Biography – Roman Härer
For more than two decades, I was part of the management team and creative director at plainpicture (Hamburg), responsible for the artistic direction of our content: defining visual language, identifying and onboarding photographers internationally, researching trends, and turning cultural insight into clear creative briefs and productions. I also founded and developed international entities in New York, Paris, and London, building cross-border collaboration and a global perspective on how imagery performs in different editorial and commercial contexts.
Through my additional training as a CSR Manager, I’ve developed a strong, practical understanding of how responsible governance, stakeholder thinking, and sustainable decision-making can strengthen a brand’s credibility and resilience.
Professional career
2026
Founder of glance-photographers.com / photographer’s representation agency www.glance-photographers.com
2026
transformation is beautiful. / Coaching & Art Direction www.transformation is beautiful..com
2001 – 2025
Creative Director and Managing Partner at plainpicture GmbH, Hamburg
• Management
• Artistic and photographic direction of content: concept development, international orientation of visual language, selection of photographers
• Research into photographic trends and conceptual implementation in briefings
• Strategic planning and production of shoots
2020
Jury member lensculture / www.lensculture.com
2016 – 2018
Curator of the Glance Gallery / Limited editions by plainpicture photographers
2015
Co-Curator plainpicture photographers for the Masterpiece Edition / masterpiece-edition.de
2012 – 2018
Board member of „Freundeskreis des Hauses der Photographie e. V.“, Hamburg
2010
Founded plainpicture Inc., New York
2007
Founded plainpicture Sarl in Paris and plainpicture Ltd. in London
2005
Curator of the exhibition ‘daheim’ at the FREELENS Gallery, Hamburg
2003 – 2005
Lecturer at Design Factory International, Hamburg
2001
Founding of plainpicture GmbH, Hamburg
1994 – 2000
Freelance as art director, photographer and art buyer
2000
Erasmus scholarship: Student exchange Hamburg/Marseille
1998
Diploma in Fine Arts / HfbK, Hamburg
1995
Diploma in Design / University of Applied Sciences, Bielefeld
1988 – 1990
Photo assistant, Stuttgart
Portfolio Reviews / Jury / Viewings
2025
Les Rencontres d’Arles 2025 / Photo Folio Reviewer
2021
Les Rencontres d’Arles 2021 / Photo Folio Reviewer(Remote)
2021
lensculture Jury Member for the Portrait Award 2021
2019
Festival Voies Off 2019, Arles / Portfolio Reviewer
2018
Les Rencontres d’Arles 2018 and Festival Voies Off 2018 / Reviewer
2017
Festival Voies Off 2017, Arles / Portfolio Reviewer
2016
Freundeskreis des Hauses der Photographie Deichtorhalle, Hamburg / Portfolio Reviewer
2016
Festival Voies Off 2016, Arles / Portfolio Reviewer
2016
Festival Circulation(s) – Festival de la jeune photographie européenne, Paris / Lecteur de portfolios
2015
Festival Voies Off 2015, Arles / Portfolio Reviewer
2014
FOTO OFF 2014, Paris / Portfolio Reviewer
2014
Freundeskreis des Hauses der Photographie Deichtorhalle, Hamburg / Portfolio Reviewer
2014
Festival Voies Off 2014, Arles / Portfolio Reviewer
2014
Festival Circulation(s) – Festival de la jeune photographie européenne, Paris / Lecteur de portfolios
2013
LensCulture fotofestparis, Paris
2013
Festival Voies Off 2013, Arles / Portfolio Reviewer
2012
Mois de la Photo 2012, Paris / Portfolio Reviewer
2012
Festival Voies Off 2012, Arles / Portfolio Reviewer
2012
Festival Circulation(s) – Festival de la jeune photographie européenne, Paris / Lecteur de portfolios
2011 – 2017
Lecturer at the SPÉOS School of Photography, Paris / Expert Module”: Visual language, trends, and portfolio review
2006 – 2011
Festival Voies Off, Arles / Portfolio Reviewer
2006 – 2008
Fotobild Berlin, Berlin / Portfolio Reviewer