After completing a basic commercial training, Peter Bitzer (born 1954) studied German Language and Literature, as well as Political Science at the university of Marburg in Germany.

He finished his studies in 1986 and he first worked in marketing and distribution for various newspapers and magazines. He held the position of Head of Distribution at the Bilderberg – Agentur der Fotografen from 1990 to 1992 and as of 1993 he took the position of Managing Partner for laif Agentur für Photos und Reportagen GmbH. Under his direction the agency developed into one of Germany’s top suppliers of magazine for travel photography and photojournalism. Peter collaborates with over 400 photographers and 40 international picture desks.

Since 2010 Peter Bitzer has been teaching an editing course at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts, in Dortmund. He has been acting as a jury member for competitions such as World Press Photo Award, Vonovia Award, Stenin Contest, Canon New Talent Award, among other. Peter is married, has one daughter and lives in Cologne.