CREDITS – All images sourced from Team Reinhardt Kenneth
At the mere age of 14, ace creative director and photographer, Reinhardt Kenneth was featured in Vogue Italia—speaking volumes about the talented artist that he is.
Born in Indonesia, Kenneth’s work is now globally acclaimed as a creative director and a noted fashion photographer. His work is known for its ability to tell compelling stories through his impeccable visuals. Influenced by powerful, unapologetic women like his mother, Lady Gaga and Princess Diana, he portrays his subjects with a deep sense of identity and strength.
In this interview with The Peacock Magazine, Kenneth talks about how he manages to carefully bring together planning with improvisation, creating images that transcend photography to become art and how he remains deeply connected to his roots and the mentors who have shaped his path.
Q) What were your growing-up years like
Reinhardt Kenneth (RK): I grew up in Indonesia, immersed in a family deeply rooted in the fashion industry. My mother is an exceptional celebrity fashion designer, and my father owns a textile store. From an early age, I was surrounded by the beauty of fashion, which naturally became my “language”. In fact, I believe I learned to draw before I even learned to speak. I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember.
Q) When and how did you find yourself interested in fashion photography
RK: I began exploring fashion photography at a young age, inspired by images on Tumblr, which led me to experiment with my family’s pocket digital camera. Winning a school photography competition soon after caught my parents’ attention, and they gifted me my first DSLR camera. Within a month of using the professional camera, I was honoured to be featured in Vogue Italia at 14. This was followed by several digital exhibitions at notable venues such as the Louvre, Art Basel Miami, and various locations in New York and Italy. During this period, I was also navigating my personal and artistic development as a young adult. Despite receiving recognition from prestigious institutions, I faced challenges in Indonesia, where my approach was often seen as unconventional. This experience influenced my decision to pursue an international career. Discovering fashion photography confirmed for me that this was the right path. The ability to tell a story through crafted visuals is an experience I find deeply rewarding. Now I operate full-time as a creative director and photographer with ARTCODED–which is a production company/agency which was founded by my partner Gina Kim-Park
Q) How does the location of the shoot inspire the photographer in you
RK: Indeed, my recent focus on location shooting has been a return to my roots. Last year, I realised I had become too comfortable with studio work, often relying on the excuse that we could digitally create the environment. While this approach was practical, it somewhat diminished the authentic magic of photography. Growing up, I was quite rebellious. Unlike many photographers in Indonesia who preferred capturing beautiful natural scenes, I chose to explore and photograph in more challenging and sometimes dangerous environments. My work from that period had a notably darker tone. One of my most memorable recent shoots was at the Salton Sea in California. After extensive travel to New York, The Hamptons, and Texas, I returned to LA and undertook a shoot in the Salton Sea under extreme conditions—120-degree (49°C) heat and an area contaminated with toxic particles in the water and sand. The outcome of that shoot was transformative for me, marking a significant turning point in my career.
Q) You’re a photographer and an artist. Where does your love for multimedia stem from?
RK: The ability to tell stories through photography initially drew me to the field. However, with advancements in digital art and multimedia, we can now extend that reality to create surreal and imaginative worlds beyond our wildest dreams. This capacity to, so to speak, “vomit my mind” or “visualize my dreams” into a photograph is truly extraordinary. I believe this evolution is at the heart of my deepening passion for the art form.
Q) How did you prepare for your shoots?
RK: I always make sure we have good music, a great team, and a clear direction for our shoots. I like to “build worlds” when I shoot. Who’s the girl we’re portraying? What’s her message? Why is she wearing this gorgeous couture? These details help shape the story and bring the vision to life.
Q) Do you stick to the concept you had in your mind or do you improvise?
RK: I always tell my team to create an incredible, detailed mood board and plan everything precisely. It’s important to think through every aspect and use that preparation as a reference during the shoot. However, once we start, I encourage breaking the rules and letting things flow organically. This approach helps us make the project uniquely ours. When you become too fixated on replicating inspiration, you might end up just mimicking it. Instead, focus on making the vision your own—being inspired, but not replicating.
Q) Where/in whom do you find your photography muse?
RK: MUSE – that’s a big word right there. I grew up being deeply inspired by powerful, beautiful, and unapologetic women such as Diana M Putri (my mother), Lady Gaga, Anna May Wong, and Princess Diana. This inspiration shapes how I portray women in my work. One thing remains certain: the muses I capture always know who they are and are unapologetic about it. My goal is for my muses to change the world, one sequin at a time.
Q) What sets your mood for photographing?
RK: When it comes to music, I don’t typically pose my models in specific ways. Instead, I focus on building “scenes” for them. I often describe the emotion, environment, or story I want to convey in the image, paired with a particular tune. This approach creates a harmonious blend of movement, expression, and performance, resulting in a final photograph that feels dynamic and alive.
Q) How do you prepare yourself before any shoot?
RK: Words of affirmation, prayers, and a good lavender latte with oats or soy milk. Sometimes, I get enough sleep; which is rare! (laughs)
Q) Which has been your most coveted project so far?
RK: I would say the project I’m currently working on is the most significant. While I can’t share details just yet due to NDAs (non-disclosure agreements), this project feels like the culmination of all the manifestations I’ve subconsciously applied to my life over the years—it’s the ultimate goal. The best part is that I’ve been able to collaborate with my best friends on this journey. This project has truly reignited my passion for the image-making process, reminding me of everything I love about what I do.
Q) Which of your personal shoots was challenging?
RK: I would say “HOURGLASS” stands out as a particularly special project for me, though it was also challenging because it revisited themes of nostalgia and the youthful spirit that originally drew me to this industry. Last year, in 2023, I started feeling jaded. Even though I was working on projects I once dreamed of, I found myself lacking fulfilment and creative freedom. To reconnect with my passion, I opened my old archives and revisited the work I created when I was younger. Though far from perfect, these early projects were bold, daring, and experimental, reminding me why I became a photographer in the first place. This reflection led me to shoot, edit, and create “HOURGLASS”, my first solo photo exhibition and second photo series. In this work, I captured incredible muses in the style of my younger self, almost as if paying homage to that earlier version of me. What once embarrassed me now inspires me more than ever to embrace the spirit of experimentation and revolution. “HOURGLASS” was incredibly well-received, featured in Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam, and debuted on the eve of my 26th birthday in West Hollywood, California, at the art dept, presented by ARTCODED.
Q) Which photograph of yours is your personal favourite?
RK: This is a constantly evolving answer for me, as all of my work feels like my children, making it difficult to choose a favourite. However, one image that has stayed with me over the years is ‘Halcyon’. I shot it back in middle school, capturing one of my best friends in the schoolyard as she flipped her hair and threw a bunch of old novels and dictionaries into the air. That image was featured in Vogue Italia’s PhotoVogue Best Photo of the Day and, in a way, put me on the map as a 16-year-old photographer in Indonesia, launching me onto a massive global platform.
Q) Which has been your favourite shoot in your journey till now?
RK: I would say our covers with Coco Rocha for Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam and WWD Korea were particularly special. I grew up watching Coco and was immediately drawn to the image-making process and the fashion industry because of her. Working with her was truly an honour and a dream come true. She’s a stellar force, and photographing her was a privilege. Coco is probably every fashion photographer’s dream model—she’s a master of her craft and a genuinely kind soul.
Q) One person who is on the top of your bucket list to shoot?
RK: Lady Gaga.
Q) Who are your biggest influences/mentors?
RK: My mother and I share a very special relationship. We are integral parts of each other’s lives and careers, and I consider her my biggest mentor, even in the creative field. One piece of advice from her that has always stayed with me is to remain humble, kind, and grateful, no matter what.
Q) What is the first thing you notice when you see other photographers’ work?
RK: I absolutely love seeing other photographers’ work. While it’s common to compare or compete with others in the field, I genuinely believe there’s room for everyone. What I appreciate most is the diversity in how each photographer interprets a subject. Every artist brings their own unique perspective, and I believe that should be celebrated.
Q) Who are your favourite photographers? Why?
RK: Nick Knight for his innovation, a true visionary. Steven Meisel for his provocative storytelling. David LaChapelle for his larger-than-life, whimsical, surreal iconography.
Q) What makes an ‘image’ a ‘photograph’?
RK: Photography is the art of painting with light. Do I believe that every photograph, regardless of the medium, is a photograph? Yes. However, not all photographs are art. What elevates a photograph to art is the message, perspective, and intent behind it. Art is a broad and often subjective concept, but ultimately, it’s the heart and soul of the artist that shines through and transforms a photograph into art. To revisit my point, I believe photographers are simply artists who paint with light instead of a paintbrush.
Q) What are some of the things you are obsessed about as a photographer?
RK: I’m obsessed with innovation, the ability to tell stories through photography, and the future of fashion photography. Watching the next generation of prodigies rise and take over is truly a breath of fresh air. I believe that individuality and inclusion are at the heart of this evolution, and it’s inspiring to see diverse voices and perspectives being celebrated. There’s so much beauty in embracing uniqueness, and it’s this diversity that continues to push the boundaries of what fashion photography can be.
Q) If you could choose just one person to photograph you, who would it be?
RK: Absolutely, Elizaveta Porodina.
Q) One celebrity who’s your favourite to shoot with?
RK: Tinashe was a dream to shoot—she’s effortlessly stunning and incredible to work with.
Q) Who is Reinhardt when not a photographer and artist?
RK: This is something I’ve thought a lot about lately. Most people can switch between their work life and personal life, but for me, photography and art started as a passion and a part of my identity, not just a career. I don’t ever really stop being an artist or a photographer. But beyond that, I’m also a son, a brother, a loyal friend to some, and an acquaintance to many.
Q) What passion do you harbour apart from photography?
RK: Even though it’s closely tied to my photography, I would have to say that fashion and my love for cinema are my biggest passions. These are some of the main references and inspirations in everything I do.
Q) What are some of your favourite photography tools?
RK: My go-to is the Canon 5D Mark IV—it’s been my main choice since I moved to LA. This camera has travelled with me through vast cities, diverse terrains, and countless journeys.
Q) What are your future plans?
RK: I can’t say much due to NDAs, but let’s just say you’ll be seeing a lot of Reinhardt everywhere soon.