Interview with Ella Mettler

In this interview, Ella Mettler explains why it’s so important for her to constantly experiment with new styles, what inspires her, and what the printed presentation of her photographs means to her.

You’ve been self-employed since you were 16. What inspired you to take that path at such a young age?

There was never one defining moment when I decided to become a photographer. It felt like a very natural journey. Ever since I received my first camera at the age of three, photography has been a constant source of joy and fascination. When the opportunity arose to turn it into a career at 16, it simply felt right. I was curious, eager to work creatively, and excited to build something of my own.

What inspired me most from the very beginning was the opportunity to collaborate with so many incredible people. Those encounters and the stories behind them remain one of the most rewarding parts of my work to this day.

Your work has a very distinctive visual signature. How would you describe your style in three words?

Vibrant, colourful, and playful.

At the same time, I love exploring new visual directions and continuously evolving as a photographer. I truly believe you never stop learning, and experimentation is what keeps my creativity alive. Bold colours and direct flash are recurring elements in my work, but I also enjoy reinterpreting and refining my style with every new project.

Nemo – Photo: Ella Mettler

Colour plays a major role in your photography. How consciously do you plan your colour palettes, or is it more intuitive?

It’s a bit of both. I think about colour very deliberately because it has such a powerful impact on mood and emotion. At the same time, I always leave room for intuition. My colour palettes often develop quite naturally, guided by my personal taste or the story I want to tell.

When I’m responsible not only for the photography but also for the creative direction—from styling to location—I’m naturally drawn to bold, joyful colours or I intentionally seek out unique colourful elements.

That said, I’m not tied to one particular aesthetic. I also find minimal, understated imagery and black-and-white photography incredibly compelling. To me, colour isn’t simply decorative, nor is it essential. It’s a creative tool that I use whenever it best supports the story, the mood, or the brand. Often, the strongest images emerge when I’m willing to move beyond my original plan.

Stefanie Giesinger – Photo: Ella Mettler | Acrylic glass makes the image particularly expressive. A black Aluminum ArtBox creates a striking contrast and, with its 75 mm frame depth, gives the image an impressive sense of spatial presence.

What inspires you most when you’re photographing? Is it your surroundings, people, books, films, or simply everyday life?

Honestly, all of it. That’s exactly what I love about photography—inspiration is everywhere. It can come from films, music, or art, but just as easily from meeting new people, travelling, a landscape, a restaurant, a particular scent, or an ordinary moment in everyday life.

Everything I experience, see, or feel can eventually become the starting point for an image.

Khrystyana – Photo: Ella Mettler

What makes a visual story truly compelling, especially in a world saturated with content?

A powerful story stays with you because it makes you feel something.

Is there a photograph that has stayed with you because of the story behind it?

To be honest, there isn’t just one. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people and capturing so many unforgettable moments that countless photographs carry meaningful stories for me. That’s exactly what makes photography so special.

Bill Kaulitz – Photo: Ella Mettler

You’ve recently built your own studio. What does this milestone mean for your work?

Having my own studio means so much to me. It’s a space that I’ve been able to shape entirely around my creative needs—for photo shoots, creative sessions, meetings, and connecting with others. At the same time, it’s a place I love sharing with fellow creatives—a space where people can come together, exchange ideas, and collaborate.

It’s been an incredibly important step in my journey, and I’m very grateful to have made this dream a reality.

You’re planning to display your WhiteWall prints as large-format pieces in your studio. What do you look for when choosing formats, materials, and frames for your work?

For me, the most important thing was choosing an image that I know I’ll still love years from now—something I’ll genuinely enjoy looking at every single day. I chose a photograph I took in Los Angeles with Jake Flemming in front of a 7-Eleven.

When it comes to presentation, I’m drawn to a clean, timeless aesthetic. That’s why I chose an oversized white frame—it complements my work perfectly while keeping the focus entirely on the image itself.

Jake Flemming – Photo: Ella Mettler | The Basel Floater Frame makes the image appear to float. Combined with a glossy photo print on aluminum Dibond, it brings the vibrant colors to life.

What role does the physical print play for you in the age of digital photography?

A very important one. On a screen, we often consume images in just a matter of seconds. A print almost forces you to slow down and really look. For me, printing gives a photograph even more significance. It becomes tangible and finds a permanent place in the world.

How was your experience with WhiteWall? What impressed you most about the quality or the overall process?

What impressed me most was the consistency. Especially with colour-rich images, it’s incredibly important that colours, contrast, and fine details are reproduced accurately. At the same time, the entire ordering process was seamless and professional. When presentation matters as much as it does to me, that level of reliability is invaluable.

Riley Rodriguez – Photo: Ella Mettler | A white passe-partout gives the image space, while the Fine Art Print on Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta X brings out details and subtle color nuances. The image can also be easily swapped out in the Changeable Magnetic Frame.