Steve Marais
Steve Marais
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Marais is a multi-award-winning visual consultant and artist working in photography, with a focus on diversity and cultural projects, based in Berlin but always ready to pack his yellow camera case and travel to any continent. A fan of digital photography and so-called "shit-cams," there’s no reliance on AI or even Photoshop. Also a writer, creator of the iconic @heavyferal zine, wanderer, experimental filmmaker, blogger, self-taught editorial/web designer, thrill-seeker and adventure finder. 

 

All
Case Studies
Personal
Fashion
Editorial
Campaign
Portraiture
NSFW
Video
Sport
Documentary
Heavy Feral
Case Study: UGG's Steve Marais
Case Study: UGG’s “Feel Seen Feel Heard” Pride Campaign
Dominic West: Jameson Irish Whiskey / Commercial portrait of British actor Dominic West for a Jameson Irish Whiskey campaign, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Dominic West: Jameson Irish Whiskey
Case Study: The 'Rainbow Wool' Photography Campaign / Case study of the award-winning 'Rainbow Wool' campaign for Schäferei Stücke, making a statement on LGBTQ+ rights, with lead photography by Steve Marais. To bring the story to a wider audience, the campaign partnered with Bill Kaulitz, a German-born musician, fashion icon, and prominent member of the LGBTQ+ community. Sheep can be gay Steve Marais
Case Study: The ‘Rainbow Wool’ Photography Campaign with Bill Kaulitz
Pedro e Flavio / A personal documentary portrait series by Steve Marais capturing the authentic and intimate bond between subjects tho older gay men Pedro and Flavio. Steve Marais
Pedro e Flavio / A personal documentary portrait series
Case Study: Capturing 'Constellations' for Feeld /. Dating app, Case study on the launch campaign for Feeld's 'Constellations' feature for non-monogamous relationships, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Case Study: Capturing ‘Constellations’ for Feeld
Lampoon #28 / An editorial titled 'Hemp Stories' for Lampoon Magazine, exploring themes of human connection and sustainability, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Hemp Stories: Lampoon Magazine issue 28
Roman Does Everything: BUTT Magazine issue 32 / A documentary-style editorial for BUTT Magazine issue 32 featuring Roman, exploring versatility and queer identity, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Roman Does Everything: BUTT Magazine issue 32
Body Love / An editorial fashion series from Cape Town celebrating body positivity and the beauty of diverse human forms, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Body Love
Tom all over my body (nsfw) / A fashion campaign celebrating diverse masculinity and touch for Julian Zigerli and the Tom of Finland Foundation, photographed by Steve Marais. Shown at Art Basel 2025 Steve Marais
Tom all over my body (nsfw)
Case Study: Feral Magazine, Issue 1. Case study for the debut issue of Feral Magazine, a publication exploring queer intimacy, with Steve Marais serving as Creative Director, Photographer, and Editor-in-Chief. Steve Marais
Case Study: Feral Magazine, Issue 1
A cultural essay in Feral Magazine analyzing the 'hole on main' online trend, written by Pedro Vasconcelos featuring Raphael Blue. Concept, art direction, photography, and design by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Hole on Main
Weronika & Olga: An Intimate Portrait / An intimate photo and video portrait by Steve Marais, documenting the deep seventeen-year bond between subjects Weronika & Olga and their 90s Berlin fashion aesthetic Steve Marais
Weronika & Olga: An Intimate Portrait
Karl & Fridli / Documenting an unlikely intergenerational friendship between Karl F. Schneider, a 94-year-old radio legend from Linthall, Switzerland, and Fridli, a farmer 40 years his junior, brought together by a wandering house cat that roams the Alps between their homes with the changing seasons. A personal documentary portrait series by Steve Marais exploring the shared life and deep, long-term connection between subjects Karl & Fridli. Steve Marais
Karl & Fridli / Documenting an unlikely intergenerational friendship
Blue on Blue Steve Marais
Blue on Blue / A personal portrait series
Patrick & Zachary / An intimate portrait series by Steve Marais for Heavy Feral, capturing the quiet, authentic connection between subjects Patrick and Zachary, documenting a queer relationship in London that exists outside conventional romantic or sexual partnerships. Steve Marais
Patrick & Zachary / An intimate portrait series
The Limit Does Not Exist / A fashion campaign for Julian Zigerli and artist Andi Fischer, featuring bold, playful prints that celebrate boundless expression, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
The Limit Does Not Exist / A fashion campaign for Julian Zigerli
Nino: Trans Joy! / A celebratory photo series by Steve Marais for Heavy Feral, capturing the authentic and powerful essence of Trans Joy in vibrant portraits of Nino. Transgender Man Nino covers his entire journey: being kicked out of his home, experiencing homelessness, working on the docks, navigating the healthcare system for his transition, and becoming an accidental social media activist. The photography is direct and honest, capturing his strength and joy without glossing over the hardships. The narrative deliberately focuses on his perspective on sex, identity, and survival. Steve Marais
Nino: Trans Joy! / A celebratory photo series
Marian Rey: Heavy Construction/ A photo and video project by Steve Marais for Heavy Feral, exploring themes of modern masculinity with subject Marian Rey through a 'Heavy Construction' concept. Marian Rey has previously appeared in gay publications but identifies as straight. Steve Marais
Marian Rey: Heavy Construction
Orel Regev: Wake up and dream again / A profile of a bisexual, nomadic tech worker who has built a personal brand around travel, fitness, and his distinctively hairy aesthetic. A dreamlike and intimate photo series by Steve Marais for Heavy Feral Steve Marais
Orel Regev: Wake up and dream again
Roman Hanák: Sausage Fest Sceptic / A raw and provocative portrait of a Czech man who is unapologetic about his sexuality and critical of Berlin's Steve Marais
Roman Hanák: Sausage Fest Sceptic
John Henry: Peekaboo / A character study of a young, queer fashion student navigating love, body image, and exhibitionism. A playful photo series by Steve Marais for Heavy Feral, exploring themes of revealing and concealing the body with John Henry through artistic nudity. covering his experiences with rehab, polyamory, and public perception. Steve Marais
John Henry: Peekaboo
Raphael / An intense and sensitive portrait series with photographer Raphael, shot overnight in a desert landscape and featuring artistic nudity, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Raphael / A sensitive portrait series
SVENTHING (nsfw) / Man with red body paint in public parks and squares in Berlin. An editorial for Feral Magazine exploring desire and discomfort with performer Sven Ironside, featuring artistic nudity. Photography and Creative Direction by Steve Marais. Shown at Art Basel 2025 Steve Marais
SVENTHING (nsfw)
Men, Together / Vol. 1 (nsfw) / An ongoing series by Steve Marais celebrating friendship, connection, and the freedom of the body in a homosexual context, featuring artistic nudity. Steve Marais
Men, Together / Vol. 1 (nsfw)
Benji / A personal and intimate black and white portrait series by Steve Marais featuring model Benji, focusing on authentic human expression. He has a passion for movement and expressive body language. Steve Marais
Benji / An intimate portrait series
Clockhouse / Commercial fashion campaign photography by Steve Marais for the Clockhouse Winter collection, showcasing youthful streetwear and winter styles. Steve Marais
Clockhouse
Frieder / An editorial for Container Love exploring free self-expression with Frieder Sell at Berlin's historic queer space Teufelssee, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Frieder
The Power of a Woman / A documentary sports portrait series by Steve Marais celebrating the strength, determination, and raw power of female athletes. Amid the challenges of life in a Greek refugee camp, a group of Afghan teenagers find strength and purpose through kickboxing, a sport forbidden to women in their homeland Steve Marais
The Power of a Woman / A documentary sports portrait series
Doing it all wrong (nsfw) / A personal portrait series by Steve Marais exploring the tension between being seen and the limits of what can be shown, featuring artistic nudity. Featuring Julian Zigerli Steve Marais
Doing it all wrong (nsfw) / A personal portrait series
Rock Paper Scissorli / A playful and energetic fashion campaign for designer Julian Zigerli's 'Rock Paper Scissorli' collection, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Rock Paper Scissorli / A playful and energetic fashion campaign for designer Julian Zigerli’s ‘Rock Paper Scissorli’ collection
The Beams of Light / A personal documentary portrait series by Steve Marais. Uzinthle Mthembu is an artist and spiritual light worker from South Africa. She reached out to me online and invited me to document her practice involving chanting, humming, and channeling energy through mirrors placed intuitively in the landscape. Steve Marais
The Beams of Light / A personal documentary portrait series
Tour Ends Here / Rico Barlow / A photo series by Steve Marais for Heavy Feral, exploring post-performance intimacy and vulnerability with subject Rico Barlow, featuring artistic nudity. Rico, a self-proclaimed Steve Marais
Tour Ends Here: Rico Barlow

Portfolio

Marais is a multi-award-winning visual consultant and artist working in photography, with a focus on diversity and cultural projects, based in Berlin but always ready to pack his yellow camera case and travel to any continent. A fan of digital photography and so-called "shit-cams," there’s no reliance on AI or even Photoshop. Also a writer, creator of the iconic @heavyferal zine, wanderer, experimental filmmaker, blogger, self-taught editorial/web designer, thrill-seeker and adventure finder. 

 

All
Case Studies
Personal
Fashion
Editorial
Campaign
Portraiture
NSFW
Video
Sport
Documentary
Heavy Feral
Case Study: UGG's Steve Marais
Case Study: UGG’s “Feel Seen Feel Heard” Pride Campaign
Dominic West: Jameson Irish Whiskey / Commercial portrait of British actor Dominic West for a Jameson Irish Whiskey campaign, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Dominic West: Jameson Irish Whiskey
Case Study: The 'Rainbow Wool' Photography Campaign / Case study of the award-winning 'Rainbow Wool' campaign for Schäferei Stücke, making a statement on LGBTQ+ rights, with lead photography by Steve Marais. To bring the story to a wider audience, the campaign partnered with Bill Kaulitz, a German-born musician, fashion icon, and prominent member of the LGBTQ+ community. Sheep can be gay Steve Marais
Case Study: The ‘Rainbow Wool’ Photography Campaign with Bill Kaulitz
Pedro e Flavio / A personal documentary portrait series by Steve Marais capturing the authentic and intimate bond between subjects tho older gay men Pedro and Flavio. Steve Marais
Pedro e Flavio / A personal documentary portrait series
Case Study: Capturing 'Constellations' for Feeld /. Dating app, Case study on the launch campaign for Feeld's 'Constellations' feature for non-monogamous relationships, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Case Study: Capturing ‘Constellations’ for Feeld
Lampoon #28 / An editorial titled 'Hemp Stories' for Lampoon Magazine, exploring themes of human connection and sustainability, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Hemp Stories: Lampoon Magazine issue 28
Roman Does Everything: BUTT Magazine issue 32 / A documentary-style editorial for BUTT Magazine issue 32 featuring Roman, exploring versatility and queer identity, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Roman Does Everything: BUTT Magazine issue 32
Body Love / An editorial fashion series from Cape Town celebrating body positivity and the beauty of diverse human forms, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Body Love
Tom all over my body (nsfw) / A fashion campaign celebrating diverse masculinity and touch for Julian Zigerli and the Tom of Finland Foundation, photographed by Steve Marais. Shown at Art Basel 2025 Steve Marais
Tom all over my body (nsfw)
Case Study: Feral Magazine, Issue 1. Case study for the debut issue of Feral Magazine, a publication exploring queer intimacy, with Steve Marais serving as Creative Director, Photographer, and Editor-in-Chief. Steve Marais
Case Study: Feral Magazine, Issue 1
A cultural essay in Feral Magazine analyzing the 'hole on main' online trend, written by Pedro Vasconcelos featuring Raphael Blue. Concept, art direction, photography, and design by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Hole on Main
Weronika & Olga: An Intimate Portrait / An intimate photo and video portrait by Steve Marais, documenting the deep seventeen-year bond between subjects Weronika & Olga and their 90s Berlin fashion aesthetic Steve Marais
Weronika & Olga: An Intimate Portrait
Karl & Fridli / Documenting an unlikely intergenerational friendship between Karl F. Schneider, a 94-year-old radio legend from Linthall, Switzerland, and Fridli, a farmer 40 years his junior, brought together by a wandering house cat that roams the Alps between their homes with the changing seasons. A personal documentary portrait series by Steve Marais exploring the shared life and deep, long-term connection between subjects Karl & Fridli. Steve Marais
Karl & Fridli / Documenting an unlikely intergenerational friendship
Blue on Blue Steve Marais
Blue on Blue / A personal portrait series
Patrick & Zachary / An intimate portrait series by Steve Marais for Heavy Feral, capturing the quiet, authentic connection between subjects Patrick and Zachary, documenting a queer relationship in London that exists outside conventional romantic or sexual partnerships. Steve Marais
Patrick & Zachary / An intimate portrait series
The Limit Does Not Exist / A fashion campaign for Julian Zigerli and artist Andi Fischer, featuring bold, playful prints that celebrate boundless expression, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
The Limit Does Not Exist / A fashion campaign for Julian Zigerli
Nino: Trans Joy! / A celebratory photo series by Steve Marais for Heavy Feral, capturing the authentic and powerful essence of Trans Joy in vibrant portraits of Nino. Transgender Man Nino covers his entire journey: being kicked out of his home, experiencing homelessness, working on the docks, navigating the healthcare system for his transition, and becoming an accidental social media activist. The photography is direct and honest, capturing his strength and joy without glossing over the hardships. The narrative deliberately focuses on his perspective on sex, identity, and survival. Steve Marais
Nino: Trans Joy! / A celebratory photo series
Marian Rey: Heavy Construction/ A photo and video project by Steve Marais for Heavy Feral, exploring themes of modern masculinity with subject Marian Rey through a 'Heavy Construction' concept. Marian Rey has previously appeared in gay publications but identifies as straight. Steve Marais
Marian Rey: Heavy Construction
Orel Regev: Wake up and dream again / A profile of a bisexual, nomadic tech worker who has built a personal brand around travel, fitness, and his distinctively hairy aesthetic. A dreamlike and intimate photo series by Steve Marais for Heavy Feral Steve Marais
Orel Regev: Wake up and dream again
Roman Hanák: Sausage Fest Sceptic / A raw and provocative portrait of a Czech man who is unapologetic about his sexuality and critical of Berlin's Steve Marais
Roman Hanák: Sausage Fest Sceptic
John Henry: Peekaboo / A character study of a young, queer fashion student navigating love, body image, and exhibitionism. A playful photo series by Steve Marais for Heavy Feral, exploring themes of revealing and concealing the body with John Henry through artistic nudity. covering his experiences with rehab, polyamory, and public perception. Steve Marais
John Henry: Peekaboo
Raphael / An intense and sensitive portrait series with photographer Raphael, shot overnight in a desert landscape and featuring artistic nudity, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Raphael / A sensitive portrait series
SVENTHING (nsfw) / Man with red body paint in public parks and squares in Berlin. An editorial for Feral Magazine exploring desire and discomfort with performer Sven Ironside, featuring artistic nudity. Photography and Creative Direction by Steve Marais. Shown at Art Basel 2025 Steve Marais
SVENTHING (nsfw)
Men, Together / Vol. 1 (nsfw) / An ongoing series by Steve Marais celebrating friendship, connection, and the freedom of the body in a homosexual context, featuring artistic nudity. Steve Marais
Men, Together / Vol. 1 (nsfw)
Benji / A personal and intimate black and white portrait series by Steve Marais featuring model Benji, focusing on authentic human expression. He has a passion for movement and expressive body language. Steve Marais
Benji / An intimate portrait series
Clockhouse / Commercial fashion campaign photography by Steve Marais for the Clockhouse Winter collection, showcasing youthful streetwear and winter styles. Steve Marais
Clockhouse
Frieder / An editorial for Container Love exploring free self-expression with Frieder Sell at Berlin's historic queer space Teufelssee, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Frieder
The Power of a Woman / A documentary sports portrait series by Steve Marais celebrating the strength, determination, and raw power of female athletes. Amid the challenges of life in a Greek refugee camp, a group of Afghan teenagers find strength and purpose through kickboxing, a sport forbidden to women in their homeland Steve Marais
The Power of a Woman / A documentary sports portrait series
Doing it all wrong (nsfw) / A personal portrait series by Steve Marais exploring the tension between being seen and the limits of what can be shown, featuring artistic nudity. Featuring Julian Zigerli Steve Marais
Doing it all wrong (nsfw) / A personal portrait series
Rock Paper Scissorli / A playful and energetic fashion campaign for designer Julian Zigerli's 'Rock Paper Scissorli' collection, photographed by Steve Marais. Steve Marais
Rock Paper Scissorli / A playful and energetic fashion campaign for designer Julian Zigerli’s ‘Rock Paper Scissorli’ collection
The Beams of Light / A personal documentary portrait series by Steve Marais. Uzinthle Mthembu is an artist and spiritual light worker from South Africa. She reached out to me online and invited me to document her practice involving chanting, humming, and channeling energy through mirrors placed intuitively in the landscape. Steve Marais
The Beams of Light / A personal documentary portrait series
Tour Ends Here / Rico Barlow / A photo series by Steve Marais for Heavy Feral, exploring post-performance intimacy and vulnerability with subject Rico Barlow, featuring artistic nudity. Rico, a self-proclaimed Steve Marais
Tour Ends Here: Rico Barlow
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