Monika Rittershaus, Berlin, is a freelance opera and theatre photographer and is considered one of the most successful and sought-after representatives of her profession.
Rittershaus was born in Wuppertal. She studied philosophy, German language and literature and art history from 1982-1984, then photo and film design until 1992, graduating as a designer. She interrupted her studies for her first assignments as a theatre photographer at the Vienna Burgtheater, the Stuttgart State Opera, the Hamburg State Opera, the Basel Theatre and the Bregenz Festival.
Since 1992, Rittershaus has worked regularly as a stage and concert photographer with renowned directors and with major orchestras internationally.