Inspiration to Process: Georg Holz

He likes to say that he doesn’t think about his photography much, but the truth is that he is always thinking about it. His inspiration is momentum.”
On the farm, in the barn, the workshop, even up on a hunting stand, we spoke with photographer George Holz all afternoon, but it was his wife, writer, Jennifer Holz, who provided this perfect summation of her husband’s photo practice.
To be fair, Holz had been working around this idea throughout our conversations and when I mentioned what Jennifer Holz had said, he agreed immediately, adding, “it’s really adrenaline that inspires me.”

Madonna, Borderline, Hollywood, 1983 © George Holz

A quick look at his body of work will give a sense of just how much adrenaline he must really have. While probably best known for his intimate portraits of A-list celebrities, it’s Holz’s myriad magazine and album covers, movie posters, fashion shoots, and fine-art nudes that provide an even truer sense of the depth and sweep of his incredibly well-crafted photography.
But let’s get back to the farm. Cory and I were warmed by the hospitality of the Holzes when we visited their home in the Catskills, which itself has become known as a location, atelier, and respite for many photographers over the years. On the day we visited, it offered a snow-covered slice of winter paradise we both sorely needed.