As an artist and photographer, I have a unique story to tell. Born in the 90s, I was raised in Germany, 6000 km away from my birthplace, and I honed my skills as a photographer in the underground music scene of Nuremberg. My early years as a behind-the-scenes photographer gave me a distinctive voice and style that would soon make me a sought-after photographer.
In 2004, I was booked for several band shoots and started working on my own artistic projects, using postcard-sized photographs to express my creativity. Over the years, I evolved my craft, eventually making my mark in the wedding and event photography scene. But my true passion was always something different, something that was not mainstream but iconic and provocative. I channeled my time and energy into developing this new style of photography and was soon showcasing my work in limited books and exhibitions throughout Germany.
In 2008, I opened my first small studio, which I based in my own home. By 2012, I had opened a larger studio, “Ella Don The Studio,” and was making a name for myself as a photographer, working with some of the biggest brands and runway shows in the industry. I even taught others my skills through my own portrait photography school. My work was diverse, covering everything from jeans and handcraft industries to high-end advertising campaigns.
By 2015, I had founded the “ELLA DON ARTFACTORY,” where I continued to work with artists from a range of backgrounds, including the ink and fashion scenes. That same year, I was hired by Sky Sports to go on tour and photograph some of Germany’s top soccer players, including Steve Wozniak, Joss Stone, and Thomas Müller. This experience allowed me to expand my horizons and better understand the global fashion industry.
Fast forward to 2019, and I had become a creative director for companies and esports teams, as well as the 1337camp esports bootcamp in Stuttgart. I have also worked as a motivation coach for artists and have been an art assistant for Frank Flügel since the end of 2022. And in the beginning of 2022, I started my journey as an NFT artist, with my first drops just around the corner.
My journey has been a wild ride, filled with ups and downs and an unyielding passion for my craft. And I want to share this story with the world, to empower others and to show that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. My artpieces are not just a reflection of my journey but also a mirror for those who find themselves within them, giving them the courage and confidence to pursue their own passions and dreams. So join me on this journey, as I share my authentic and crazy story, and let’s create something beautiful together.
INGA MERLING
Hi, my name is Inga Merling and I am a digital artist, writer, and stylist who is absolutely addicted to fashion. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been in love with art and music. But my true passion lies in the world of fashion. I remember when I was just three years old, I drew a sketch of my father on a little piece of thin paper. As I grew older, my father gave me the program Photoshop and Corel Draw so that I could create my own art. At the age of 12, I stole my father’s analog camera so that I could take some fashion pictures of my girl friends. Unfortunately, I forgot to change the film and my father found out. He took the camera back, but that didn’t stop me. I was determined to do something big with fashion. I bought my own camera and made my own clothing. I spent hours designing the perfect dress by stitching fabrics with a needle on a stitching doll model. In 2006, I became a street style photographer and started my own style blog that lasted for several years. I was so crazy about fashion that I even met a haute couture fashion designer named Mila Cardi who made clothes out of my design sketches. We worked together for years, creating photography from Mila Cardi‘s finished pieces. Mila Cardi was not only a great friend and collaborator, but also an incredibly talented haute couture designer. Her attention to detail and unique vision brought my sketches to life in ways that exceeded my expectations. It was a true pleasure to work with her and learn from her throughout our years of collaboration. Her passion for fashion and dedication to her craft was truly inspiring, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such an amazing artist. It was a great time between 2012 and 2017. I always challenged myself to new art experiments, creating my own designer scarf and opening my first own second-hand shop called THE GEANG in my atelier. I also dabbled in upcycling fashion and created unique art pieces out of fashion. Then in 2017, I met a fashion enthusiast named René he was a programmer and digital Programm designer for websites and games who shared his love for McQueen and fine fashion with me. We went to New York in 2018 and I even got to meet Richie Rich, the 90s fashion icon who made Paris Hilton famous in the party scene. It was a crazy trip, but unfortunately, it all took a toll on me. I fell into a deep depression and everything started to spiral out of control. Unfortunately, my depression took quite a toll on me and ended up lasting for five long years. During that time, I had to distance myself from the fashion world and focus on my mental health. It was a difficult time, but I knew I had to prioritize my well-being. Eventually, I was able to overcome my depression and return to my passion for art and fashion. Although the journey was challenging, I learned so much about myself and grew stronger as a result. I eventually had to separate myself from the fashion scene and tried to find solace in the gaming scene. It was there that I found inspiration to make more digital art. But my love for fashion never faded, and I will always remember the amazing times I had creating and collaborating with others in the industry. In the end, my passion for art and fashion will always be a part of who I am.