Portraits of Kristian Bader – A Military Operation in Photography

The Swiss military has a truly remarkable way of keeping old connections alive—perhaps unrivaled in its efficiency. Seven years after my honorable discharge (yes, let’s call it that), I found myself reunited with an old acquaintance, now in need of portraits: none other than my former commander, Kristian.

The mission was clear. The objectives, non-negotiable. Speed and efficiency were paramount — because, naturally, a former commander wouldn’t have it any other way. No time for artistic soul-searching, no endless tinkering with lighting. Just precision, execution, and results.

With military-grade planning, we prepped for two hours — mapping out locations, testing setups, and ensuring that every angle served its purpose. Then, in just under an hour, I executed a photographic battle: six different setups, one decisive shoot, no wasted time. It was portraiture at full throttle.

And just like that, before the coffee had even cooled, Kristian was back at his desk, mission accomplished. Fast, effective, and straight to the point—just as any good commander would expect.