I was born and raised in Innsbruck, Austria, a bustling little city surrounded by mountains. The Alps provide a beautiful backdrop for outdoor activities and my hometown is a popular tourist destination. But, having grown up here, it took me a long time to actually see the beauty that had been surrounding me all my life.

I was introduced to photography at an early age, although back then the camera was of course analogue, and you had to wait until the whole film was used up before you could see if your perfect shot turned out. As I started to explore the world around me, this camera became my constant companion. Growing older, my focus shifted, and I decided to enjoy the moment rather than try to capture a memory. However, as a mental image is not something you can easily share, I realized a few years ago that some impressions are worth keeping.

So I decided to rekindle my love for taking pictures, treated myself to a brand-new DSLR, ventured outside, and have been quite literally seeing the world through a new lens ever since.

I rarely take pictures of people, because I prefer capturing the universal beauty of the world rather than traditional holiday snaps. Nature has so much to offer – be that in the large scale as landscapes or panoramic views, or in the smaller scale, zooming in on animals or flowers. Human designs catch my eye quite frequently as well, and I am particularly pleased when I see architecture that complements nature rather than feeling intrusive.