Burkina Faso, a country in West Africa, is a place of fascinating beauty and cultural diversity. Yet, it is also a nation facing many challenges, from poverty to political unrest. In the midst of this reality, there are organizations like People Without Chains, passionately ("Menschen ohne Ketten") committed to improving the living conditions of the people of Burkina Faso.

As a photographer, I am taking part in a journey with this inspiring organization – and here, I will share my experiences.

Ireland is a land full of magic, history, and breathtaking nature, just waiting to be discovered by you. Imagine wandering through endless, lush meadows, the green so vibrant it feels almost unreal, while the Atlantic wind blows through your hair and the sounds of nature surround you.

Suddenly, the view opens up to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, rising majestically from the roaring ocean – a sight that takes your breath away and lets you feel the raw power of nature.

My journey to Bali, one of the most fascinating islands in Indonesia, had long been a dream of mine. The island is famous for its stunning beaches, impressive temples, lush rice fields, and delicious food – and I wanted to experience and enjoy it all firsthand. I started my trip in Denpasar, Bali’s capital. Coming from Australia, I spent a few days here to relax and recharge before setting out to explore the “Island of the Gods.” In this post, I’ll share my experiences and give you insights into the many facets that make Bali so special.

After arriving in Bali, my journey led me straight to Ubud, a town considered the cultural and artistic heart of the island. There, I visited the famous Monkey Forest Sanctuary, where I was able to watch the monkeys in their natural environment – an experience that was both fascinating and amusing. But Ubud has so much more to offer: from unique art galleries to traditional Balinese theater performances, there is an incredible amount to discover.

From Ubud, I continued to explore the island and gathered countless impressions that I’d like to share with you here. Bali has so much to offer – let me show you what to look out for to make the most of your stay.

The Australian Outback has always been a place of longing for me – and many other adventurers dream, like I do, of heading to the other side of the world. The endless vastness and the unique wildlife and plant life are both a challenge and a fascination at the same time. But before the journey into the Outback began, there were quite a few things to prepare. Careful planning started well ahead of the trip to ensure we could set out for this remote region safely and well-equipped.

In May/June, I set off, meeting friends in Alice Springs before heading out on a discovery tour with a 4WD vehicle.

We didn’t just want to stick to the tracks and explore the Outback on the beaten paths – our goal was also to drive off-road through the desert, whenever weather and routes would allow. Along the way, I’ll gladly share my stories and show you my best photo impressions from this unforgettable journey.

Finally, the time had come – after so much back and forth, rescheduling, replanning, and Covid-related cancellations, I set off on my sabbatical to Thailand. The goal: take a break from work and simply let my soul unwind. I was able to discover the country, its people, nature, food, and the underwater world, and brought countless experiences back home with me.

Thailand is incredibly diverse, offering a mix of adventure, relaxation, tradition, culture – and amazing food. The landscapes will leave you speechless, I promise. Here, you’ll find everything a traveler’s heart could wish for: dramatic cliffs, white sandy beaches, waterfalls, deep jungle, snakes, jellyfish, harmless little sharks, stunning flowers, delicious food, friendly people, temples, peace and quiet – or a wild full moon party on Koh Phangan.

…oh, and did I mention the fantastic food already? 😋

Everything in Thailand is different from Germany – and that’s exactly what feels so good. A foreign culture gives you a new perspective on everyday life and helps you relax. What impressed me most was the calm attitude of the Thai people: paying more attention to the little things and not stressing too much about anything.

This journey was undertaken for the association Kettenmenschen, together with my friend, photographer Roland Marske, as we traveled to Côte d’Ivoire to document the work of the non-profit People Without Chains e.V. The members of this organization care for people with mental illnesses in Africa – an issue that often seems invisible, yet urgently needs to change.

Tens of thousands are cast out. Many are chained, locked away in dark cells, or left to survive as beggars on the streets. They suffer from dementia, schizophrenia, and other mental illnesses. Society fears them. Many believe the sick are possessed by demons and seek to free themselves from them.

It was a powerful and challenging journey, where we often reached our emotional limits due to the human tragedies we encountered. We were accompanied by two board members of the organization: Dr. Eva Sodeik-Zecha, Managing Director of People Without Chains e.V., and Rudolf Hausmann, board member of the association.

The result is a moving visual documentation of the organization’s work, captured in many powerful images.