This story originally appeared on the Gents Cafe Newsletter. You can subscribe here.
Meet Maximilian Heinrich (@analog_insights) a Senior Digital Communications Consultant living in Munich, Germany.
What are your main passions and how do you cultivate them?
My main passion is film photography and I started a YouTube channel called Analog Insights almost nine years ago. Since then, it has become an important past-time to produce high-quality videos and stories for this channel. I enjoy exploring new places with a film camera in my hand and training my eye for details, intriguing compositions and unique moments.
How did you first develop an appreciation for style?
I believe both my mom and dad were always pretty stylish in the 1980s and 90s. My godfather with his BMW convertible and fancy city apartment with Bang & Olufsen sound system and effortless style probably also made quite an impression on me early on. So I always had an appreciation for classic style and menswear but this got boosted when meeting my partner who is a fashion & luxury lifestyle influencer and puts a really critical eye on fashion. I simply had to up my game and never looked back.
What does “being well-dressed” mean to you?
This depends on the occasion. For me, being well-dressed means acknowledging the occasion and putting thought into how you dress. This can mean taking a dress code on an invitation seriously or anticipating what your host would appreciate and where it overlaps with your own style. I also believe in accessories like glasses, watches and belts in menswear – they can often be an important final touch.
What’s a small habit that has made a big difference in your life?
Developing a morning routine and refining it over time. I get up at around 5am to meditate, then listen to the news while clearing the dish washer and brewing a cup of coffee. I then do about seven minutes of exercise using an app called Seven and afterwards sit down to work on my YouTube channel (editing, writing, researching or answering emails) while drinking my first cup of coffee. Only at around 6am or 6.30am do I jump into the shower and get fully dressed. This small routine has a major impact as it clears my mind, activates my body, keeps me up to date and gives me room to focus on my personal passion before diving into a busy work day.
As a teenager, I learned that the author John Grisham started his career as a bestselling novelist by always writing in the morning before work. I always found that fascinating and strongly believe that the early morning can be a special time to get things done – if you are a morning person. Probably the same applies for nights if you are a night owl.
Do you collect anything? If so, how did that passion start?
I collect vintage film cameras, a passion that only started at the age of 30. I was always into music and tried out different instruments to create specific sounds. When photography became a passion in my life, I applied the same explorative spirit to film cameras and wanted to learn how the choice of gear will and can impact the creative output. Over time, this turned into a passion for gear (vintage cameras, lenses, filters, even cases), its historical context and better understanding the impact of technological developments on the art form of photography.
Is there an object or piece of craftsmanship in your life that holds deep meaning? What makes it special?
There are a few Leica cameras in my life that have special meaning to me. My Leica M6 because it was a gift to myself for my 30th birthday, my Leica IIIf because I inherited it from my uncle (and needed a proper restoration) and my Leica II because it was a very deliberate choice after a long time of research. I am aware that this is a clichée answer for a camera collector just like pointing to several Rolex watches would be for a watch collector. But: If you think of Rolex, it is loved and appreciated by those getting started with watches but also those who are really deep into that passion. The latter often have a deep understanding and appreciation of the brand and its achievements. In between, there are many who only perceive it as an unnecessary flex and roll their eyes when you mention the brand. In a similar fashion, Leica can be a brand that is merely associated with “flexing” and buying an unnecessarily expensive camera or it can be perceived as so much more: a brand with a rich history, appreciation for craftsmanship, timeless design and incredibly high quality. I have many other cameras to choose from, but those three are particularly dear to my heart.
Can you describe an art form you create and what inspires you to pursue it?
I really enjoy shooting portraits, especially on film. I feel like there is a special connection created between the photographer and the subject when taking a portrait. Capturing this moment on film has something magical for me. You literally capture a brief slice of time that describes the relationship you had with the person in front of the camera at that very moment. Maybe you made them laugh, maybe you just made them reflect on something, maybe they are even distracted or annoyed, maybe their aspirations shine through. Capturing these nuances on film is very special to me.
What podcast are you currently listening to, and what do you enjoy about it?
I enjoy listening to Acquired. These are in-depth well-researched analyses of a business/brand that can span between 2-5 hours. They typically give you a good understanding of what makes a company successful and all the factors that contributed to it. I enjoy the combination of a classic finance perspective combined with cultural perception, societal impact and biographical elements of founders.
What are your three favorite books?
This is a difficult one since I have studied American Literary history (among other things). Against the Day by Thomas Pynchon, Wind-up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami and Any Human Heart by William Boyd are pretty high up there.
What are your three favorite movies?
Another difficult one. Probably A Single Man (2009) by Tom Ford, No Country for Old Men (2007) by the Coen Brothers and Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) by Jim Jarmusch.
