Munich / Hamburg, December 18, 2025: From January 2026, Hamburg-based image agency plainpicture will join the agency portfolio of Image Professionals while continuing to operate as an independent brand. Its reputation as a pioneer in extraordinary, conceptual photography will be further reinforced.
Since its founding in Hamburg in 2001, plainpicture has been recognised worldwide as a pioneer of conceptual photography. From the outset, the agency has pursued a distinctive mission: to craft authentic, expressive image worlds that break away from the conventions of classical stock agencies.
The strictly curated, predominantly exclusive portfolio comprises around 1.5 million atmospheric images. The focus is on global trend topics as well as life-oriented concepts, but in an extraordinary, style-defining visual language. Behind plainpicture are around 1,000 professional photographers from all continents, whose work is frequently featured on book covers, in magazines, ad campaigns, and editorials.
Under the new management plainpicture’s experienced sales team will remain available to both German and international clients. By integrating plainpicture, Image Professionals is broadening its portfolio in creative, contemporary photography. The Munich-based agency group already unites a range of specialised image providers and offers comprehensive services for professional image users under one roof.
Valentin Alscher, one of plainpicture's founders, will actively accompany the transition phase:
"plainpicture remains plainpicture: Our editorial signature, our talent, and our commitment to high-quality and unusual images remain unchanged. By joining forces with Image Professionals, we can further expand our reach and our service for photographers and customers."
Martin Skultety, Managing Director of Image Professionals, sees plainpicture's integration as a signal of change for the industry:
"With plainpicture, we gain another strong, renowned brand that we will advance with our proven growth strategy. We look forward to working together with plainpicture's photographers to unlock new potential and further expand the agency, particularly in the international market."
The plainpicture portfolio will remain permanently accessible at plainpicture.com. Customers will be able to obtain plainpicture images exclusively through Image Professionals from January 2026. Existing agreements, pricing structures, and access credentials will continue unchanged, and from 2026 will be complemented by attractive new licensing offers.
About Image Professionals:
Image Professionals (www.imageprofessionals.com) is the leading provider of specialist photo agencies within the international image market. The Munich-based company originally emerged from the StockFood picture agency, the only global brand for professional food photography.
Image Professionals' agencies are among the premier suppliers in their respective market sectors (food, interior, beauty, garden, health, science). The concept of licensing specialised images via dedicated brand platforms, supported by a talented team of experts, has made Image Professionals one of the most successful image agencies on the international stage. They are represented in 55countries and work with tens of thousands of professional image users. Image Professionals has a team of 60 people and has been part of Hubert Burda Media since 2016.
About plainpicture:
plainpicture (www.plainpicture.com/en) was founded in 2001 and established itself as a creative, curated source for modern stock and commercial photography. The agency offers exclusive and inspiring visual worlds as well as various licensing models and maintains a strong presence in the international creative scene. plainpicture is particularly known for its editorial collection and its collaboration with independent photographers. In addition to classic rights-managed and royalty-free licenses, plainpicture offers customised usage rights and personal consulting services for agencies, brands, and publishers.
In connection with reporting on Image Professionals, we provide image material of your choice free of charge upon request. Just give us a call!
Your contact for further information:
Image Professionals GmbH
Jan Spichala
Director Global Sales
+49 (0)89 747 202 23
jan.spichala@imageprofessionals.com
Tumblingerstr. 32
80337 Munich
Germany
www.imageprofessionals.com