In this article, Long reflects on a transformative year of creative growth, exploring new ways to tell visual stories and collaborating with like-minded creators. Through personal anecdotes, client projects, and insights into his artistic process, Long shares his journey of finding inspiration and pushing the boundaries of his craft.
This year has been a transformative journey as I’ve explored new creative styles and projects that pushed my boundaries as a photographer and videographer.
I have been focusing more on video, and that definitely changed how I see things. Before, I was mostly into capturing big, dramatic landscapes—like those perfect moments with amazing light and weather. With video, I’ve started paying attention to the smaller, quieter details, like birds flying at dawn, sunlight glittering on the water, or light rays streaming through the trees. Those little moments shine in a video and give it this dreamy, nostalgic vibe. It is less about planning everything perfectly and more about just being present and noticing the details. It’s been a different way of working, and I’m loving it.
I’m fortunate to be in a spot as a “creative filmmaker” where clients come to me because they like my style and how I tell stories visually. For me, it’s really about bringing my ideas to life. When I can work those ideas into a client project, it’s the best feeling—it lets me create what I’ve envisioned while also making a living. The best part is that these projects are the ones I get truly excited about and pour all my energy into, which ends up being a win for both me and the client.
This year, thanks to my client and partner Tamron, I got to realize two big ideas. One was creating space scenes with an astronaut, and the other was shooting a miniature village inspired by Studio Ghibli movies. Both projects were pretty hands-on—I built a space suit, a miniature spacecraft, and tiny wooden houses for the village. It was a ton of work, but so worth it. These projects not only showcase what Tamron lenses can do but also gave me a chance to share some behind-the-scenes moments and techniques with other filmmakers. Neither project is out yet (Dec 2024), but I am excited about the upcoming release!
Working with tourism boards is about understanding their goals and also the needs of your direct contact. If you can deliver work that they feel is a great investment—something worth the time and money they’ve spent—you’re much more likely to be hired again next year.
For certain projects or clients, I collaborate with other creators. Over the past months, collaboration has become an essential part of my creative process. I’m naturally more of a shy person and don’t always feel comfortable approaching people, but when I meet like-minded individuals, it is something special. There’s something magical about connecting with someone from a completely different place who shares similar ideas and a deep understanding of creative things – you just click and these people often become good friends. Working on projects with them is incredible; traveling together feels like a fun school trip but with the added excitement of creating something productive. While I generally enjoy working alone, being part of a great group can bring so much energy and motivation to the work. It’s amazing how much more you can achieve when everyone’s passion and creativity feed off each other.
When working productively and smoothly as a team though, planning things together and making sure everyone’s needs are clear is key. Sharing the workload often makes things a lot easier. I often travel with Maurice (@hoehen_flug), and we’re pretty good at dividing tasks. Since we both need photos and videos, it wouldn’t make sense for each of us to do everything simultaneously. Instead, we usually focus on one thing—Maurice handles most of the video work while I concentrate on photos. It’s a system that works really well for us!
The photo that won the best of the week was also captured in collaboration with the talented photographer Maud (@maud_bsc). It was a pretty crazy day: After only 2.5 hours of sleep, we started a 1200m elevation hike in the middle of the night in Zermatt to catch sunrise at a mountain lake – It was absolutely exhausting. After coming down from the mountain, we left Switzerland and headed to Lacs des Chéserys in Chamonix for sunset. We took the cable car up, hiked another 1.5 hours, and made it just in time for sunset.
If that sounds like a packed and intense day, it was! You don’t always have such great weather conditions in the Alps in late October, so when you do, you want to take advantage of it. Since Maud and I are both photographers, we usually swap between being behind and in front of the camera. That evening, I ended up being more in front of the lens. She wanted to capture me standing on the other side of the lake, so all I had to do was stand there, look around, and soak in the incredible surroundings. It was such a nice change to just relax and enjoy the moment. Normally, I’m pretty critical when someone else takes photos with me in the frame – but this time it was just great. Maud is incredibly talented and knows exactly what she’s doing.
This photo is a perfect example of how collaboration yields better results sometimes. I would have loved to capture it myself, but it’s impossible to do everything at once. In this case, we both wanted photos with someone in the frame, so I didn’t mind stepping in front of the camera. At the end of the day, it’s about making sure everyone gets the shots and footage they need from the trip.
When it comes to editing, in general, my process can be brought down to two key aspects. The first would be, giving the photos a distinct look by adjusting contrast and tweaking colors to match the vibe you’re going for. The second is using localized editing to make the subject stand out. This means toning down less interesting parts of the image while emphasizing key elements like the sky or the lighting in the scene.
For both of these aspects, I rely a lot on my presets. They offer a variety of styles and come with built-in masking tools that help highlight specific areas, like the subject or the sky while downplaying the less important parts. I use the presets as a starting point and then make a few small adjustments to fine-tune the final look.
In terms of style, my approach evolves with the seasons and the environment. I like adding variety to my Instagram feed because I love experimenting with different styles while at the same time, I try to stick to one recognizable style that people can immediately identify as mine.
Autumn is the perfect time to switch things up a bit. With nature’s yellows and oranges taking over and greens fading away, it feels natural to adapt my editing style to match a complementary color scheme. I also adjust my photo selection to fit this vibe. Alongside autumn scenes, you’ll find more high alpine landscapes with snowy peaks and brown rocks, deserts from places like Morocco, Namibia, and Jordan, as well as rocky coastlines in Portugal and the Canary Islands. It is a great way to mix things up while still keeping a cohesive feel.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to launch a few new projects. Two online workshops—one on photo editing and another on landscape photography—are in the works. I’m also developing a platform for creators to access high-quality music, sound effects, and other resources tailored for reels and content creation. It’s still early days, but I’m passionate about creating something that meets the needs of fellow creators while continuing to push the boundaries of my work.
For now, though, I’m taking time to recharge after an intense year and prepare for what’s to come. Rest, reflection, and planning my next priorities are surely also crucial to delivering my best work.
Eric is a passionate landscape photographer based in Germany whose love for travel and the outdoors blossomed during the pandemic. A trip to the Dolomites in 2022 turned his hobby into a deeper pursuit, leading him to capture breathtaking landscapes with both his camera and drone. Eric now combines his hobby with professional gigs.
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