The Power of Being Present: How Sandro Baebler Creates Portraits Through Connection

For Photographer and Director Sandro Babeler, portraiture is less about controlling a scene and more about responding to it. Raised between the tranquility of a small Swiss village and the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Alps, Sandro brings this balance of serenity and intensity to his work. Whether he's photographing elite athletes mid-motion or capturing a quiet, telling moment during a celebrity shoot, Sandro’s approach is rooted in simplicity, instinct, and a deep respect for the subject in front of his lens. With a background in graphic design and a natural eye for lighting, he creates images that are both refined and dynamic—minimalist in palette but rich in story.

Sandro's portraits stand out for their sense of calm and clarity, even in high-pressure environments. Drawing from his love of outdoor sports and his connection to nature, he often infuses his work with a subtle energy, combining studio techniques with natural settings and relying on his intuition to guide the shoot. We recently spoke with Sandro about his portrait photography—how he connects with his subjects, what makes an image endure, and the unique challenges that come with photographing people at their most exposed.

How do you approach capturing someone’s personality in a portrait?

Every shoot is unique. I sometimes create an intimate set to minimize distractions and help my subject feel comfortable. For celebrity shoots, I often watch interviews beforehand to understand what motivates them, allowing me to develop a conversation quickly and put them at ease. In other cases, I rely on music to get different emotions from the subjects. The energy can be very different, but it’s always a collaboration.

Sometimes, I work with celebrities who are artists themselves—actors, directors, musicians, etc. These individuals tend to be easier to work with because they bring a certain understanding of the artistic process. Other times, I’m photographing subjects who may not be very familiar with the camera and are eager for the session to end as quickly as possible.

Regardless of the situation, my job is to deliver stunning photographs in both cases.

How do you approach storytelling through portrait photography?

With my portraits, I try to highlight certain personal characteristics so that you can understand the person better and establish a connection. Sometimes, these characteristics are omnipresent, but other times they are only noticeable for a brief moment of our session.

What challenges do you face when taking portraits?

There are countless challenges to be ready for, and you always need to have a plan B and C ready to be implemented quickly. Challenges can be:

Pressure: There are already many great portraits of most celebrities out there, which is why there is always a certain amount of pressure when preparing for such an appointment.

Time: Especially with celebrities, it's the short time window that you have to adhere to. My way of speaking has increasingly focused on making people feel comfortable in the first few seconds.

Limited impact: Depending on the shoot, you have little influence on certain key elements, e.g., styling/glam. For example, if the photo shoot is timed just a few minutes before another of the celebrity's important appointments. As a photographer, you are often guided by the celebrity's schedule, i.e. you take photos in an area that fits well into his/her schedule. These locations are sometimes photogenic, but unfortunately, sometimes not, which is why I always bring a mobile studio set-up with me, just in case.

Concept: Even if you have the opportunity to discuss a photo concept with the celeb’s team beforehand, it happens a lot that the celeb hears it for the first time from you on set.

What influences your choice of lighting, background, and composition in a portrait?

It’s mostly intuition and my inclination of "less is more." Once I pick up the camera on set, I feel like I’m in a completely different world, completely unaware of everything else around me. My focus is entirely on the person in front of me, and I’m driven by the urge to make the most of our time together. It’s pure tunnel vision for the best result.

How do you see AI or technology shaping the future of portrait photography?

So far, AI has not influenced my portrait photography at all, but I’m eagerly watching and learning the progress of AI-generated images. It is fascinating and soulless at the same time. AI-generated images will certainly have a place in portrait photography. However, I believe that the desire for humanity and real stories will keep traditional photography at the forefront.