Two years of preparation, one day of filming, over 100 images: The Compadre Project
July 22nd, 2026
What Compadre is
And why a premium product requires a different approach to content production
Some projects require the right moment. Axel Puhlmann from Compadre Grill & Ofen first approached me two years ago - and this year, we finally brought our shared vision to life.
Compadre manufactures grills made from sleek, grey architectural concrete. With a starting price of 6,000 euros, it is clear: this is not a mass-market hardware store product. While it looks flawless and minimalist on the website, a premium product like this only reveals its true impact when seen "in use" - when it becomes real and tangible. This means the target audience is clearly defined, yet not easily reached. Someone spending that much on a unit isn't just buying a product; they are buying a feeling, a mindset, and a reflection of their own standards.
It was clear from the start: mere product features wouldn't suffice. The project needed emotion and a human touch. Combining the grill’s inherently sophisticated aesthetic with an approachable, emotional dimension.
Design catches the eye, but the human element speaks to our emotions.
Efficient content production: three locations, three use cases, one shoot day.
We carried out the production in Ulm: one day, three different locations, and 15 participants. The concept was simple yet effective: showing the product in various contexts naturally adds visual depth and avoids that look where everything appears uniform.
To build trust, we featured real testimonials - people who already use the product and have an opinion on it.
Participants included Benedikt Wittek and Klaus Buderath, the Michelin-starred chef duo from the gourmet restaurant Seestern in Ulm, as well as Marian Schneider, a hotelier and restaurateur from gastroevents & Hotel Lago.
The result: over 100 photos, 8 videos, and 6 ads from a single day of shooting.
Thanks to precise planning and a team of professionals, we were able to achieve impressive results in a single day of shooting:
- Over 100 photos
- 8 video assets
- An additional 6 ads for social media channels
- Three locations, 15 talents, one shoot day in Ulm
The footage captures Michelin-starred chefs at the grill, the flames, the heat, and genuine, unscripted enthusiasm.
This doesn't happen through improvisation, but through planning. When you know exactly what you need beforehand and have a professional team in place, you can get a tremendous amount done in a short time. That’s exactly how it went that day. On every front.
That is precisely how I work - whether in photography or on corporate films.
"He doesn't just deliver beautiful images; he immediately grasps the strategy behind the content. On set, he is an absolute professional with a crystal-clear plan."
— Axel Puhlmann, Compadre Grill & Ofen
Why such projects are special
What always surprises me about a one-day shoot like this is just how intense and personal it becomes. You spend many hours with a small group of people, all focused on the same goal. That creates a real bond - provided the chemistry is right.
The chemistry with Axel is spot on. We share a similar approach, high standards, and attitude toward the work. That’s why our collaboration extends beyond just that single day of filming. We stay in touch, support one another, and grow together. That’s exactly how it should be.
Conclusion: Why the two-year wait was worth it
Two years from the first email to production sounds like a long time. But sometimes, the moment just isn't right yet. When that moment finally arrives and everything clicks - the product, the people, the energy - you realize why the wait was worth it. The Compadre project was exactly that kind of moment.
I look forward to what’s next.
Are you planning a content shoot for a product that needs more than just a studio photo?
Then let’s talk! We can explore what we can achieve for you in a single shoot day.