Ann-Kathrin Humberg
@annkathrin.hmbrg
Landscape photographer based in Germany
I’m Ann-Kathrin, 20 years old, I come from the Eifel region in Germany. As far as I remember I have been interested in creative things; drawing a lot, taking photos and making music. So I never really asked myself what I would like to do later; it was a natural path that led me to photography and media design. I studied media design and my goal was to combine it with photography to be as diverse as possible. However, it was only last summer that I really got into photography. I decided to do an internship at a photographer because I wanted to know more about it – as in what it is like to pursue photography as a professional career. I was aware that as a self-employed photographer there’s much more going on behind the scenes and I wanted to experience that myself. I also wanted to continue my technical training and an internship seemed just the right thing to do.
"I now work as a media designer and photographer; being able to combine two of my main passions is just great."
During the internship I got a much better insight in the diversity of tasks and activities that come with being a photographer. I started to perceive my surroundings in a different manner and could see the beauty of everything; my home environment suddenly became an area full of wonderful landscapes to capture. I also discovered street and portrait photography for myself and found the contrast to landscape photography very exciting.
"Though after shooting a day in the city, I was always happy to go back to nature."
During the weekends I always went out to practice, and I began to combine landscape photography with portrait photography. This calm, yet so diverse environment in combination with people yield beautiful results: I noticed that people are much more relaxed when they are photographed in nature and their expressions really come to live. I saw so many opportunities! Nature gives the best light you could possibly have and it’s lovely to work with the natural shadows in the forest. My enthusiasm for and knowledge about photography only kept growing during the internship period.
"When it was finished I got a camera as a farewell gift ... And that was the real beginning of my passion."
Not much later, I went on a trip to Scotland with my father. I obviously took my camera with me, as I had heard that Scotland should be very photogenic. It was even more fascinating than I could have ever imagined! Until then, I didn’t know a landscape could provoke within me so much calmness and excitement at the same time. Especially the island “Isle of Skye” left me speechless; everything there seemed to be very mystical and calm, indescribable…
After I took the first pictures I quickly realized that I have a relatively high standard for myself both in terms of composition and editing of the pictures. While taking pictures, I try to live up to my ideas. And when post processing, it is highly important to me to do justice to nature, to show it at its best. I want the pictures to remain as authentic as possible, because I believe nature is beautiful as it is. Due to the high demands on myself I usually need a little longer for editing, as I often change something again and again or throw out pictures because I don’t like them enough.
"Since I invest a lot of time in my pictures, I believe they reflect my personality in some way. When it is quiet around me, I often turn to myself and reflect a lot."
I find this characteristic reflected in the somewhat darker pictures. Many of my friends describe my pictures as very ‘moody’. Personally I would complete this with the words ‘minimalistic’ and ‘straightforward’. I like it more when the picture is not too overloaded, catching the attention of the viewer by the actual subject. I am mainly inspired by nature itself and every trip provides me new perspectives, new emotions and ideas on how to reflect these into my photography. How to improve. There are lots of places I want to go to, hunting for inspiration. My number one place to go would be Iceland, of course. I feel super drawn to the nordic countries anyway; Norway, Ireland, Lapland and the Faroe Islands….
"I believe they have a mystical touch and great nature. Being in these kind of places is just refreshing, clearing up my mind. It’s where I feel most free."
"Looking at the future, I want to continue with photography, improving myself and specializing in the field of nature photography."
There is always something new to learn and that’s also what excites me so much and what keeps me motivated. New scenes, new people, new techniques, new emotions… Whether I am shooting, editing or simply searching for information, I never get bored. I believe that the best way to learn is to just try. The same thing or something new, but trying. Again and again. And make it your own. If I look back at where I started and how I felt back then, and then looking at my progress in such a short time, I can be proud because I tried and can see my development. Along the way I became more confident and although I may still have a lot to learn, I feel determined to keep exploring places while capturing them as best as I can.
"And I know that every day, ‘the best I can’ will be better."
Would you like content like this sent to your inbox?
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
MUST READ STORIES OF FEBRUARY
MUST READ STORIES OF JANUARY
NOMADICT
ART GALLERY
THE LATEST STORIES
WRITEN WITH PASSION TO INSPIRE YOU
Miroslav Maršík (@miromarsik): Photographer based in Czech Republic
In this article, Miro shares how his love for cinematic music evolved into a deep passion for photography and how he uses light, color, and atmosphere to turn the streets of Prague into living film scenes.
Aurora photography panorama workflow: A guide to camera settings, editing, and color
In this article, Stefanie reveals how her background in physics sparked her passion for astrophotography and how she blends science with creativity to capture the beauty of the night sky. Readers will discover her approach to color, contrast, and editing, as well as her aurora photography workflow.
Yhabril (@yhabril): Best of the Week 33 at #nomadict
Spanish photographer Yhabril captures the profound connection between humans and the mountains that shaped him. Growing up in the Pyrenees, his work bridges outdoor sports, landscapes, and celestial scenes — often blending athletes, moonlight, and wilderness into striking visual stories.
Ariane Totzke (@besondersschwierig): Photographer based in Switzerland
In this article, Ariane shares how photography helped her navigate personal challenges, connect authentically with people and animals, and develop a philosophy rooted in empathy and artistic freedom. Readers will also discover her ethical approach to wildlife photography and her trusted equipment for both camouflage techniques and cameras.
How to photograph Dutch tulip fields: A guide to light, gear, composition, and colors
Discover how to photograph Dutch tulip fields in their most magical light. From choosing the right gear and lenses to mastering composition, color, and aerial perspectives, this guide shares creative techniques to capture the beauty of the Netherlands’ tulips. Learn how light, color grading, and proportion bring emotion into every frame.
Cinematic city photography: An essential 6-step workflow
In this article, you’ll learn how to read and use light in your home city, choose the right technical settings for low-light scenes, and refine your editing workflow to shape color and atmosphere step by step. In addition, Dominik shares how to find fresh perspectives on familiar locations, five lessons that transformed his photography, and insights on the future of street photography.
Kyle van Bavel (@kylevanbavel): Photographer based in the Netherlands
Kyle van Bavel is a macro photographer with a distinctive, dreamy style that transforms the unseen details of nature into magical worlds. In this article, he shares how his unique vision, shaped by a journey of self-learning and overcoming dyslexia, has become his greatest creative strength.
Inês Preto (@minespreto): Best of the week 20 at #nomadict 2025
Inês is a nature photographer drawn to wild, remote places where weather, wildlife, and mood shape her storytelling. In this article, she shares the behind-the-scenes journey of capturing the Best of the Week image: a puffin trio on the Faroe Islands. She explains how she approached the edit of this image, and shares key lessons she’s learned through experience.
