Simon Puschmann loves shooting. Although most people have him down as "just“ a car photographer (and he loves his car photography, that goes without saying), he is pretty much an all-rounder in the best sense of the term - the jack of all trades of photography.

Simon began as a still life photographer working from his own studio for many years, before drifting into directing - winning a prestigious award from Sueddeutsche Zeitung - and then somehow slipped into car photography. It makes sense that he is now able to combine all of these fields, shooting and directing cars, still life, people and landscapes. Simon just cannot stop shooting and inventing.

His good friend and well known art director, Iain Ross, recently said: "Simon is beyond cool. He is very, very creative. Unique. Never resting. Not afraid. Always pushing the craft."

HOWtoDO is an innovative 360 degree agency creating visuals, texts and concepts for fashion, beauty and lifestyle companies. It consults on branding, content and influencer relations with output that is relevant and modern, high in quality and unique. "We inspire and connect to consumers and opinion leaders globally."

HOWtoDO's internationally experienced creative team is known for it’s high standards in planning, execution and post-production and is focused on exclusive photo and video productions for the beauty and fashion industry.

Clients include world-leading brands, magazines and companies such as Wella, L.O.V., Schwarzkopf, Breuninger, TUSH Magazine, Chanel, BMW, Swarovski, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Shiseido, Dior, L'Oréal, Catrice and BMW/Mini.

Welcome to Showcase Germany, brought to you by Production Paradise. This edition features some of the leading photographers, film production companies, locations, post-production companies, rental studios, equipment rental companies, hair and make-up artists, stylists, music composers, casting agencies, illustrators, and other creative talents and services based in Germany.

Companies and publications such as Vogue, Schwarzkopf, Volksbank, Marvel, Emporium, Marc Cain, McDonald's, Elle, Deichmann, Tchibo, Nike, Catrice, HUF, Audi, Interview Magazine, Toyota, and Jute among others, have trusted these professionals with their latest advertising campaigns and editorial shoots.

More creative professionals and facilities for photographic and film production can be found in our Berlin (Photo / Film), Cologne (Photo / Film),  Dusseldorf (Photo / Film), Frankfurt (Photo / Film), Hamburg (Photo / Film), Munich (Photo / Film) and Stuttgart (Photo / Film) directories.

Be sure to check out our featured events:

• Triennial of Photography Hamburg, Breaking Point. Festival featuring 90 photography events. Until September at various locations in Hamburg. 
• Berlin Fashion Film Festival. From July 12th to 13th at Columbia Theater, Berlin. 

Our cover was shot by Frauke Bönsch. 

Emphasising the company's close cooperation with all the hidden stars behind the camera and on set, with a wink of an eye FGV Schmidle claims "We are 'Making of!'"

FGV is deeply rooted in the international film industry, and with vast experience and an impressive inventory has been providing leading production services for decades. Consistent cooperation and communication is a vital part of the company’s knowledge base. As a result, clients are able to do their jobs better, be it with the latest high-tech equipment, through the team's technically demanding solutions, or even its own developments.

Established in 1972, and with home bases in Munich and Berlin, FGV Rental provides services including camera systems (digital, film, and photo), lighting (daylight, tungsten, LED, tube, photo), grip (from cranes to dollies, tripods, stands and more), and vehicles, all with a 24/7 rental pick-up and return policy.

A 700 m² / 7,500 sq.ft. studio located on the Munich premises benefits from great transportation connections. Features include a ceiling height of 12m/40ft, motorised green- and blue-screens, three motorised rigs for loads of up to two tons each, a 7x14m (24x46ft) ceiling reflector, a Cyclorama covering two walls (24x29x11m / 79x95x36ft), production offices, an industry standard kitchen and parking lot.

Digirox offers high-end digital photographic support and post-production. Up-to-date equipment and experienced digital technicians provide an expert service and streamlined workflow. Backed by many years of experience, the post-production department sets the highest standards for retouching.

Recent productions include:

• Armin Morbach for Schwarzkopf and Catrice.
• Blasius Erlinger for Peruvian Connection.
• Karsten Koch for Vitamalz.
• Seregel for Marc Cain and Deichmann.

Operating for over 10 years from locations in Hamburg and Munich, Knackscharf Rent is a reliable partner for national and international photo and advertising productions of all sizes.

The team always delivers the right solution, even when faced with complex tasks. In-house equipment covers all indoor and outdoor production needs and includes DSLR and medium format systems, lighting technology, grip and consumables, digital equipment and even production vehicles from all major manufacturers.

Knackscharf satisfies all customer needs in terms of logistics by organising equipment transport both within Germany and abroad. Additionally, the innovative K24 dropboxes are available to clients, allowing for easy pick up and/or return of equipment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In addition to equipment rental, Knackscharf operates five rental studios in Hamburg and Munich under the name Highnoon Studios. With simultaneous booking of studio and equipment, customers benefit from an additional 10% discount on equipment.

Through its extensive network Knackscharf also supports clients in their search for photo assistants, digital operators, location scouts, stylists and other production team members. As the motto goes: "We love service!" Visit the website for more information.

A roomy ground floor studio providing a large infinity cove (width 12m, height 4.90m, depth 10m), Highnoon White offers enough space for more than one set at a time. In total the facility measures 407m² (the studio area itself measures 326m² with no columns to get in the way), and is accessible via a rolling shutter gate. The studio provides nine parking spaces for cars as well as delivery vans.

In-house equipment rental service Knackscharf guarantees a wide range of equipment, with instant availability. Clients working in the studio receive a 10% discount on all rental equipment provided by Knackscharf.

Studio facilities include one 63A and two 32A high-voltage current connections, WiFi, dividing walls, polyboards and a good deal more. Two generous hair and make-up workplaces and a styling room with large mirrors, steamer, iron and ironing board as well as racks for shoes complete the offer.

"For us 'fair play' is not an empty phrase, therefore we won't surprise you with hidden costs. The studio fees include cleaning, electricity (excluding HMI and other continuous light) and heating. Prices are available on request. Just give us a call and tell us your needs."

Sonoton Music offers more than 140,000 music tracks in a huge range of genres, styles, moods, rhythms and lengths. Its intuitive music search program SONOfind helps find the perfect track within seconds for trailers, TV, film or corporate productions.

Sonoton Music has been placed in Oscar-winning movies like this year’s Best Picture winner 'The Shape of Water'. Sonoton tracks have also been used in major advertising campaigns for companies such as McDonald's, Adidas, Coca-Cola, Google and many more.

Patrick Reinig is from Regensburg and works for clients who know about the value of photography for corporate communications.

His latest campaigns include:

• Branding campaign for das Stadtwerk.Regensburg.
• 360° virtual tours for das Stadtwerk.Westbad.
• Team shoots for der Versorger.REWAG.
• Marketing campaign for RVV - Regensburger Verkehrsverbund GmbH.

Visit the website for more information.

Scott Redinger-Libolt, now based in Cologne, studied commercial art in Los Angeles. Advertising photography is his specialty and he really enjoys shooting active lifestyle subjects like biking and sportswear.

With over 25 years' experience in photography, production and art direction, Scott brings a valuable set of skills and insight to every project. Scott just opened his newest studio, 'LuftHaus' in Cologne.