For Steffen Grap, it’s all about having the freedom to explore and develop your own unique style. And he’s done the exploration—he’s a skater, photographer, collage artist, illustrator, and more. Steffen is always in the creative process, finding inspiration at the edge of his comfort zone and bringing it all together in his work.
As part of our Go create project, we gave Steffen Grap a Polaroid Go camera to capture his always-on creative life in Berlin. The result? Photos and collages that synthesize lots of little moments into a much bigger mood.
Developing: When does inspiration come most easily to you?
Steffen Grap: I would say, inspiration comes most easily to me while travelling and experiencing a lot of new adventures but I can also get really inspired by daily situations. There just needs to be something that makes me wanna capture this one specific magical moment.
D: What is the most important part of your creative process?
SG: The most important part to my creative process is definitely freedom. The freedom to do what I want to do and the freedom to show my style and the aesthetic the way I want to show it.
D: What is something you wish people understood about the creative process?
SG: For me the creative process is endless because it‘s always about developing your style and your aesthetic and keep on creating new things you just never did before. It’s about shaping yourself, it’s about going somewhere – it doesn’t matter if it’s back or forth because what matters is that you’re never just standing still and [that you don’t] stop creating.
“For me the creative process is endless because it’s always about developing your style and your aesthetic and keep on creating new things you just never did before”
D: Can you share an example of how something inspired you and what you made from that inspiration?
SG: I actually started skateboarding and photography at the same time when I was about 13 years old. My best friend at this time got me into it and it really got me hooked. Once I started I just couldn’t stop and realized really quickly that’s what I wanna do. For me skateboarding is really really important for my creativity, without skateboarding I think I would never ever be where I am today.
“It’s always a never-ending process of developing yourself and your style. Don’t stick to the one thing just because it works – always try new stuff which gets you out of your comfort zone.”
D: What recommendations would you give to your fellow creatives seeking inspiration?
SG: Actually you can’t force seeking inspiration because first you need to realize what you like and what not, then you have to take a look around you and turn the things you like or you would like to show into your own style. Don’t copy things one to one, also if it’s not perfect, because as long as it is you, it’s good! It’s always a never ending process of developing yourself and your style. Don’t stick to the one thing just because it works – always try new stuff which gets you out of your comfort zone.
D: Can you share a bit about what Polaroid means to you?
SG: Actually I’m using Polaroid cameras already, since a long time, and always been in love with the instant outcome. It’s amazing for every kind of scenario–I mean you can use it to catch nice memories with your friends as well as while you’re shooting a fashion project. For me Polaroid is just a legendary brand with legendary aesthetic.
D: What excites you most about the Go create project?
SG: I think what excites me most about the Go create project is that I can show my kinda everyday life without staging anything. The camera is small and super easy to handle, so it‘s perfect for spontaneous shots, which just suits me perfectly.
D: What’s next for you?
SG: Right now I am working on a photo magazine which I would like to release in Japan later this year. It will be a mix of travelling, skateboarding, lifestyle, and a little bit of fashion and I’m really excited to see what I can create in the next couple of months.
See more of Steffen’s work on Instagram @steffen.grap or go BTS and meet some of our other creators, like Madrona Redhawk, Quinn Whitney Wilson and Arlo Parks. Looking to capture your own inspiration on the go? Pick up our tiny new creative tool — the Polaroid Go camera. We can’t wait to see what you’ll create.