Sometimes it took years for Rotterdam photographer Jos Kottmann to get the 110 DJs to be photographed by him. Among others Carl Cox, Derrick May, Joris Voorn and Sven Väth posed for the book. Mostly in the hotel, on the street and sometimes quickly in the club before or after booking.
''Often I tried to combine photography with other jobs. Sometimes that didn't work out and I really flew across the world for that one photo. DJ Faces not only shows my musical heroes, but also demonstrates the process of how house music has developed and spread around the world,'' Kottmann said.
Kottmann has succeeded in painting a realistic picture of the founding fathers of the dance scene. Their powerful and vulnerable sides are magnificently reflected in the raw black-and-white photographs. The quotes and personal stories that the Rotterdam native wrote together with producer and international disc jockey Derrick May also give the photographs extra charge. An ode to the founders of house music worldwide.
Love2Party
At the age of fourteen, Jos' love for house music began. He sacrificed everything for his hobby, combined with an education at the Photo Academy. From then on he started photographing at parties and in clubs. His passion formed the basis for the website Love2Party, an online platform for the house scene with which he gained access to meet and photograph DJs at parties backstage. He even built a close relationship with some of them, which is reflected in many of the portraits in the book.
Exhibition DJ Faces
Jos Kottmann is launching his book DJ Faces along with an exhibition on Oct. 17 at 5&33 Gallery. The expo will be on view until November 22. As of now, the beautiful book is available at Mendo in the 9 Streets.