When people ask about my roots, I usually say that I see myself as a European citizen. Born in Germany in 1980, my heritage is a rich tapestry. My grandmother married a Luxembourgish man whose ancestors hailed from Genoa, Italy. This makes me predominantly German, with a splash of Luxembourgish and Italian—a blend that has shaped my colorful temperament. Today, I am happily married with three wonderful children, and my wife brings her own unique heritage from Kazakhstan.
Photography didn’t play a significant role in my life until I turned 30, although my journey with it began much earlier. As a nine-year-old boy, I saved all my pocket money to buy a cheap Fuji analog camera. Unfortunately, it didn’t develop into a hobby at that time. It wasn’t until I got my first digital camera in 2002 that my interest was rekindled. Initially, it was more about exploring and tinkering. My main focus was on studying and working as a software developer.
The year 2009 marked a turning point. I began to take photography more seriously while still working as an IT consultant (on various projects for the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, and Eurocontrol). I found myself investing a considerable amount of time and money into photography gear. It was my wife who suggested that I start earning money with this passion.
After a few years of honing my skills and building my confidence, I launched a side business in 2012, taking on paid assignments. I still remember the excitement of going to the bank to pick up the money for a brand new Canon EOS 5D Mark III—a camera that has never failed me and that I still own to this day. By 2014, I began to slowly reduce my workload as a senior IT consultant, shifting my focus more towards photography. New clients came, and my photographic work started to ramp up. To separate my work from home life, I rented part of an office space in the heart of Trier, allowing me to establish a dedicated photo studio.
By the end of 2016, photography had become my full-time business. That same year, I moved my photo studio to a bigger location, which I still hold to this day. It has grown to become one of the largest photo studios in the Trier area, and I am proud of how far I have come. However, when the pandemic hit, like many others, I faced significant challenges. Cherry-picking projects became a luxury I could no longer afford. To support my family, I began taking on IT projects again.
Throughout this journey, I’ve grown into a person who truly cares about other people’s needs. Helping others evolve has become a fundamental part of who I am. Whether it’s through capturing the essence of a moment in a photograph or providing IT solutions that empower others, I am committed to making a positive impact on people’s lives.
I’ve always had an affinity for the sea. I believe everything is interconnected, sometimes in obvious ways, but often in ways we cannot comprehend. This belief has deepened through my work with clients in the shipping industry. I see the sea as a metaphor for the vast, intricate web of connections that define our world—connections that I strive to illuminate through my work.
Today, I find myself juggling both photography and IT work, seamlessly blending my two professional worlds. I have forgotten what it feels like to be bored. This is my story so far—an ongoing journey of passion, resilience, and a commitment to excellence in both my crafts.