Born in the Black Forest, Germany, Karsten studied graphic design before moving to New York City in 1995 to pursue painting—only to discover photography, which has since become his life’s work.

His career began at the dawn of the digital revolution, where he transitioned from advertising and jewelry photography to his true passion: people, landscapes, and story. Over the decades, Karsten has collaborated with musicians, artists, and actors—touring with Foreigner and capturing both the intimate and high-energy moments that define life on the road. He has also spent more than a decade working alongside Robert Redford and Sibylle Szaggars Redford, documenting their creative and environmental endeavors through photography and film.

Karsten’s work is defined by technical precision and a storyteller’s sensitivity—revealing the presence, depth, and emotion that make each subject unforgettable.

Currently, he is focused on www.newyorkstory.com, a deeply personal project more than two decades in the making. Through portraits and conversations, he explores what New York means to a diverse range of individuals—from everyday New Yorkers to cultural icons. A glimpse of this work can be seen in the trailer: vimeo.com/1055775195.