The German Federal Ministry of Finance, led by Lars Klingbeil of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has issued an EU-wide tender for photography and videography services worth approximately 580,000 euros (around $650,000), plus value-added tax bringing the total to 620,000 euros. The contract would cover services from 2026 to 2027, continuing a practice that has drawn criticism for government spending on media services.
According to reports first published by Bild newspaper and subsequently covered by Focus Online, the ministry is seeking a team capable of providing year-round, high-quality photo and video services. The successful bidder must be available for work on weekends, Sundays, and holidays, and must be prepared to travel globally on short notice when required. The ministry estimates it will need between 175 to 225 service deployments per year.
The tender specifications require mobile services and the ability to respond to urgent requests worldwide. Beyond basic photography and videography, the contract also includes provisions for professional makeup artists and stylists who would handle hair, makeup, wardrobe application, and corrections. However, the costs for these additional services will be billed separately and were not disclosed in the initial reports.
When contacted by Bild newspaper for comment, a ministry spokesperson responded coolly, stating that "the commissioning of photographers is common practice in all federal ministries and serves to fulfill the federal government's information mandate." This standard response reflects the government's position that such expenditures are necessary operational costs.
The photography contract comes amid ongoing scrutiny of government spending on media and styling services that began during the previous coalition government. During the so-called "traffic light coalition" period, spending by ministers on photos, videos, and makeup services became a subject of public debate and media attention.
Recent data obtained by Bild reveals that even during its final months, the outgoing coalition government continued substantial spending on styling services. Between January and March 2025, the remaining government (consisting only of Social Democrats and Greens after the coalition collapse) spent a total of 49,646 euros on makeup and styling services.
Former Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of the Green Party became a particular focus of media attention regarding styling expenses. According to Bild's calculations, Baerbock's annual makeup costs totaled 20,849 euros, which translates to approximately 248 euros per day solely for makeup services, making her the highest spender among government officials in this category.
Baerbock defended these expenditures during a panel discussion in 2024, explaining the practical necessity: "Otherwise you look like a gravedigger because you appear completely gray." She further elaborated that during official trips, it's not feasible to search for local makeup artists each time. "That's why it's standard practice," Baerbock said during the Hannover event, "not just for me, but it's always highlighted when it comes to women, though it also applies to the Chancellor's office and other male colleagues – that you accordingly have makeup artists."
The current black-red coalition government (Christian Democrats and Social Democrats) continues to allocate budgets for styling services, though specific figures for the current administration have been documented separately by various media outlets. This ongoing practice demonstrates that such expenditures are considered standard operating procedures across different government configurations.
The timing of this photography tender has raised eyebrows given Klingbeil's role as Finance Minister, a position that traditionally involves calling for fiscal restraint and encouraging others to save money. Critics argue that a 600,000-euro photography contract appears inconsistent with calls for government austerity and efficient spending of taxpayer funds.
The EU-wide tender process ensures compliance with European procurement regulations, allowing photography and videography companies from across the European Union to bid for the lucrative contract. The successful bidder will be expected to maintain professional standards while providing comprehensive coverage of the Finance Ministry's activities and official events over the two-year contract period.
