BIO
Cherie Birkner is a Berlin-based photographer whose work explores themes of intimacy, identity, and human connection. With roots in a counterculture commune in southern Oregon and a lifelong immersion in the fashion world—from modeling at 13 to art directing in e-commerce—she brings a distinctive aesthetic sensibility to her storytelling. Her transition from creative director to freelance photographer was sparked by a desire to align actions with values, leading to the founding of SUSTAINABLE FASHION MATTERZ (2017) and the Creative Matterz Fund (2021). Cherie’s imagery has been exhibited internationally and featured in major festivals including EMOP and ASVOFF. In 2021, she directed her first short film, earning silver awards for both direction and sustainability. Fluent in German and English, she considers herself a global citizen, creating emotionally resonant work that crosses borders and disciplines.
CURRENT PROJECTS
BETWEEN US - Ongoing series about secrets
HOLDING HANDS WITH YOU - Ongoing Project
#WARDROBEINVENTORY full photographic documentation of each item of clothing I own. Supported by Pandemic Healing Arts.
Self Portrait May 2025
CLIENTS INCLUDE
Adobe | A-Gain Guide | AOK-on Magazine | Bertelsmann | Carbon Mobile | CircleBack | Cornelsen | Deutsche Kinemathek | DONE! | Dopper | Erika Lust | Eventbrite | Factory Berlin | FAIRKNALLT | Fantium | Fashion Revolution | Gin Mare | flutter | Hessnatur | Jack Daniels | Kleiderei | Le Wagon | Loveco | Lovers of Lakes | MDH Berin | Mermaid Studios | Ministry of Cultures | Monopol-Magazin | Natascha von Hirschhausen | NEONYT | N26 | RE-NT Revolution | Round Rivers | Silfir | Sparkasse | Spotify | Tagesspiegel | Tech GDPR | TLGG | Trennt Magazine | White Label Project | Wildling | Woodford Reserve
PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE
Enorm Magazine | flutter | J'N'C | KALTBLUT Magazine | L’OFFICIEL | Monopol-Magazin | Not Another Woman Magazine | Trennt Magazine | VOGUE
AWARDS
Fashion Film Festival Chicago 2021 Silver Winner as Director in the categories Narrative and Eco Sustainable for #WATERMATTERZ.
SPEAKER
SEEK EXHIBITIONS 2024 - Poetry reading on “Tough love - my complicated relationship with sustainable fashion”
BERLIN PHOTO WEEK 2022 - Durch Fotografie Nachhaltigkeit fördern (30 min)
BERLIN PHOTO WEEK 2022 - Wie aus dem Traum vom nachhaltigem Kundenstamm Realität wurde (45 min)
FASHION REVOLUTION UGANDA - Rethinking Fashion: A Circular Economy (Panelist)
NEONYT 2020 - Masterclass: 5 Steps to grow your social media community.
#FRAUENMACHT - Selbstfindung in der Selbstständigkeit (20 min)
SLOW FASHION WORLD - Sustainable Fashion at Creative & Conscious talks (40 min)
RE:PUBLICA - Fashion Tech & Sustainability (Panelist)
NEONYT PrePeek x Collaborary - Sustainability in the Fashion Industry - (Panelist)
WATER x FASHION - The Future – Alternative fibres and circularity concepts (Panel Moderation)
EXHIBITIONS
22. - 25.05.2025 - BAAM
04.03.2025 - 27.01.2026 Die Lebende Stadt at Deutsches Technikmuseum @ EMOP 2025
21. - 29.03.2025 Cadavre Exquise @ EMOP 2025
16. - 23.03.2025 - Invisible Lines @ EMOP 2025 at Alte Münze
25.04 - 05.05.2024 RED RIDER at Levels Gallery
8.03.2024 “The Bodies, the Landscapes.‘‘ at DNA, currrated by Marc Haeffner Framis
19-21.01.2024 - CADAVRE EXQUISE
17 - 25 March 2023 - LOOK AT ME NOW @ EMOP 2023 by Female Photoclub Berlin
10 - 13 November 2022 Paris - ASVOFF A Shaded Viewon Fashion Film16 - 18 July 2021 Cadavre Exquise exhibition at Kustquatier Bethanien
4 - 14 Dec. 2020 DIARIES Loosenart Intermational Group Exhibition
15 Nov. 2020 🇺🇸 how are you? by @herspective_photographers
13 Aug. - 12 Sep. 2020 WIDERKUNST III
July 2020 K O R R I D O R I A L E
May 2020 - May 2021 INTER/INTRA HUMAN
Jan. 2020 Art Implosion - Interactive installation and reading from ‘Holding Hands With You’
Dec. 2019 Fashion x Food Leftovers exhibited in Athens at The Fashion Room Service
Nov. 2018 - Jan. 2019 UNFASHIONED Group exhibition at Studio 183
INTERVIEWS
Adobe Live
NOIZ
Enorm
J'N'C
Style in Progress
Electrified
Not Another Woman Magazine
Deutschlandfunk Nova
