Bio

‍

Svenja is a documentary photographer and storyteller whose work explores the profound connections between life, death, and cultural traditions.

After the loss of her father, Svenja founded “Stories Matter,” a platform dedicated to capturing the narratives that define our existence, especially in the face of mortality. Her work has taken her around the world, documenting death rituals such as Mexico’s Day of the Dead, Ghana’s fantasy coffins, and the sacred practices in Varanasi, India.

Svenja’s TED Talk, “Reimagining Life Through the Lens of Death,” delves into how facing mortality can inspire us to live with greater intention, using examples from her photography of stillborn children and her own pre-planned funeral as acts of legacy and celebration. Through her lens, Svenja invites us to see death not as an end, but as a profound influence that enriches the way we live our lives.