Markus Klinko: Britney Spears, In The Zone

“Britney would be the hottest woman I have ever photographed, she was super sexy. At the time, she was just unbelievable – so natural and so sweet.” ~ Markus Klinko

Markus Klinko is a fashion and celebrity photographer known for his high-profile celebrity shoots. In 2004, he photographed pop superstar Britney Spears.

The photo session with Britney was for a campaign to promote her Onyx Hotel Tour, in conjunction with the release of the pop star's album In The Zone. The Onyx Hotel Tour was the fifth concert tour by the American entertainer. The tour was divided into seven segments: 'Check-In', 'Mystic Lounge', 'Mystic Garden', 'The Onyx Zone', 'Security Cameras', 'Club' and the 'Encore'. 'Check-In' displayed performances with dance and advanced in the hotel theme. 'Mystic Lounge' featured an homage to Cabaret and other musicals, while remixing some of Britney's early hits. 'Mystic Garden' displayed a jungle-inspired stage. 'The Onyx Zone' displayed a ballad performance with acrobats. 'Security Cameras' was the raciest part of the show, with Britney and her dancers emulating different sexual practices. 'Club' displayed a performance with urban influences. The 'Encore' consisted of a system malfunction interlude with Britney performing in a red ensemble. Images from the photoshoot with Markus were used in the Concert Tour Programme.

Britney had clear ideas of what she wanted - a dark, magical world with inspirations including enchanted gardens, jazz clubs, ice castles and haunted bedrooms. “Britney was just so personable and she had a lot of the ideas for the images. It was one of the loveliest experiences,” commented Markus.

At the time, Britney sought a break from her good-girl image. Markus' photos of the star immortalised her as the stunning force of nature that she has become. In these shots, she is a goddess, a beautiful creature out of mythology.

The shoot was incredibly successful. Markus' images were used to promote The Onyx Hotel Tour and on Britney's album cover for the universally acclaimed song 'Everytime'.

Images from the shoot were later used for numerous magazine covers, such as Vanity Fair. Beauty giant Elizabeth Arden also licensed pictures and used them to advertise two of Britney's fragrances - Fantasy and Midnight Fantasy.

It was the highest-grossing merchandising campaign for a female pop star at the time - and one of Markus' most successful shoots.

“Britney would be the hottest woman I have ever photographed, she was super sexy. At the time, she was just unbelievable – so natural and so sweet.” - Markus Klinko

~ Welcome To The Onyx Hotel ~

Deep within us exists an extraordinary world. A world when something else is possible. A world called ‘Onyx’.

It belongs to us, challenges us to uncover passions we thought we’d lost long ago. Here, anything is possible.

An onyx, by definition, is a gemstone that has alternating parallel layers of different colours. The onyx within ourselves lies torment until we call it, waiting to explode a fantastical world in front of our eyes, reminding us of the different layers life has to offer. In this case, it has chosen a home.

Welcome to the Onyx Hotel.

~ The Onyx Hotel, Concert Tour Programme ~

~ Once You Check-In, You Can't Check Out! ~

Hey there! Why so glum chum? Is life getting ya down? Aw… don’t do that. We don’t like it when you do that. How about you and I have a little chat? There, much better. Now I can see you and you can see me. Yippee!

I know a place where you’ll be free from your woes. Where fun filled fantasies keep you on your toes. Where worry and regret are things you forget and all your darkest secrets show. Put your plans aside, let The Onyx be your guide. You’ll dive into imagination, your body will be privy to many a titillation. This is an experience only a few are privileged to tell. So come inside. I welcome you to The Onyx Hotel!

Once you check in, you can’t check out!

~ Check-In [opening monologue], The Onyx Hotel Tour, Miami 2004 ~

~ The Onyx Hotel, Concert Tour Programme ~

~ Britney, In The Zone ~

“Britney would be the hottest woman I have ever photographed, she was super sexy. At the time, she was just unbelievable – so natural and so sweet.

“Britney was just so personable and she had a lot of the ideas for the images. It was one of the loveliest experiences.” ~ Markus Klinko

Source: "High-Fashion Photographers Declare Britney Spears to Be 'Hottest Woman' on Earth" by Hollie McKay, Fox News, 2010

Markus Klinko is a fashion and celebrity photographer known for his high-profile celebrity shoots. In 2004, he photographed pop superstar Britney Spears. The photo session with Britney was for a campaign to promote her Onyx Hotel Tour, in conjunction with the release of the pop star's album In The Zone.

Britney had clear ideas of what she wanted - a dark, magical world with inspirations including enchanted gardens, jazz clubs, ice castles and haunted bedrooms. The Onyx Hotel Tour was the fifth concert tour by the American entertainer. The tour was divided into seven segments: 'Check-In', 'Mystic Lounge', 'Mystic Garden', 'The Onyx Zone', 'Security Cameras', 'Club' and the 'Encore'.

'Mystic Lounge' featured a homage to Cabaret and other musicals while remixing some of Britney's early hits.

In 2004, Markus photographed pop superstar Britney Spears. The photo session with Britney was for a campaign to promote her Onyx Hotel Tour, in conjunction with the release of the pop star's album 'In The Zone'.

Britney had clear ideas of what she wanted - a dark, magical world with inspirations including enchanted gardens, jazz clubs, ice castles and haunted bedrooms.

At the time, Britney sought a break from her good-girl image. Markus' photos of the star immortalised her as the stunning force of nature that she has become. In these shots, she is a goddess, a beautiful creature out of mythology.

Released in 2004, 'Everytime' is the third single from Britney's fourth studio album, 'In The Zone' [2003].

After her relationship with Justin Timberlake ended in 2002, Britney became friends with her background singer Annet Artani. They started writing songs together at Britney's house in Los Angeles and then travelled to Lombardy, Italy, where they collaborated on 'Everytime'.

Musically, it is a piano-driven pop ballad that lyrically pleas for forgiveness for inadvertently hurting a former lover. Britney composed the music herself and wrote the lyrics with Artani.

'Everytime' received universal acclaim from music critics, who praised its lyrics, composition and Britney's breathy vocals and songwriting, deeming it amongst the highlights of 'In the Zone'. It became a global success, topping the charts in five countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom.

Britney performed the song on the piano in a flowered-themed setting during The Onyx Hotel Tour [2004].

"I really think I'm talking to everyone when I perform 'Everytime'. It's about heartbreak, it's about your first love, your first true love. That's something all people can relate to, because you all have that first love that you think you're going to be with the rest of your life." ~ Britney Spears

When asked about his favourite person to photograph and why Markus replied:

"I am lucky because I shoot so many interesting people. The last one I shoot is always my favourite because of the adrenaline rush. The list is wondrous. I have top favourites, of course – Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Kim Kardashian, Kanye, Jay Z and Britney Spears. They are all among my very favourites. It's not just because they were shot in the 2000s; it's because I really love them and had a wonderful time working with them.

"Britney would be the hottest woman I have ever photographed; she was super sexy. At the time, she was just unbelievable – so natural and so sweet."

When asked about The Onyx Hotel Tour, Britney commented:

"I would love my audience to walk out of the auditorium feeling like they had the most magical experience of their life. The onyx stone is kind of symbolic of what guides me in my life like there's a bigger picture in everything, and there's something that guides you where you need to go, from point A to point B."

Behind these doors are the stories of lovers past, where happiness become sadness, and warmth is merely a memory.

Here broken spirits roam in the hopeless abyss of heartache, knowing nothing of time and space.

If you dare to enter you will be lost forever in a realm between shadow and substance.

Source: The Onyx Hotel, Concert Tour Programme

If yesterday is what you want, then yesterday is what you will get as you cross the thin line between reality and… The Onyx Zone.

Source: The Onyx Hotel, Concert Tour Programme

In 2004, Markus photographed pop superstar Britney Spears. The photo session with Britney was for a campaign to promote her Onyx Hotel Tour, in conjunction with the release of the pop star's album, "In The Zone".

Images from the shoot were later used for numerous magazine covers, such as Vanity Fair. Beauty giant Elizabeth Arden also licensed pictures and used them to advertise two of Britney's fragrances - "Fantasy" and "Midnight Fantasy".

It was the highest-grossing merchandising campaign for a female pop star at the time - and one of Markus' most successful shoots.

About Markus Klinko

Markus Klinko is an award-winning international fashion/celebrity photographer and director who has worked with many of today's most iconic film, music, and fashion stars. Markus has photographed the likes of Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, David Bowie, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Anne Hathaway, Kate Winslet, Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kim Kardashian, Naomi Campbell and Iman.

His editorial clients include Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, and Interview magazine. Brands such as Lancôme, L'Oréal Paris, Nike, Hugo Boss, Anna Sui, Pepsi, Skyy Vodka, and Remy Martin have hired Markus to create advertising campaigns.

Born in Switzerland of French, Italian, Jewish, and Hungarian descent, Markus spent his early years training to become a classical harp soloist. He studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris.

Later, Markus signed an exclusive recording contract with EMI Classics and a management contract with Columbia Artists Management. He received the Grand Prix de Disque for his recording of French harp music with the orchestra of the Paris Opera Bastille. Markus also performed in recitals and as a featured soloist with symphony orchestras around the world. He was also regularly featured in Vogue Italia, Vanity Fair, GQ, The New Yor Times, Madame Figaro, Stereo Review and Ongaku no Tomo.

After a hand injury, Markus became a fashion photographer and retired from his international concert and recording career.

Isabella Blow discovered Markus' work at the London Sunday Times and commissioned cover stories from the emerging photographer. Around the same time, Ingrid Sischy at Interview magazine hired Markus for various shoots. Iman and David Bowie followed, giving the up and coming photographer a chance to photograph them for their respective book (I am Iman) and album covers (Heathen).

From there, he created some of the most iconic album covers of our time, including Beyonce's "Dangerously in Love" and Mariah Carey's "The Emancipation of Mimi".