Biography

The studio work of Michel Zumbrunn has been published in many of the world’s exclusive car magazines, for instance “Automobiles Classiques” (Paris) in over 130 editions, “Auto Focus” (Stuttgart), “Ruote Classique” (Milano), “Car Graphic” (Tokyo), “Automobile Quarterly” (USA) and “Octane Magazine” (London).

His approach to photography has not always been as puristic as it is today. He originally wanted to study architecture and then turned his hobby into the profession of photographer. After an apprenticeship with a fashion photographer he travelled through South America for one year. Upon his return in 1961 he set up his first studio in Zurich. He worked as a commercial photographer and also did editorial fashion for Swiss woman’s magazines.

Michel Zumbrunn’s breakthrough in car photography took place in 1982. Cigarette manufacturer “Rothaendle” organized a major show of classic automobiles in Cologne and Dusseldorf. Michel Zumbrunn was commissioned to do the photographs for the catalogues. He had to create an new style of car photography for this event.


The second major step in his career occurred when the editors of the famous French magazine Automobiles Classiques contacted him in 1983. Over the years Zumbrunn has developped a passion for classic automobiles, he knows the stories of last century’s major cars, is familiar with the details of their construction and design and he is convinced that classic cars are works of art and part of our culture.