Kasseler photographs people on the street – his videos are an internet hit

Created: 01/04/2023 12:53 p.m

By: Eric Sharp

Shooting on the street: Alexander Nold chooses his photo models spontaneously.

Marie Smietana and Jona Liehr also let him photograph them unprepared.

© Adriana Strehl

Alexander Nold simply photographs people on the street in Kassel.

His videos get a lot of clicks on the Tiktok internet platform.

Kassel – Despite the many green spaces, the Hercules and the documenta, some still doubt Kassel's beauty.

Alexander Nold wants to change that by photographing people on the street.

Equipped with a photo camera and action camcorder, the street-style photographer spontaneously asks passers-by for permission to take a photo while continuously filming.

He uploads the recordings to the Chinese video portal Tiktok, two of his videos have already reached more than two million views, reports hna.de.

"I want to show that Kassel isn't as ugly as many people think," said the native of Kassel, who grew up in Schauenburg and Baunatal and now lives in Oberzwehren.

"Cool and beautiful people live here." However, he doesn't have a specific idea for his photo models during his shoots, he makes the decision based on gut feeling.

But he always keeps his eyes open for people who radiate something special.

"Everyone is beautiful in their own way, no matter what kind of person," is his conviction.

Kassel: For Alexander Nold, photography is both a hobby and a job

Even when he's not out and about on the streets of Kassel, the 25-year-old always has a camera in his hand.

For him, photography is both a hobby and a job. He takes photos at weddings and for companies, and does portrait and erotic shoots.

The young man only started doing street photography in November, but his channel is already enjoying great popularity.

"I'm starting on a new platform with a new idea" was his thought when creating his Tiktok profile "alexander_nold", which is now so successful that he can earn something from the posts.

A video in which he addresses a Kassel city police officer and persuades him to take a photo has gained notoriety.

He noticed him because of his relaxed manner and his good looks.

His current 60,000 followers, who by no means hold back their flattery for the police officer in the comments, feel the same way.

The clip has 2.8 million views.

Both the person being photographed and the photographer are now known in Kassel.

Alexander Nold is often recognized in the city center.

© Strehl, Adriana

The hobby tiktoker can no longer go out without being recognized – even though his face can never be seen in the videos.

"Sometimes I'd like to walk around with a 360-degree camera to show who's pointing the finger at me in town," jokes Nold, amused.

When two young people approached him excitedly in the pedestrian zone and asked for a selfie, he was delighted and immediately pulled out his smartphone.

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Street photographer from Kassel: "I don't feel like a star"

"I don't feel like a star, I just want to get my message out there," says the 25-year-old.

His concern is to make the people of Kassel more open and to encourage them not to pursue prejudices.

“You look at the optics of a person and immediately have a certain image.

But when you talk to them, they are completely different," says the man from Kassel.

"For example, I was always told that I seemed arrogant," says the 25-year-old, who is striking because of his well-groomed appearance, but with his easy-going and honest manner he comes across as more self-confident than arrogant.

It is probably also due to the authenticity that he exudes that the majority of people approached on the street now feel comfortable enough to let him record them.

“Kasselers are usually not that easy to stop,” says Nold.

“I noticed that myself recently when my car broke down on the road.

Nobody stopped to help me," he recalls.

If you ask him where he gets the courage for his project, he has an answer ready right away.

"Very simple, just do it.

That has always been my motto.

Whatever is in me

Nold has also photographed celebrities such as German rapper Moe Phoenix.

© Alexander Nold/NH

comes to mind, I'll implement it," says Nold with conviction.

Alexander Nold firmly rejects allegations that he would stage his videos.

“Spontaneity is the most important thing for me.

Besides, I'm the worst actor," he says with a laugh.

"In the videos you can also see that I'm nervous and make mistakes when I speak," the 25-year-old admits self-deprecatingly.

City policeman from Kassel becomes famous through video on Tiktok

In addition to the city police officer who has become famous, there is also the German rapper Moe Phoenix, who lives in Kassel, a Zalando model, a dentist, the flying Santa Claus Fernando Traber and "Kassel's most famous man", a drumming street musician who plays music with kitchen utensils at various places in the city makes, to his spontaneous photo models.

Next, he wants to depict a lawyer or judge, as well as a paramedic or nurse.

"I would like to use this to advertise jobs that nobody really notices anymore." (Adriana Strehl)