Volker Hinz, born 1947 in Hamburg, sold his first photographs to newspapers and magazines when he was only twenty. 1971 he became the head of the picture agency Sven Simon in Bonn. The photographs he took of German politicians on travels around the world, for instance the first formal visit of a German foreign minister Walter Scheel to China, made him a well-known photojournalist throughout Germany. From 1974 onwards he was staff photographer of stern magazine Hamburg, where he photographed not only politicians but became famous for his reportages from around the world. 

1978 Volker Hinz went to New York und worked as a freelance photographer until four month later he became staff photographer of stern magazine again, now based in New York, photographing mainly in the United States and in South America.  Here, he took many interesting black and white and colored reportages like those of the New York nightlife, of Hollywood, Washington und Mexico. Since 1986 Volker Hinz lived in Hamburg again.

Since the 80ies Volker Hinz had discovered for himself the 2 ¼ inch format camera and photographed, besides 35mm cameras with various cameras in 6x6mm format, exclusively on black and white or color negative film.  

His work is published in many international magazines like GEO, Life, Look, New York Magazine, Vanity Fair, New Yorker, Photo or Paris Match. World Press and Art Directors Club Germany repeatedly awarded the projects of Volker Hinz. His photographs were part of many national and international shows and can be found in different private collections and museums.

Volker Hinz died in Hamburg on 19th October 2019.