I think my first connection to Josef Zotter was because of my addiction to dark chocolate.
And because of that I visited the Zotter Experience World in Bergl. There I learned a lot about how my favourite chocolate was made. I knew before that all products are organic and fair trade, but there is so much more happening. Like the chocolate from Belize (my favourite one) travels emission free with the sailboat Avontuur over the ocean (click here). Or the edible zoo where you can “look the food in the eyes” (click here). I strongly recommend to visit the Austrian version of “Charlie and the chocolate factory” in Bergl. As one of you may have thought already, the portrait underneath is a homage to that.
I also remember during one of my visits there, that I saw him getting a stepladder and fixing something in front of his Chocolate Theatre by himself. This was long before I started my Inspired Series and back then I thought that its great to see successful people that are down to earth like him.
Many years after that I was very grateful that Josef Zotter took the time as a sitter for my Inspired portrait series.
He brought his new chocolate creation that is called “Hemp Joints in Grass Paper” with him.
I loved the idea to use the Joint during our session. And the tintype with the Grass Paper even turned out as one of my most favourite portraits.
A big thanks to Lilith Maris for assisting me again and also thanks to Studio Blendpunkt for providing me with their great studio and darkroom. I haven’t mentioned it for some time, but I want also thank Hensel for believing in me 9 years ago when I started with my wet plate journey. Last but not least, thanks a lot to my patreon supporters as well.
