911 Love: Paul Ripke

Throughout his career, photographer Paul Ripke has always followed the credo of photographing only the best in their field. He embraced this principle with his photography book One Night in Rio, ultimately making a name for himself on an international level. In the book, he accompanies the German men’s national soccer team on their journey to the World Cup title in Brazil in 2014 – in powerful images depicting genuine emotions. With that career highlight under his belt, 43-year-old Ripke, who was born in Heidelberg, Germany, now has his sights set on other industries. For example, he follows musicians on tour and is delving deep into the world of motorsport in extensive projects. And in 2019, he began telling his own story. Ripke is expanding his horizons, works as an influencer, podcaster, and entrepreneur, and has founded his own fashion label, Pari. His private life is full of contrasts. While he enjoys testing his physical endurance on his racing bike, he also loves to drive fast in his 911. A 911 SC (G-Series) from 1981, the year he was born, is just one of the cars in his garage.

What is love?
19 years of marriage.

How are you?
Very well.

The Porsche 911 in three words?
Fulfilling a dream.

Which simple things can make you happy?
Cycling.

What would you never do in a 911?
Send a text message.

What’s your favorite road?
Highway 1 in the US state of California.

What can distract you?
Roadblocks.

Three things you would take to a desert island?
Laptop, iPhone, piano.

Is there a historical figure you admire?
No.

What on a 911 could you do without?
All the performance upgrades.

And what couldn’t you?
The shape.

What music did you wake up to this morning?
Chilly Gonzales.

Your favorite film?
I don’t have one.

Your favorite book?
Open by Andre Agassi.

Where do you long to be?
Newport Beach.

Your most treasured possession?
My stomach.

Your secret?
That’s top secret!

The 911 moment of your life?
On Highway 1 with my wife and son, with my racing bike on the roof and on the horizon the setting sun and whales breaching in the sea.