SILENT PORTRAITS
Dublin Core
Title
SILENT PORTRAITS
Subject
Portraiture
Description
SILENT PORTRAITS — Axel Kirchhoff
What becomes visible when a person turns inward? In SILENT PORTRAITS, Axel Kirchhoff explores this question through 122 black-and-white portraits of 66 practitioners from more than 27 contemplative traditions. The portraits look beyond outward identity to explore what is revealed in moments of stillness.
At the heart of the project are opening up, recognising and letting go. Accompanied by 66 personal quotations, the photographs invite close attention to each person’s presence and individuality—and leave space for the viewer’s own reflection. Rather than explaining the inner world, SILENT PORTRAITS invites us to look closely at what lies beyond words.
Published by Seltmann Publishers, this German–English hardcover combines approximately 320 pages of photography and text with design by Roland Stieger of TGG and printing by Niedermann Druck in St. Gallen. A book for readers drawn to portrait photography, contemplative practice and the quiet complexity of human expression.
Explore the book and purchase your copy at www.silent-portraits.ch.
What becomes visible when a person turns inward? In SILENT PORTRAITS, Axel Kirchhoff explores this question through 122 black-and-white portraits of 66 practitioners from more than 27 contemplative traditions. The portraits look beyond outward identity to explore what is revealed in moments of stillness.
At the heart of the project are opening up, recognising and letting go. Accompanied by 66 personal quotations, the photographs invite close attention to each person’s presence and individuality—and leave space for the viewer’s own reflection. Rather than explaining the inner world, SILENT PORTRAITS invites us to look closely at what lies beyond words.
Published by Seltmann Publishers, this German–English hardcover combines approximately 320 pages of photography and text with design by Roland Stieger of TGG and printing by Niedermann Druck in St. Gallen. A book for readers drawn to portrait photography, contemplative practice and the quiet complexity of human expression.
Explore the book and purchase your copy at www.silent-portraits.ch.
Creator
Axel Abdur Rahman Kirchhoff
Publisher
Seltmann Publishers, Berlin (Germany)
Date
May, 2025
Format
Hardcover, 150/170 g/m², Profibulk matt coated, 2-colour Pantone printing
Photobook Item Type Metadata
Dimensions
27,4 cm - 24,7 - 3,0 cm
Number of Pages
320
Number of images
188
Edition Size
1,000 copies
Place of Publication
St. Gallen - switzerland
Designer
Roland Stieger, TGG - St. Gallen
Editor
Sonja Knecht
Printer
Niedermann Druck AG, St. Gallen
ISBN
978-3-949070-66-2
Website
https://axel-kirchhoff.ch/
URL Link to project
https://www.silent-portraits.ch/
Where to buy
https://www.silent-portraits.ch/product/shop-portraitfotografie-schweiz
https://chk.me/mopyfUW
https://chk.me/mopyfUW
Links to reviews
https://photobookjournal.com/2025/12/29/axel-kirchhoff-silent-portraits/
https://www.yoga-aktuell.de/gesundheit-und-ayurveda/achtsamkeit/silent-portraits-eine-reise-in-die-welt-der-meditation-und-der-selbsterfahrung/
https://www.fotointern.ch/archiv/2025/06/14/buchtipp-axel-kirchhoff-silent-portraits/
https://pocketmags.com/us/breathe-magazine/issue-077/articles/path-to-peace
https://bellevue.nzz.ch/reisen-entdecken/kultur/susanne-bartsch-transformation-im-museum-fuer-gestaltung-ld.1888313
https://ursachewirkung-marktplatz.com/vendors/ursachewirkung/130-stille
https://www.yoga-aktuell.de/gesundheit-und-ayurveda/achtsamkeit/silent-portraits-eine-reise-in-die-welt-der-meditation-und-der-selbsterfahrung/
https://www.fotointern.ch/archiv/2025/06/14/buchtipp-axel-kirchhoff-silent-portraits/
https://pocketmags.com/us/breathe-magazine/issue-077/articles/path-to-peace
https://bellevue.nzz.ch/reisen-entdecken/kultur/susanne-bartsch-transformation-im-museum-fuer-gestaltung-ld.1888313
https://ursachewirkung-marktplatz.com/vendors/ursachewirkung/130-stille
Collection
Citation
Axel Kirchhoff, “SILENT PORTRAITS,” Photobook Cafe Photobook Collection, accessed October 13, 2026, https://photobookcafe-archive.co.uk/items/show/2398.