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.
The first pictures I took at 14 years old were macros of paving stones and leaves. I remember being incredibly fascinated by the small structures of things that cannot be seen at first glance, only when you look very closely. I discovered a cosmos of colors and shapes through my father’s old analog SLR camera that I had found in the attic. I have been fascinated and passionate about photography ever since.
Landscape and wildlife photography are mindfulness exercises for me. When I take photographs in nature, I become completely calm, and my mind goes blank. I concentrate on my senses – what I perceive, how it smells, how it feels… I love that.
Photography has the unique ability to capture moments and emotions that would otherwise vanish in the flow of time, and it can reveal things that you don’t see with the naked eye. Either because the fleeting instances are too short or because they are too detailed to notice.
For example, in the moment of taking a photograph of an animal, you often don’t realize which micro-expression you’ve captured. It’s only later, when reviewing the files, that the small stories reflected in the animal’s face come to light. This element of surprise brings me great joy and continues to inspire me. In landscape photography, the process is slower but no less fascinating. Light, in particular, plays a key role – for instance, during a sunset in the Alps, when the so-called “Alpenglow” bathes the mountains in ever-changing colors. In these moments, the light shifts from minute to minute, and capturing this fleeting process with my camera is a special delight. It’s this combination of transience and detail that makes photography so meaningful to me.
But photography became more than just a passion – it also became a deeply personal source of strength. For a time, I suffered from severe panic attacks. We all carry personal challenges with us, whether it’s baggage from the past, trauma, or illness. No one is free from the burdens of life. For me, it has always been essential to address my fears and inner struggles with honesty and openness. Free communication and genuine self-reflection have been the most helpful tools for me. With medical support, loving people around me, and developing self-love, I was able to recover to a great extent.
My experiences with loss, illness, and fear deeply influence my photography. Nature is a sanctuary for me, a healing space where I can simply be myself. In nature, I am free from judgment, don’t have to perform, and feel no fear. I can fully immerse myself in my senses – and in those moments, I am at my happiest.
This understanding of vulnerability also shapes how I work with people. When I manage to capture these emotions in my photographs and they, in turn, evoke feelings in others, I am truly fulfilled. These experiences also help me in portrait and event photography. I understand that many people feel uncomfortable in front of the camera because they fear being judged. I try to ease their anxiety by talking to them, making them laugh, and avoiding artificial posing. People are at their most beautiful when their true essence shines through in their gestures and eyes – and that is exactly what I aim to capture with my photography.
Underlying all of this is my artistic philosophy. For me, photographs have a life of their own. Every image becomes a unique piece of art through the choice of perspective, the techniques used, and the digital editing process. But their significance goes even further: viewers bring their own perceptions and emotions to the experience, which means every photo expresses something different for each person. Aesthetic appreciation, despite prevailing beauty standards, is deeply personal. No one can dictate what someone should find beautiful or what emotions a work of art or artistic photograph should evoke.
Even though certain capitalist narratives try to impose such standards, I don’t let them influence me. This applies not only to my perception of art but also to the appreciation of my own body. Art and photography should be free from constraints, offering space for personal interpretation and individuality.
Just as I seek authenticity in people, I also feel a profound connection with animals. And it’s not just me who seeks a connection with animals when photographing wildlife – the animals themselves also connect with me. Even flight animals like deer or chamois sometimes share certain moments with me before deciding whether to flee or deem me harmless. Their instinct is usually to choose flight, as that’s their nature. Ibexes, on the other hand, are something truly special to me. They almost feel like friends, as they actively seek contact with humans when they are calm and not stressed. Especially in summer, when they are not fighting for survival like they do in winter, they often approach curiously and show a more trusting side.
One of my most remarkable encounters was with an old male ibex. I had been sitting on a mountain ridge for two hours, observing him from afar, when he suddenly decided to approach me. He came closer, step by step, until he was right next to me, almost as if he wanted to “converse.” It was a magical moment – he blinked at me, turned in different directions as if to show me various angles of himself, allowing me to take many photos and videos. I’m convinced he somehow understood that I was photographing him, and it even seemed like he enjoyed it, haha!
I will never forget this encounter. We were incredibly close, and I deeply cherished the time we spent together. For me, it was a true natural wonder and a powerful reminder of how important it is to protect our animal friends and their habitats – rather than destroying them through human actions.
This sense of respect extends to farm animals as well. Farm animals often have a special connection with humans. Here, I am not referring to industrial farming and unethical practices that show how far we’ve strayed from treating our animal companions with respect. In the Alps, however, there are many organic farms and farms with free-range practices where animals can roam freely outdoors.
On these farms, a deep bond often develops between the animals and the farmers. There’s one particular alp I visit frequently, and the farmer there never ceases to impress me. He has an incredible sensitivity for his cows – he immediately notices when one of them is unhappy, whether because it needs more space or is annoyed by other cows in the barn. In such cases, he moves the cow to another area or lets it graze outside. It’s inspiring to observe this kind of empathy and respect for the animals.
Humans and farm animals have coexisted for centuries. I wish this bond would be more appreciated again, and that we would treat farm animals with greater care. They are not only part of our culture and traditions but also living beings who deserve respect and compassion.
Of course, with this closeness comes a responsibility. It is essential to avoid threatening wildlife (or farm animals), getting too close to them, or entering protected nature reserves. This is especially important in winter, as wild animals need all their energy reserves to survive the cold season. During this time, it’s crucial not to disturb them unnecessarily – just for the sake of capturing a spectacular photo.
Social media also plays a role: sensitive locations should not be shared with the general public to prevent these areas from being overrun by hobby photographers. Consulting with foresters or official hunters can also be valuable. They possess expert knowledge on how to photograph wildlife in a respectful and responsible way.
Over time, you develop an instinct for when and where it is appropriate to approach certain areas without causing harm. And, of course, having the right equipment is key. Using a telephoto lens allows you to capture impressive and detailed shots from a distance without disturbing the animals. For me, responsibility and consideration are always the top priorities in wildlife photography.
One way I honor this responsibility is through careful camouflage. There are various methods of camouflage that are also used by hunters, such as camouflage suits, hides, or blinds. I’ve tried many of them and found that hides work particularly well if you have the patience to sit still for hours. One advantage of hides is that they help block human scents. Wild animals have an incredibly sharp sense of smell and can often detect humans from hundreds of meters away. Foxes, for example, find human scents repulsive, and deer also have a highly sensitive sense of smell. A hide is very effective in minimizing these odors.
However, when I’m moving through the forest and want the flexibility to change locations, I prefer using a camouflage suit, as it allows more freedom of movement. In general, it’s important to avoid wearing clothing washed with strong-scented detergents, as animals can pick up on those smells too. With the right camouflage and mindful behavior, you can photograph animals more unobtrusively and capture their natural behaviors in a way that feels truly authentic.
Alongside mindful practices, the right gear is essential in bringing my vision to life. For my photography, I use a combination of three cameras and four lenses that provide flexibility and exceptional quality in various situations.
My main camera is the Sony Alpha 7RV, which impresses me with its outstanding resolution and incredible detail. It is complemented by the Sony Alpha 7 III, a reliable workhorse that delivers excellent performance across all areas.
When it comes to lenses, I rely on a well-balanced mix:
My brand partner Tamron Switzerland supports me perfectly with the equipment I need. Without Tamron lenses, I wouldn’t be able to carry out my work with such ease and creativity.
This combination of cameras and lenses allows me to bring my creative vision to life across a variety of photographic genres, from wildlife to portraits.
Looking ahead, I see my work evolving in ways that continue this dialogue between humans, animals, and nature. Last year, I worked on an art project centered around the Swiss primeval forest, which is very close to my heart. “Beyond the Jungle” is a dialogue with nature, a project that doesn’t offer ready-made answers but encourages reflection. It asks questions such as: What can we learn from the forest? What stories do the trees whisper to us? And what does it mean to be part of something greater than ourselves? My photographs invite viewers to rediscover their connection to nature and seek answers in the silence of the forest. I was honored to receive an award for this project at the Luxembourg Art Prize, which meant a great deal to me. In the near future, I plan to continue this work and create additional photo series focused on the Swiss primeval forest.
I am also deepening my focus on show photography. Inspiring projects and captivating assignments await me, and I look forward to them with great anticipation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
