The “70 years of Porsche sports car” anniversary made it all possible: Peter Lindbergh, known for his fashion photography and his images of well-known subjects, has done Porsche the honour of making the concept study of the first fully electric Porsche, the Mission E, and the iconic 911 sports car the subjects of a new series of photographs.
The location for this very special interpretation of the Porsche anniversary was a beach in Ault, northern France. “For me, Porsche has always expressed something unique, something personal. And always without any claim to perfection. The result is a unique kind of poetry”, says Lindbergh.


The “Porsche Talent Project” is just the latest chapter in the Stuttgart-based automotive manufacturer’s ongoing history of involvement in culture and the arts. Among the events supported by Porsche are the Leipzig Opera Ball and the Ludwigsburg Festival. Porsche also has long-standing co-operations with internationally renowned institutions such as the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Stuttgart Ballet.

What made you want to photograph this Porsche project? What did you see in it?
This was an interesting project for me on a number of levels. For one thing, the prospect of shooting a classic 911 and the first fully electric Porsche together was incredibly appealing. I was also excited by the idea of integrating people into this scene in a very natural way. And none of the subjects, neither human nor car, was dependent on the other. The two models knew exactly what to do to make sure it didn’t just look as though we’d posed people in front of a car. It was very interesting to observe this process. And the result was a unique kind of poetry. Luckily we had bad weather. The images would never have had this striking effect under a blue sky.
Porsche is steeped in tradition, a legendary German brand. Are there also historical aspects to your photographic interpretation of this topic?
Back when I was a child, my knees would begin to tremble when I heard the sound of a Porsche engine. I think it’s wonderful when moments like this become memories that inspire you. For me, the Porsche legend was always something very special. And the brand has continued to express itself in a unique and personal way. I’ve always appreciated that.
When you photograph a car, do you also feel a human connection?
Yes, although that is dependent on one thing: I need to be given complete freedom to take authentic photos. Just like on this shoot. Porsche gave me free rein, and it was a wonderful and informative experience for me.
Photos by Peter Lindbergh and Skander Khlif