At age 30, Stefan Rappo left Switzerland and his job as a designer and constructor of heavy forestry equipment to study at  Toulouse’s Ecole de la Photographie et  Game Design.  Photography had captured his imagination and proved to be a turning point in his life. After graduation in 2004, he follows his mentor’s advice and moved to Paris where he joined PIN UP Studios as a studio assistant.  It was here that Stefan mastered all aspects of commercial production, discovered the world of professional photography and confirmed his passion for image making. In 2007, Stefan began working for celebrated photographers and industry leaders like Camilla Akrans, and Bruno Aveillan. From 2012-2019, for eight career-defining years, he was Peter Lindbergh’s first assistant. Their relationship was founded on respect, trust, loyalty, a passion for creativity and a dedication to photography and the result was a profound friendship.

Stefan’s narrative approach to cinematic storytelling, and nude and portrait photography is intuitive.  Rather than set standards for aesthetics or beauty his images touch the viewer. Black and white, color, clarity and dreaminess are tools he uses in his signature narrative approach to photography. Each work transports us to a hidden place with a story.  And the models, his protagonists, embody his stylistic language while expressing themselves with complete freedom.  Stefan’s work bridges the boundaries between commercial and art photography, and is marked with a  respect for his models, the creative process, and the client.

Stefan’s projects are produced across platforms like books, films, photography, and commercial and studio productions. He has published three books —Visage de la Photo (self-published, 2008), Nude (teNeues, 2019) and Tezz (La belle Etoile*, 2024). His photographs have been published internationally in CR Magazine, German Vogue, British Vogue, W-Magazine, MAX Magazine and GQ France. He works with international clients on various continents.

Stefan is currently based in Paris.