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Tanja Bachmann
@manotama13
Traveler and aspiring photographer based in Switzerland
My mother had taken me to the travel agency as an 8-year-old, and we were being advised on different vacation spots. As a young child, I was thoroughly impressed by the travel agent’s knowledge. I was astonished she could instantly recall what the climate would be like in the Canary Islands in October. I knew one day that I, too, would possess these seemingly magical powers of infinite knowledge about the world.
"This impressive moment has always stayed etched in my mind."
It probably influenced my decision to join the travel industry on an apprenticeship at the end of my schooling. As soon as I started, I was given instructions to go to Sicily, all alone, as a young lady. I explored the island, met its inhabitants, and had fun in an entirely new culture. This period of my life was definitely the start of my wanderlust. It’s probably why I’ve now stayed in this profession for a good twenty-three years.
"I love my job as a travel consultant from the bottom of my heart, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."
Several times a year, I get on a plane and explore different, exciting corners of the globe. I’ve now visited 54 countries, and, believe it or not, I didn’t have a camera with me on most of these trips. I was often annoyed about other people “missing out” on what they were experiencing as they had a device right in front of their face! Magical moments, like the stormy wind in my hair on the Great Wall of China, the gang of monkeys that plundered the breakfast buffet in Africa, or the mystical atmosphere on Machu Picchu. I believed all these moments would have been “missed” if I had a camera in front of me.
You can see then why my passion for photography came much later. The new technical possibilities and the continually improving quality of mobile phone cameras contributed to me finally picking up a camera too. I became aware of a beautiful photo’s intricacies during this period, and I’ve never stopped taking pictures since.
I still consider myself to be a complete beginner with the camera. Until recently, I took all my images with my iPhone. I quickly noticed that taking photos with my mobile phone would no longer be enough for me. It’s challenging to capture the subtleties of great landscapes in good quality from a distance with a mobile phone. Sharp, zoomed-in pictures are an impossibility! There were many times where I thought I had captured something magnificent with my phone. Then during the editing process, I discovered that what looked great in person only appeared as a small dot in my photo.
This is why, last December, I fulfilled a new dream of owning my first camera, the Nikon Z6. I’m now busy teaching myself the subtleties and refinements of this “technology.” It’s crazy how significant the differences are between cell phone photos and full format. The change was absolutely worth it as I have a lot of fun and learn new things each day! What could be nicer than deepening your love for your hobby and discovering new tips & tricks to use your camera?!
Photography is a lot like traveling to me. You see, as a naive 22-year-old, I went on a big, spontaneous trip through Bolivia, Peru, and northern Chile without having a plan in mind or even knowing Spanish! It was only on the plane to Lima that I became aware of what I was doing there. That was a moment of pure horror. My decision, my spontaneity, and my fearlessness finally dawned on me. BUT – in reflection, this trip was one of the best decisions of my life. That’s exactly how I see photography. As a small fish, I absolutely have to go into the large shark tank, even if that may be a scary experience.
"This is the only way I can learn and thrive."
During my travels, I’ve been lucky enough to experience a lot of warm hospitality. It’s always surprising to me how little a person needs to own to be happy. It doesn’t take luxury possessions to live a good life. One of the most eye-opening moments was in Goa, India. I wanted to wash my hair in the hostel, but I had to keep a bucket under the tap for 6 hours as only drips of water were coming out. This moment alone made the entire trip something special, a life lesson to remember. It showed me the abundance we live in, in the “civilized” world.
Then, in September 2019, I went on a long and intensive trip through Argentina. Starting in the capital, Buenos Aires, I then headed north to see the imposing Iguazu Falls. After that, Salta, in the north of Argentina, was next on the list with its picturesque landscape before I finally went all the way south to Patagonia.
I stood for what seemed like an eternity, rooted in the same place, with multiple emotions flashing within me every second. This magical, majestic place, with its tranquility, and imposing look of the glacier, drove through all my limbs. I will never forget this moment. An indescribably beautiful, fulfilling, and deeply touching experience.
Obviously, since the COVID-19 restrictions, it’s unfortunately no longer possible to move freely internationally. Although it’s been a challenging era, it hasn’t been all bad. I’ve been able to get to know Switzerland’s unique beauties on a much deeper level, with my camera.
"Photography and traveling allow me to see the world and my home country with a whole new set of eyes."
Traveling has changed my life and broadened my horizons, and I wish the same for my children. I want to show my kids, too, that it’s a privilege to grow up in beautiful Switzerland. In many other parts of the world, they don’t have running water, enough food to eat, toys to play with, or even a roof over their head. Without the ability to travel, my kids would not be able to empathize or understand this, and wouldn’t be able to develop an inclusive and diverse perspective on the world. That, to me, is the real importance of visiting other countries.
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