L’Hommage — a private, bespoke experience that turns your lifelong dream into lived truth — preserved as a one-of-one personal beautiful coffee table book.
Thomas Kettner
There are wishes we grant ourselves with ease—and then there is the one we keep postponing. The ultimate dream, the number one on your personal bucket list. This is where L’Hommage begins: we create the space to make that dream real.
Whether it’s stepping into a unique story as a model, or a journey of encounters far beyond any guidebook, or an experience that touches both heart and soul—L’Hommage puts you at the center. This experience belongs exclusively to you. Not for an audience, not for the public—only for you, and perhaps for your loved one.
The lasting memento of this experience is an exclusive coffee table book: printed on the finest paper, a one-of-a-kind original. A manifesto—a bow to yourself.
A long-held dream finds form—quietly and confidently. Doubt becomes clarity, hesitation becomes guided choice. Time limits, privacy, uncertainty—all respected. No audience, no pressure. A protected space where vision turns real, gently and boldly.
A calm, private experience where your vision becomes real. You’re gently guided, never rushed. Moments are shaped for authenticity—some directed, some observed. We hold space, protect privacy, manage everything. No performance, only truth—felt, seen, and lasting.
A meticulously crafted, one-of-a-kind book—museum-grade in quality, personally guided in every detail. Materials, layout, and pacing reflect your taste. Unused footage is erased. What remains is not just art, but legacy—intimate, enduring, undeniably yours.
PRIVATE. TAILORED. ENDURING.
From the very first contact, we guide you calmly and clearly through the process. In a non-binding conversation, we define your goal, your wish, and the framework—timing, privacy, and an initial budget range—and summarise the next steps for you. A subsequent vision session sharpens the picture: role, story, locations, aesthetics, comfort zones, and do’s & don’ts.
We then create a tailored concept with a proposed flow, team size, potential locations or travel routes, and a transparent quote. Once you approve, we take care of everything: scouting, permits, styling options, travel arrangements, and equipment. You receive a concise plan; your own effort remains minimal.
On the production day(s), we work with a small, discreet team. The process is precisely guided yet effortless: gently staged sequences alternate with quietly observed moments, breaks are a given, and the pace follows your comfort. There is no public audience.
Afterwards, we review and curate the imagery. We present an initial selection, and we make the final choices together. The edit is precise, the retouching subtle—with clear approvals at each decisive stage.
For the coffee-table book, we design a timeless layout, define the narrative arc, and select materials with you—paper, binding, and finishes. It is produced in museum quality as a numbered one-of-a-kind. Delivery takes place in person. If desired, you also receive the final digital images. Any unused material is securely deleted—confidentiality is absolute. An N.D.A. (non-disclosure agreement) applies, of course.
ABOUT THOMAS
Thomas Kettner — Creative Photographer, Film Director & Publisher
For over four decades, Thomas Kettner has turned dreams into images, stories, and legacies.
With L’Hommage, he offers more than artistry—he offers a philosophy: never give up on your dream.
Thomas Kettner — The Dream Enabler. A storyteller of life, not just of images.
Renowned photographer, creative director, film director, and publisher, Thomas is the visionary behind L’Hommage. Internationally recognized and honored with major awards (including the German Design Award), he is more than a visual artist—he is an enabler of life dreams. His credo is simple and profound: help people step beyond the familiar into the extraordinary.
Born in Germany in 1960 and raised in Johannesburg/Southafrica, Thomas has spent 40 years creating for fashion, advertising, and fine art. Clients value his mastery and his relentless pursuit of authenticity. He seeks what cannot be staged—images that emerge through time, trust, and courage.
Working with a dynamic, talented team, Thomas fuses experience with innovation. Together they embrace new technologies and bold ideas across photography, film, and bespoke book publishing. With empathy and a human approach, they accompany each client with care—whether on a windswept desert journey or within a meticulously designed production.
Thomas is engaged in social initiatives and conservation, including support for cheetah preservation in South Africa (CCF). His works are regularly sold at auction, and as publisher of NL MAGAZINE, he nurtures young artists. For twelve years, he served on the board of one of Europe’s leading photographer and filmmaker associations.
His career is distinguished by numerous international honors—from the German Photobook Prize to Red Dot and the London International Awards. Multiple listings in Lürzer’s Archive: 200 Best affirm his standing among leading visual storytellers.
Thomas has created for some of the world’s most prestigious names—from Mercedes-Benz to Givenchy, Paloma Picasso / Gübelin, Davidoff, Villeroy & Boch, and many more. Each collaboration unites artistry with vision—work that is as timeless as it is bold.
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” — Walt Disney
Based in Hamburg, Thomas and his team bring this spirit to every project, every adventure, every dream. With L’Hommage, they offer not just a service, but an homage to your imagination—and your legacy.
FAQ
Contact us
Thomas Kettner
Hartwicusstraße 3
20251 Hamburg
+49 170 277 47 25
