We were lucky to catch up with Delia Baum recently and have shared our conversation below.

Delia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

It was clear to me early on that I would follow a creative path. As a child, I preferred to spend hours decorating my plate rather than eating straight away. At school, I particularly enjoyed the creative subjects – not because I was only ambitious, but because they just felt right. But I was a bad photographer when I was young, i remember my father was shocked about all my blurry pictures.

But I felt early ( Teenager) on that creative work could be a space full of freedom – flexible, open, alive.
And I’ve always admired creative people – their thinking is subtle, alert, and forward-looking and I knew this is a path I could go.

But when I started with art and photography, I never thought: “I’m going to be a professional artist.” That idea felt far away. It came gradually, step by step and without a big plan. At the time i did my education, I thought sometimes it was just a stopover.

After completing my 2.5-year training as a photographer after school , I received a “bigger” job request for a photoshoot– and I realized: maybe this could actually work as a way to make a living.
So I told myself: If they book me, I’ll take the leap.

And they did.

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I came to photography more as an aside – out of interest, but also a bit out of convenience. A friend’s father gave me the idea of doing an apprenticeship. At the time, I thought it was just a stopover. After training as a photographer in southern Germany, I didn’t have much of a plan – but when the first job inquiry came in, I realized that there was a way. I said to myself: if they book me, I’ll start my own business. And that’s how it came about.

And they did.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am Delia Baum, a photographer based in Berlin. My photography is an emotional and authentic mirror of todays life.
My work focuses on authentic characters as well as intimate photography and also make people sometimes smile..

I work for magazines and with musicians, photograph campaigns for brands but also exhibit my own work. So I don’t specialize in one thing, but I often focus on one thing: I want to show people as they really are – not as you might expect them to be and I like to bring my ideas alive.

What characterizes my work is – I believe – a special sensitivity for people and everything around them, such as nature and simply life. And my playful art shows intimacy as well as distance, fragility as well as strength.
Since I do a lot with skin or naked people, it is also particularly important that the talents feel comfortable.

What I’m most proud of is being able to make people feel something – sometimes even happiness – through just one photograph. And maybe seeing what others tend to overlook.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

There’s a unique kind of satisfaction in watching an idea take shape – in creating something that didn’t exist before, simply because you brought it into being. And while flexibility and responsiveness are part of the job, they also allow for constant growth, learning, and movement.

Another thing I truly value is the opportunity to travel – to see new places, meet inspiring people, and stay curious. I get to shape my life (as much as possible) on my own terms and choose who I want to work with – and who I don’t.

And honestly, I really appreciate the little things too: being able to listen to music while I work, and often collaborating with friends. That’s something I never take for granted.

Of course, creative work also comes with its shadows – moments of doubt, disorientation, and uncertainty. But they’re part of the process, and maybe even necessary for staying real.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

People consume art and design all day long:
in their homes, the furniture, their clothes, the bicycles they ride, the music they listen to and much, much more.

Nevertheless, there is often a lack of understanding and too little appreciation. Many people romanticize creative professions – at the same time, they are often considered “not systemically relevant”.

Artists need fair pay, social security and pension provision – just like all other workers. Art must be allowed to have an impact on everyday life. This means opening up spaces, paying fees, enabling diversity – and not just supporting the already privileged.

It is still important that creativity is not treated as a ‘minor subject’ in schools. Artistic thinking is not a luxury, but part of problem-solving, empathy and future competence.

Studios, off-spaces, etc. Much of this is threatened in large cities by gentrification, rents or restrictive policies. But the scene needs these spaces.

Art must be allowed to have an impact on everyday life. This means opening up spaces, paying fees, enabling diversity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.deliabaum.com
• Instagram: delibaum
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delia-baum-38a82185/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/user46611966