photo assistant, including time at the legendary Pin Up Studios. After returning to Hamburg, she worked as a studio manager before taking the leap into self-employment as an agent.
Her love for Paris has always stayed with her. For many years, she has represented international photographers and, alongside clients in Germany, regularly works with French clients in the City of Love - and above all, the city of fashion. In Paris, she exchanges ideas with art buyers, editors, producers, and photographers.
“Despite the globalization of the industry, French culture is very different from Germany,” Marlene tells us. “In Paris, I always become a little bit Parisian.” She considers all the characteristics of a Parisian described in former model Caroline de Maigret’s book How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are completely natural and not at all absurd. However, once she touches down at Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel Airport, she switches back into Hanseatic mode. “In Paris, you have to work much more flexibly and get used to constant last-minute changes. In return, you get better food, more chic fashion, breathtaking exhibitions, and countless inspiring visual impressions that you need in order to stay visually up to date.”
Marlene Ohlsson has accompanied the photography duo Billy & Hells for 20 years, and her partnerships with other photographers tend to last decades rather than just a few years. Her portfolio includes international advertising photographers such as Tom Nagy, Dimitri Daniloff, Armin Zogbaum, Florian Schüppel, Dylan Don, Heather Favell, Paul Bellaart, and Roberto Badin, as well as trend-focused fashion photographers like Patrick Houi, Jette Stolte, and Hördur Ingason.
Even after 25 years, Marlene remains passionate about high-quality, contemporary photography. Every production is a new challenge, and she particularly enjoys short-notice productions - because fewer cooks spoil the broth.
Organization and production are Marlene’s true passions. Together with Annika Bersch, who has been part of the agency for 13 years as Head of Production, the two form an unbeatable team. They are supported by Ms. Schneider, who is responsible for the complex structuring of usage rights and licensing fees, trainee Marie Nordmann, accountant Maren Sturm, and web and content manager Peter Wiese.
Does she have any advice for young photographers? Marlene recommends constantly questioning yourself and continually refining both your craft and your portfolio. The market demands new photographers, new styles, and fresh perspectives. Only those who consistently face the challenges of the market will be able to work successfully over long periods of time. Despite the flood of low-cost imagery from e-commerce studios, Marlene hopes there will always be photography lovers who appreciate a great photographer with a distinctive style and strong craftsmanship. Fortunately, that is still the case today - and we are keeping our fingers crossed for the next 25 years.
