German, 1970
Björn Steinz, born in 1970 in Oberursel im Taunus, Germany, began his photographic journey early in life, capturing moments for a local newspaper in his former hometown during the late 1980s.
Motivated by his experience volunteering in refugee camps during the Yugoslav Wars and extensive travels in Latin America, he pursued photography academically, commencing his studies at the Department of Photography at the Prague Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) in 1994.
Since then, Björn has made Prague his home, immersing himself in the city’s rich culture and history. It was during his time as a student that he forged a deep connection with Prague, which continues to inspire his work today.
Specialising in documentary photography, photojournalism, and portraiture, Björn often sheds light on the social issues facing marginalised communities in Eastern Europe. In addition to his academic pursuits, Björn’s teaching career included a two-year tenure as Assistant Professor at Keimyung University in Daegu, South Korea. This experience broadened his perspective and enriched his understanding of diverse cultures and societies.
Over the years Björn ventured to Yakutia, Russia, a number of times, capturing the essence of this remote and unique region in the winter. Additionally, he has worked intensively in Roma communities all over Europe. His latest long-term project focuses on the Sudeten Germans, exploring his own family history and the former Sudetenland straddling the Czech-German border today.
His work has been featured in publications such as Du, Die Zeit, The Guardian, Der Stern, Geo Special, National Geographic, and the Open Society Foundations, among others.
Björn’s commitment extends beyond capturing images. He engages in long-term projects like “Finding Elvis,” which delved into the aftermath of the Bosnian War, and ongoing endeavours highlighting various societal challenges.
Since 2012, Björn has shared his expertise as a teacher of Documentary Photography and Visual Culture at the Anglo-American University in Prague.