Rock giants, Hollywood stars — but also everyday heroes: they all stood in front of the lens of Swiss star photographer Marco Grob. In the Backline Blog, he looks back on his remarkable journey: from his formative beginnings at the Baloise Session to the moments when, as one of the world’s most sought-after photographers, he documented history in the making.
The conversation makes clear why Grob works just as effortlessly with global celebrities as with music legends: he doesn’t simply want to take photographs — he wants to reveal character. The early calendar shoots for what was then known as the AVO Session, the fast-paced nature of shooting on film, and the unique closeness behind the scenes all played a defining role in shaping his style.
Particularly fascinating are his memories of legendary encounters: Joe Cocker, who became a lasting memory for him; Jimmy Page, who suddenly started playing air guitar in front of his camera; the images that opened doors for him in the international media world — and the moment when 20 missed calls pulled him away from dinner in Basel and sent him straight back to the United States for his first shoot with Hillary Clinton.
At the same time, Grob speaks openly about responsibility, mutual respect, and why he has built lasting friendships through the Baloise Session — a place that, for him, remains “full of brilliance” to this day.