Antonin Verel
@withantonn
Photographer based in France
Today I am 25 years old, and for all these years I have simply used my phone to take random pictures of what happened in daily life, without caring about the quality, the framing, or the emotions that it could provoke. Photography was an unknown area to me, I never had a photo camera and I didn’t necessarily see the utility of it.
Once I started to spend more time on social media, I realized that there were photographers out there taking incredible travel photographs. The landscapes and the fact that these photographers shared their life by the means of photographs made me dream… Was this something I could do, too?
In September 2020, after I finished my studies, I planned one of my first long trips to Zakynthos island in Greece. I ordered a photo camera and a drone to be able to share my adventures through photography. I created lots of content that wasn’t qualitatively the best, but it definitely helped me learn the first tricks of photography and I advanced quickly.
After Greece I returned to Paris where I essentially did street photography. I practiced with the unknown “subjects” that I encountered on the streets in the present moment. Never did I prepare my shootings, I just charged my camera, had a certain objective in mind, and left the house. All day long I could be outside, photographing people, their movements, their interactions and emotions.
"I began at sunrise, when people started their days, going to work, taking the metro, bicycle, car or even the scooter. Paris woke up, and I composed my photos."
"What did people have on their mind? What were they feeling? What expectations of the day were influencing their state of being or appearance?"
Observing the people and following their energy helped me compose photos in the moment and decide on what I wanted to transmit with the result without planning photos beforehand. These days in Paris allowed me to profound my technical knowledge and to switch from automatic mode to manual. It has been a very enriching experience, helping me to observe and understand.
Several travels to different countries and natural scenes around the world then brought my interest in photography to another level, and it became a true passion. I developed my creativity, and I learned to tell a story and transmit emotions through my images, which ultimately showed me that you don’t take a photo – you make it.
Both travel and photography changed my vision of life and wellbeing. Traveling helped me to connect with the feeling of freedom. We don’t know what tomorrow will look like so the only real task we have is to be happy, to find pleasure in what we do and take advantage of the moment, also when working.
My last adventure was to Austria and Italy, road tripping in a rented campervan together with my girlfriend and our cat. We crisscrossed the routes of South Tyrol, experiencing the concept of vanlife, and were amazed by the beauty of the landscapes. It was like dreaming awake. We parked at different spots every time, saw the sun rise over new landscapes every day – simply magnificent. We had never been so close to nature before.
"Exploring new horizons and discovering the unknown made us realize that this is what we would continue to seek throughout our life."
Maybe it’s not the most comfortable, but what you get in return is definitely worth it. This summer we will be using the van to drive across Europe in search of new adventures, which we will surely share through photos on Instagram.
Photography and travel have both been an answer to my search for happiness – and being in nature, doing what I love, have given me many more answers I didn’t know I was searching for.
Would you like content like this sent to your inbox?
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
MUST READ MAY
MUST READ APRIL
MUST READ MARCH
MUST READ FEBRUARY
MUST READ JANUARY
8 MUST READS FROM 2020
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.
