My First 911 by Kai Hartmann
My First 911 — A Porsche Photography Book About People, Passion, and the Car You Never Forget
I'm beyond excited to announce that the launch of my book "My First 911" is just around the corner. The printing process at our publisher in Germany is nearly complete, and the official book launch is scheduled for mid-March 2026.
This has been one of the most personal and ambitious projects of my career — and I genuinely couldn't be more proud of what it became.
A Journey Across Four Continents
What started as a passion project evolved into a global photographic and storytelling journey. Over the course of this project, I traveled to 18 cities across four continents, meeting Porsche owners from all walks of life and listening to the stories behind their very first 911. In total, the book features 36 individual owner stories — each one honest, emotional, and entirely unique.
From private collectors in Europe to motorsport enthusiasts in Asia, from first-time owners to those who've spent a lifetime with the 911 — these are the voices that make up "My First 911." Each portrait session was its own story: finding the right light, the right location, the right moment to capture not just a car, but the relationship between an owner and their 911. That's what automotive photography means to me — it's never just about the machine.
The Book
"My First 911" is a 320-page bilingual coffee table book, published in both English and German by renowned German automotive publisher Delius Klasing. It's a celebration of one of the most iconic sports cars ever built — not through specs and statistics, but through the deeply personal connections people form with their cars.
The book's visual identity was crafted by creative director Wayne Lau, whose layout design brings together photography, portraiture, and personal narrative into a cohesive, beautifully designed whole. A very special thank you also goes to Stefan Bogner of Curves magazine, whose support and belief in this project helped make it a reality.
For me, the Porsche 911 is more than a vehicle. It's a symbol of passion, craftsmanship, and legacy — one that has shaped automotive culture for over six decades. And this book is my way of honoring that.
A Gold Award at the Tokyo International Foto Awards
During the production of "My First 911," one of the photographs from the project was awarded a Gold award at the Tokyo International Foto Awards. It was a humbling reminder of why this project matters — and why these stories deserve to be told.
Where to Get the Book
The launch is almost here. "My First 911" will be available through Amazon (worldwide), Delius Klasing and select automotive and photography bookstores. More details on where to order your copy will follow very soon.
If you're a Porsche enthusiast, a collector, or simply someone who believes that the best car stories are the human ones — this book is for you.
Stay tuned.
— Kai
---
Keywords: My First 911, Porsche 911 book, Porsche coffee table book, Porsche owner stories, automotive photography book, Delius Klasing, Porsche 911 photography, bilingual Porsche book, Kai Hartmann photographer, Kai Hartmann automotive photography, automotive book launch 2026, Porsche culture, classic Porsche 911, 911 stories, Porsche enthusiast gift, luxury automotive photography, Singapore automotive photographer, Asia Pacific automotive photography, Porsche portrait photography, Wayne Lau creative director, Stefan Bogner Curves magazine, Tokyo International Foto Awards, Porsche 911 history, sports car photography book, German automotive publisher, Porsche book English German, first Porsche 911, automotive storytelling, Porsche lifestyle, Porsche collector book