{"id":14586,"date":"2026-05-12T07:57:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T07:57:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/klaus-maresch.photography\/grabbys-2026-big-stage-for-studios-little-room-for-creators-and-photographers\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T07:57:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T07:57:29","slug":"grabbys-2026-big-stage-for-studios-little-room-for-creators-and-photographers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/klaus-maresch.photography\/en\/grabbys-2026-big-stage-for-studios-little-room-for-creators-and-photographers\/","title":{"rendered":"Grabbys 2026 \u2013 Big Stage for Studios, Little Room for Creators and Photographers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our journey to the Grabbys 2026 in Torremolinos began \u2013 unexpectedly \u2013 with a real highlight. The over 2,300-kilometer drive through Luxembourg, France, and Spain was relaxed, smooth, and almost restorative. Anyone accustomed to the daily grind of German autobahns with their construction sites, speed changes, and stress experiences a completely different form of travel in Luxembourg, France, and Spain. Three driving segments between 500 and 900 kilometers \u2013 and we arrived at the hotel in the evening surprisingly well-rested. <\/p>\n

Upon arriving in Torremolinos, we set up a separate apartment as a mobile studio in the Hotel Ritual, next to our room. In advance, numerous creators had expressed interest in shootings<\/a> \u2013 and this work, in retrospect, became one of the few genuine added values of the Grabbys. <\/p>\n

The Real Added Value of the Grabbys: Encounters with Creators<\/h2>\n
\"Traveled<\/a>
Traveled from South America to the Grabbys 2026. – was it worth it for these twinks?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Away from the official event, exciting encounters emerged: creators with diverse backgrounds, motivations, and working methods. From the politically engaged Berlin actor who earns more as a creator than in theater, to the assistant doctor with a side job, to international creator couples and production groups \u2013 the Gay Content Creator<\/a> scene is very multifaceted. <\/p>\n

These conversations and shootings were inspiring \u2013 and they simultaneously made it clear where the truly interesting topic lies for us: with independent creators, not with the classic studios of gay adult entertainment.<\/p>\n

The Grabbys Themselves: Clear Focus on Large Studios<\/strong><\/p>\n

The official program points \u2013 Fashion Show, Red Carpet, and Award Show \u2013 presented a different picture. It quickly became clear that the event primarily targets large production studios and their brand presentation. <\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The catwalk in the pool at Hotel Ritual, where models presented themselves during the Grabbys 2026. (Photo: Klaus Maresch)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The fashion show, postponed to Saturday due to bad weather, was less a fashion event and more a parade of studio models. Short walks, hardly any posing, little photographic added value. For photographers, there was practically no opportunity to take high-quality shots. What we saw was more an involuntary attempt at a gay answer to “The Devil Wears Prada!” <\/p>\n

There are fashion brands specializing in gay men, and the pool with its catwalk at Hotel Ritual is perfectly suited for such a Grabbys catwalk, but what we saw had as little to do with a fashion show as Donald Trump with the Nobel Peace Prize. The textile collection at Fotostudio Vohwinkel offers a wider range of shirts, pants, briefs, and suits to showcase the masculinity of attractive men<\/a>. <\/p>\n

This pattern continued on the Red Carpet: high pace, “Next, please” timing by the official photographer, hardly any time for interaction or image composition. For external photographers<\/a>, this meant: hardly any usable material. The main thing was to get the side program done. Loveless. <\/p>\n

The impression solidified: the event is not designed to give creators or independent media<\/a> space \u2013 but primarily serves to showcase established studios and sponsors. The “little creator next door” is welcome as a paying guest, however \u2013 only a rogue would think ill of it. <\/p>\n

Working Conditions for Photographers: Practically Non-existent<\/strong><\/p>\n

From a photographic perspective, the conditions were generally inadequate:<\/p>\n