Die Analog-Astronauten Carmen Koehler und Inigo Munoz Elorza bei einer Außenbordaktivität während des Pressetages der AMADEE-15-Mars-Simulation auf dem Kaunertaler Gletscher in Tirol, Österreich

laif Agency

Images that Stay

The laif agency stands for independent photojournalism and, with over 400 of the best documentary photographers, is Germany’s largest agency for high-quality photography – with an international network worldwide.

For over 40 years, laif photographers have been documenting the world in photographs: personal, empathetic, unfiltered and unmistakable. Together with the international network of the laif agency, they make an important journalistic and photographic contribution to describing the world and depicting our present.

„We work with more than 300 agencies, including well-known partners such as laif, Getty Images, AP and Magnum.
The laif agency in Cologne is particularly important to us, as it represents most of the very, very good photographers in Germany."

Andreas Trampe, Senior Picture Editor at STERN Picture Editorial Department, in Fachjournalist (25 October 2023)

Franziska Gilli/laif

Among Queens

The Power of our Photography

The photographers at the laif agency work according to journalistic standards: they document accurately, transparently and truthfully. Their work highlights important social issues.
Our photographers bring experience in visual storytelling to the table. If you are looking for authentic imagery for your own communications, you will find partners here with journalistic skills and creative power.

laif Agency

Over 40 years of photography with attitude

The laif photo agency was founded in 1981 by photojournalists Günter Beer, Jürgen Bindrim, Manfred Linke and Guenay Ulutuncok. In its early years, the portfolio already included reports from Latin America and Africa as well as travel photography. With the expansion of the team – including Regina Bermes as the first woman and other influential female photographers – laif developed into a professional photography agency. In the early 1990s, Peter Bitzer, as managing partner, brought about a decisive professionalisation that ensured the agency’s growth and long-term stability.

The founders of laif, Jürgen Bindrim, Günter Beer, Manfred Linke and Guenay Ulutuncok (from left to right) in their first shared office at Luxemburger Str. 72 in Cologne.

„From the best the most"

Samuel Zuder/laif

Face To Faith – Mount Kailash – Tibet

laif today

In August 2020, Silke Frigge took over as managing director of laif. The focus remains on high-quality photojournalism, complemented by socio-political engagement in many laif exhibitions and collaborations.
At the same time, laif encourages the photographers’ own initiative, supports their individual projects, and promotes targeted marketing and social media visibility. Quality, relevant content and professional distribution form the basis of the agency.

laif Agency

laif Agency

Images that Stay

„We work with more than 300 agencies, including well-known partners such as laif, Getty Images, AP and Magnum. The laif agency in Cologne is particularly important to us, as it represents most of the very, very good photographers in Germany."

The Power of our Photography

Over 40 years of photography with attitude

„From the best the most"

laif today

„We work with more than 300 agencies, including well-known partners such as laif, Getty Images, AP and Magnum.
The laif agency in Cologne is particularly important to us, as it represents most of the very, very good photographers in Germany."