Ruediger Katterwe

A warm summer breeze, squawking seagulls in the sky, sandy paths along the coast, the sound of the sea...

When I see such a picture, my memories bring back the sound of clicking dolphin dancing on the water. I hear the theme song of a movie I loved so much when I was a child: Flipper.

I feel taken back into my childhood. So many pleasant feelings, and no worries at all. Like every Sunday afternoon, when I used to watch Flipper on TV together with my family and immersed into the beautiful life in Florida.

Gerhard Dutschke

My wife and I are so fortunate having two wonderful grandchildren who we can spend time with nearly every single day. This is what keeps me going.

Their light-heartedness, their curiosity, their laughter, and the joy on their faces whenever we meet and hug, all this is a never-ending source of inspiration.

We explore the world together - from "A" like apple to "Z" like zebra. My grandchildren remind me of my own childhood and help me see the world with different eyes.

However, I also think about the future. Trying to think about values which are worth being shared, about things in life that really matter. They also teach me to be grateful for what I have, and that happiness very often does not depend on material things you can pay for.

Bernhard Brause

So many times I found myself parallized. Unable to move, unable to speak, even unable to think. Why? Just because I was afraid. Afraid of being rejected, afraid of being laughed at, afraid of failing.

No turning point in sight. Until one day, I found a small, yet very robust seed - a vision I was destined to turn into reality. Over time, the seed produced shoots, the first tiny leaves appeared, and suddenly I could see the finishing line waiting for me.

To keep this fragile little project growing, I gave it a name. The project from then on carried the name "Friends and Strangers". In the end, it would turn into a book. A book full of pictures telling the stories of friends and strangers.

To do this, I had to build up courage. Creativity draws its power from courage, overcoming the fear that holds you back. This is why this picture is so important to me. With this picture, I was brave. For the first time, actually. Because I took the courage to ask this man, if I could take a picture of him. A stranger.

This picture was the starting point for my project "Friends And Strangers". The fragile plant is still growing, and it still has very few leaves, but I am confidently looking ahead at a time when this book will grow into something extraordinary.

Marita Klaaßen

Faith - Love - Hope

I have never given up hope. That’s what my story is all about. My son Philipp was born in 1996 – six weeks early. Doctors said that something was wrong with his head and that he would be born with severe deficiencies. Numerous check ups were conducted. The final conclusion: “Well, let’s see – maybe he will have a hole in his heart, maybe club feet, maybe crowing hands.” My world was shattered.

The big day finally arrived. I was rushed to hospital. By now, I knew, that my son would be suffering from a hydrocephalus. Giving birth took forever, until the doctors decided to give me medication which accelerated the process. Finally, after a few more hours, Philipp was born.

5 minutes. This is the time I was allowed to spend with him, before he was taken to the premature baby unit. I spent hours all alone in the room, crying the entire time. When the two of us were released from hospital and returned home, Philipp was screaming day and night. And I was at my limits. Again and again, check ups were conducted. All saying, that more and more water was building up in his head. I was terrified.

It was time for the first surgery. At that time, my little Philipp was only three months old. The doctors put a little hole into his brain, so that the excessive water could run off. Why? Because a cerebral hemorrhage was blocking the area where the water typically would run off. A horrible time at the hospital. On Philipp's first birthday, the surgery had to be repeated.

But then, everything seemed to be back to normal. We were all happy, even though Philipp was a little bit retarded in his development. Despite all these problems, Philipp was a bright boy who brought joy to everybody. And we celebrated even the tiniest progress he made.

However, at the age of 5, Philipp was diagnosed with a severe form of epilepsy. We spent more time in hospital than at home. In the meantime, I also was a single mother of a little daughter. Many drugs Philipp had to take only worked initially, several other drugs he was allergic to. He had cramps basically all the time, leaving me no time to rest. I had to be ready and attentive every single second.

At school, nothing worked as planned. According to the teachers. I repeatedly told them that Philipp needed time. I put all my hopes in him, since I knew what he was capable of doing - I was his mother!

At the age of 14 we came to know of a new drug which was only allowed to be given to adults. However, it worked for Philipp! No more cramps since then! After finishing primary school he was treated and educated like a mentally handicapped child, since apparently, he hadn't learned anything before. Nobody believed in him. Only me. I loved, I prayed, that everything would turn out fine in the end.

He attended an integrative class, but even there, nobody was interested in what I had to say about Philipp. He talked less and less, simply because the only thing Philipp heard was: "You can not do this". The things he loved to learn were not offered in class. After 9th grade we were faced with the big question: "What now?"

The suggestion was to put him in a school for mentally handicapped children. These are a few things that you learn when attending such a school: Swimming, archery, sports. Subjects like mathematics or languages are out of scope. Not a good idea. Such a school would have left both Philipp and myself shattered.

Not far away from where we lived, there was a school for children with learning difficulties. A much better choice. Philipp got a very cooperative teacher who believed in his abilities and supported him until he finished school. In addition, Philipp had the opportunity to do an internship with an electrician.

Philipp was dreaming of starting an apprenticeship after school to become an electrician. Such an apprenticeship is being offered at special boarding schools. However, this is only possible, if you successfully pass an extra exam. So, Philipp attended the school for three more years, wrote an almost infinite number of exams, and finally, he passed!

This year, in September, Philipp will be joining the boarding school, pursuing his dream. I was moved to tears when he received his leaving certificate. I could not be more proud of my son. For 22 years, I believed in him, and everything he accomplished, he accomplished with only one cerebral hemisphere.

Dirk Oehlschlaeger

How many times did you leave home with a very specific picture in mind you wanted to take? So many times it simply does not work out as planned, no matter how much you prepare or how much you plan. Nature simply has different plans.

I got up early that day to visit the Harz national park. The plan was to get an epic picture of the Brocken mountain at sunrise. Arriving in time at my destination, reality and expectations were lightyears apart. The sky was cloudy. So, I took a picture I did not plan to take and headed back home, feeling disappointed.

However, intuitively, I chose a different route when leaving the national park. And suddenly, nature changed its mind. Wonderful reflections and some fog appeared on the water. Better than nothing, I said, and unpacked my equipment, getting ready for the shot. At that moment, the sun broke through the clouds, giving me a much better picture than I hoped for initially.

I was so happy being able to experience this precious moment, which wasn't the result of proper planning and preparation. It was based on intuition and the capability to be completely aware of every single moment.

Patricia Husarek-Stein

This picture of "my path" was taken right after the funeral of my best friend. I added her photo so that you can understand the story better.

Some people want to be around others after such a depressing event. They feel better when they can share their sorrow and talk with others. This helps them to cope with the painful situation. However, this is not my way.

I wanted to stay by myself. At that moment, loneliness was my best friend. I wanted to think, mourn, cry - and nobody should see me doing this. Maybe I just wanted to find a place in the woods to scream, to get rid of my pain. This is when I remembered this special moment I am now sharing with you. Only then I realized how special it really was.

My friend never wanted somebody to take a picture of her, simply because in her mind she did not feel pretty enough. "What is pretty? Who defines, what is pretty? Why only take picture of people who are dressed up and know how to move in front of the camera? You are pretty! You are a special human being. Your big heart lets your inner beauty shine." Whatever I tried, I could not persuade her.

One day we were sitting on the terrace together. My friend seemed a little sad or buried in thoughts. Her head was resting on her hand and she looked at me, with a gentle smile. I took my smartphone out and told her: "Don't move, this is going to be a wonderful picture". And it was.

I was happy to finally get a nice picture of my friend, not knowing, that this would be the last picture of her. When she looked at the photo her eyes were shining and according to her, she never looked better. A truly touching moment for both of us.

Just two months later my friend was diagnosed with cancer. She died after 2 painful years at the age of 53.

Her daughter asked me for a picture of her, because she only had very old ones showing her mother when she was very young. I sent her the picture I had taken of my friend. At the funeral, I was sitting in the front row felt thunderstruck when I found myself looking at the very same picture which was put up on display there.

I was devastated and proud at the same time. Devastated because of my loss, proud to be able to provide the family with the last picture of their mother. A picture showing how I saw her, and what a person she truly was. I will never forget this picture. This is how I will keep her in mind.

Every moment counts. Especially since its true meaning or its importance often reveals itself only at a later point in time. Every moment is as beautiful as you see it and as unique as you feel it. Every person is as important as you carry them in your heart.

I want to thank my friend for this wonderful moment. Never forget: Every moment counts!

Gilbert Bahn-Koepke

Since 1970 I enjoy photography and playing music. For almost 50 years! What I also love is Siggen, a small village in Schleswig-Holstein. I know, this is not typical for someone from Hamburg like me.

I am planning to move to Siggen as soon as I retire, which is when I will have plenty of time to enjoy fields of rape in full flower and the wonderful Baltic coast.

This picture touches me as it mirrors the way my life went. Without my two passions I would never have been able to meet such wonderful people who I call friends today. Even my relationships were sparked by photography or music. Every time when I was facing difficult or sad moments in my life, be it the loss of a friend or challenges at work, my passions showed me a way out.

Who knows what would have happened to me without my passions? I am pretty sure I would have turned into a miserable person. Instead, I can now say, that I am very happy about my past, my present, and I am confidently looking into the future.

I love my life, all my musical instruments, my photos, and the Celtic Cowboys, my band in Hamburg. Thank you. On we go!

Axel Balthasar

Slowly I am opening my eyes. Everything is still blurry. I'm stretching and lifting my head from the pillow which was a beautiful young woman just seconds before. After I sit up I remain on the edge of the bed for a little while. Piece by piece the room around me comes into sight. When looking into the mirror, I can see an old, ugly, fat man.

Is this me? Horrible. The poor lady. Oh well, it was just a dream anyway.

Now the usual: shaving, taking a shower, preparing breakfast. At least the weather looks promising. I guess I will be having breakfast on the balcony.

Spring was not fully capable of chasing winter away. It was raining the last days and it is chilly outside. However, trees are starting to bloom.

I pack my photo bag and plan to capture springtime in Berlin today. "Spring" is such a beautiful word, unlike its German translation "Fruehling". What a pity. My smartphone tells me the train I usually take is not in service today, so I am heading to another train station.

Surprise surprise! The train stops at a different station and I have to take the bus. But no! This time, I'm walking. I enjoy seeing how the sun reflects in the various windows along the street.

I take out my camera...

Caroline Sattler

It all started with a phone call and the question "Are you joining us?" At that time I did not know what my "Yes" would change. Change in terms of feelings and thoughts.

It was a cold day in January, when we drove off at 7 a.m. Not my time, not my month. I was freezing, feeling tense and insecure. And I was blaming myself for agreeing to quickly. Why on earth did I say "Yes" without thinking of the consequences? Why do I always engage in such nonsense?

As her husband was driving my friend turned to me. She obviously felt the same way. After arriving at our destination we had to wait in the cold. I cannot remember the other participants, but I remember the other car driving by and stopping in front of the gate.

This is where I met Tanja Askani for the first time. Nothing she said, nothing she explained, prepared me for what was about to happen. That day, I met the "Phantastic Three". For the first time in my life I had the opportunity to pet a wolf, to look into its eyes, and to feel its warmth. All my knowledge, my memories, my experiences, my abilities, and my successes became irrelevant. Nothing mattered except the presence of three white wolfes in whose corral I was sitting. As a guest. All the anxiety, every thought disappeared. I was a guest, just a guest in this world, nothing else.

More visits and more encounters followed. Even together with my children. Every encounter was a present, leaving me energized and strengthened, but that one day in January, they touched my roots, my heart, and my soul.

Thank you, Naaja, Noran, and Nanuk – unforgettable.

Erika du Chatenier

I know, this photo is not perfect, but what does "perfect" mean, anyway? Crisp, sharp, the foreground matching the background, correct exposure, no noise? That's what is considered "perfect"?

In my mind a perfect picture makes me smile. A perfect picture makes my friends and myself "see" and "think" the same things.

I was sitting at home, playing with my camera, taking pictures randomly. Later, when looking at the pictures, I immediately knew, that one of them special. Not a perfect shot, but somehow touching.

This special picture shows my husband and our dog Happy. I love the level of intimacy it portrays. I see tranquility, attentiveness, and affection. There is only one title that meets this photo: "My beloved ones".

Yvonne Roßkopf

In the end, everything will be fine. And, if this is not the case, it's not the end.

This saying perfectly characterizes the last 4-5 years of my life. Challenging years, which taught me a lot regarding my role as a mother of a daughter.

Puberty is a complicated period of time, when everything is being turned upside down. It was especially hard in our case, since my daughter was still suffering from the previous breakup of her parents. Skipping school was just a minor incident compared to other things which happened. However, without the support of a father, we could not even resolve these "minor" problems.

Filing a missing person's report, a self-injuring behavior, days and weeks, when we did not know where our child is and how she was doing - all of that happened multiple times! The youth welfare office had to take action and help us, but this did not lead to a profound change. At that time, her father had already lost all his hopes in his daughter. And the avalanche of problems brought me to my limits. Sometimes, during sleepless nights, not knowing where my child was, I was close to giving up. No mother should experience something like this. But giving up was not an option, regardless how bad I felt.

Roughly 2 years ago, when she turned 17, the situation changed. Slowly, but surely. At that time, my daughter was staying at her own apartment at her grandparent's house. And she adopted a dog. This little pet was able to succeed where we had failed over and over again, regardless of how much effort we had put into it: bringing our family back into balance. The fact, that despite all the problems my daughter and I never lost contact, helped to establish an even stronger bond between us.

This photo was taken in May 2017, during a spontaneous tour to a local waterfall. In the past, such a situation like you see here would have been far from reality, but today, it happens often. When I look at this picture, seeing how much fun my daughter is having, I can start forgetting the past. In the end, not giving up despite all the problems was the perfect decision.

Letting go and keeping faith in others is what I learned from these hard times. My daughter is living her life, not mine, not the version I expected her to live. However, she is happy and that's what matters most.

Gerd Mildner

Nothing special, just a short walk in the evening. Nothing spectacular, just going to the field behind our home. Taking the camera with me, without a big plan of taking a lot of pictures.

I started walking. Away from houses next door, away from other people, away from the traffic noise. But not too far away so that I would get exhausted. I had finished work late that day.

But then, while enjoying the light, the smell, the atmosphere in the field, the photographer inside me woke up, eager to capture the moment. This is what I love the most about photography: Translating the feelings I have into a picture that resonates with others.

Uta Schmitz-Esser

October, 2012. It was my job to create a photographic report about a group of contractors from Africa who were on a search for used construction machines. I accompanied them on their visits to local vendors and took pictures of them testing shortlisted machines.

One of our stops there was a tiny village in Belgium, basically in the middle of nowhere. The group was sitting in an office to negotiate a contract while I was waiting outside. It was raining cats and dogs. The bus was locked, so I grabbed my umbrella and went for a short walk.

At the far end of the property there was a scrap yard. Once shiny high tech, it was now left to be absorbed by nature. However, while I was admiring how many different shades of red and orange rust could have, I discovered the word "ART". Like if someone just read my mind. A little leaf, carried here by the wind, was able to turn trash into art.

Isn't this ironic? But acutally, it is so very true. If you just pay attention, you can see beauty everywhere, even when walking through a scrap yard. It requires practice, but you see, think,and feel different, which pays off when you are facing hard times.

Pitua Sutanto

I'll be right back!

That's what I told my wife when I looked outside the window during our dinner at a hostel on the Iriomote island in Japan.

I believe, many photographers' partners know such statements. Especially when being on vacation. Happens far too often. Wonderful light, everybody is having a good time, an inspiring view - and all over sudden your mind begins to take pictures. This is how it starts.

Moments like these aren't always easy for couples, and sometimes they are the cause of conflicts. However, at the same time, they open the door to lasting experiences which others can be part of as well - just like the beautiful sunset you are looking at now.

I took the picture. When I returned, our dinner was already lukewarm. I showed my picture to the other guests. Moments later, my wife and I were the only guests in the room, since everybody else wanted to experience the same spectacular sunset.

In the end, the dinner turned out to be wonderful. We had long and entertaining conversations with the other Japanese guests - without us knowing Japanese and them knowing English. Simply because we used photography (and translation apps on the smartphone) to remove the language barrier. That evening, my Kirin beer tasted better than ever.

Benjamin Mueller-Suiter

The two most important things in my life are my family and my friends.

This picture shows me and my best friend. That alone makes it a great picture :-) The person missing on this picture is my wife. Thanks to her patience during my photo trips I have the time to get better and better at photography. We have some much time, when the three of us are together, even when we make fun of each other - just like that day.

We visited an automobile trade fair. I was desperate because of the many visitors who ruined every picture I took. Nevertheless, in the end it was a great day, simply because the other two were in a good mood, which made me feel good as well. My wife took the camera and let me have a little Espresso to relax with my best friend. That's the moment I am associating with this picture.

Manuel Doczat

In the last couple of years, I often spent my vacation days along the Baltic coast, enjoying various bike tours and taking lots of pictures. During that time I felt the desire to visit a small town which I have never been to since I was a little child: Puttgarden on the Fehmarn island.

That time, my parents were big Scandinavia fans. This is where we spent the summer when I was a child. Our vacation typically started in Puttgarden, where my parents, and my little brother boarded the ferry to Denmark.

In my memories this place looks huge. Big ships, a large harbour, and long, squeeking freight trains, which vanished inside the ferry. Every time we arrived at the ferry, we were worried that our fully packed car would not be able to drive up the steep ramp into the ship.

Last summer, I finally decided to visit Puttgarden again. I started in Heiligenhafen and took a bike tour passing many scenic spots and sandy beaches along the island's east coast. At first glance, when arriving in Puttgarden, I was disappointed. My memories looked so very different from today's reality. Now, 40 years later, ships do not appear that big, the harbour looks unspectacular, and the old freight depot is gone.

A little later, I sat at the pier, watching the ships drive by, thinking about the past. Past vacations with my parents. And I was happy to be in Puttgarden again after such a long time.

Anke Grau

Seeing the world with different eyes. Paying attention to the little things gets you to understand the greater good.

In my mind, you do not need to travel far. Many fascinating things can already be discovered on your own doorstep. If we take the time, if we take a closer look, we can see things that are hidden from plain sight.

Take this young bee, for example. It is sosmall, that you can hardly see it with your bare eyes. This is what I love about macro photography. It's a little bit like philosophy described above, and it is also the opposite to the fast-paced world we all live in.

Dirk Isakeit

Defying fate

This picture shows what's important in my life. My family! I met my wife Angela 22 years ago. After 10 years of being together we came to the conclusion that this should be forever. So we got married. We had a dream wedding, followed by a wonderful honeymoon to the Carribean.

2008, my wife gave birth to our little Marvin. We could not have been happier. But it all changed just a few days after Marvin's birth, when the doctors detected a severe heart defect, which could not be cured. We were devastated. Marvin had to undergo several surgeries to stay alive, which he mastered perfectly.

But life had a different plan prepared for Marvin. At the age of only 2 years and 10 months, Marvin lost his courageous battle and passed away. How should life go on after such a heavy blow? How should we ever become a happy family again?

One day, despite all horrible memories, we decided to have kids again. Our little sunshine Vanessa was born in November, 2013. Without any complications. Three years later Vanessa got a little sister called Sarah.

Since then we are greatful. Every single day. Greatful to have two wonderful and healthy kids. Together we can enjoy life, hour by hour. Your health and your family, that's what matters in life. This is why pictures like this one mean everything to me!

Annette Schneider

This is Pepper, my little hero, who speaks all day. I cannot tell you, how much I would like to be Dr. Dolittle in such a moment.

You joined our family and your striped friend Tiger on New Years Eve in 2017. In my case, it was love at first sight. The same is true for you and Tiger, which sometimes even makes you jump on his head.

You needed some time to get accustomed to your new environment, especially since you had made so many bad experiences before. You had been abandoned on the street. And I found you on the homepage of our local animal shelter. Big ears, beautiful eyes - I could not resist, my little "bat".

I was so proud when you started trusting me after two weeks. You stopped hiding and running away. Instead, you poked me with your paw, asking me to pet you. I remember when you curled up on the sofa right next to me for the first time. I did not dare to get up. Today, this happens basically every day.

You are little, but you have a big heart. The little scaredy-cat turned into a courageous skillful hunter. I pray that we have a long journey ahead of us together.

Oliver Hey

This bridge reminds me of my childhood. There was a football pitch behind the trees, which unfortunately does not exist anymore today.

We spent so much time there. Everything in life was easy and effortless. Playing with other kinds you did not know? No problem at all. You just walked up to them and asked. Worked in almost all cases. And we had so much fun together. I still enjoy looking back at that time.

Being so carefree pretty much disappeared over the years. It is rare and far more precious than in the past, especially since it reflects a healthy mental balance. Those days, it was the result of a protected childhood, while in reality it is competing with a wild and dynamic reality. Today more than ever.

This is why to me this bridge symbolizes a peaceful place in nature. It is something more and more people today long for. An opportunity to just let go and relax.

Thomas Stroebel

One of my biggest experiences in life was my trip to New York. Every day I could bathe in a sea of new impressions. It's fair to say that I even felt a little bit overwhelmed. I know, most of the things looked familiar, because I had seen pictures on the internet before because I had read travel blogs. However, being there in person, seeing it with your own eyes, and experiencing it live made everything so much bigger and so much more intense.

This picture showing the streets of New York from above is still one of my favourites. I was standing at the top of the Empire State Building. In front of me there was this incredible maze with millions of lights, sounds, and movements. What looks like a big machine from above, in reality is a gigantic melting pot - full of different cultures, languages, and life. Something you never forget, when you see it as a whole.

Ruediger Zappe

Everyone knows, what he or she was doing when they came to know about the attack of the World Trade Center on 9/11. Everybody knows the pictures on TV. Collapsing towers, brave firemen, people falling to death, and smoke floating through the streets of New York.

What a horrible tragedy. But people soon returned to their daily routines, which helped them to repress saddening memories.

This year I visited the city, that "never sleeps", with Pavel Kaplun, Miho Birimisa, and many other photographers. We had a packed agenda and stopped at all major attractions - the 9/11 memorial being one of them. Today, two big basins with waterfalls represent the locations where the former towers stood. The names of the 2,983 victims of the terrorist attack are engraved into the basins' border.

When I came to this site, I immediately remembered the horrible scenery. I cannot imagine how others must feel who have lost a relative or a friend in this tragedy. This red rose I saw at the memorial to me has a very special meaning to me. It reminds me of the necessity to keep memories alive, so that we do not forget important people who are no longer with us.

„You will never be forgotten“

Jutta Bratsche

What do you see? A pier in New York. Cars are passing by and vanishing in the dark. Billboards tell you what's important. Far away in the background you can see Times Square.

What is hidden? It's a man. A woman, leaning on his shoulder. A camera is lying on a steel beam of a cruise ship. Click! The long exposure shot is done. The picture is taken. And the man is smiling. Obviously he likes the result he sees on the camera display screen. Happiness - mixed with the sights and sounds of New York.

This feeling is part of his life. Since 2006, actually. Since 2006, the woman of his dreams is leaning on his shoulders. On the sofa, during shopping tours, and on the cruise ship they booked for their honeymoon in 2016. Soon there will be another, much smaller, and much younger head, leaning on his and her shoulders. There will be three to them, then. The journey did not end in New York, and it has not ended with this picture.

Life goes on, just like in New York. Sometimes louder, sometimes more silent. Sometimes quicker, sometimes slower. There will be hectic times on Times Square, but there will also be quite times in a café under the Brooklyn Bridge. No matter the challenge, the two will be able to master it. Together. Hand in hand. Step by step. Moment by moment.

Ruth Stickeler

Sometimes you do not need a special reason to take a picture. Sometimes it is just obvious, just common sense. I am so grateful that I could experience and capture this precious moment.

Initially, the two monkeys did not trust me, but as time went by, the situation got more and more relaxed, until finally I pressed the shutter.

This might not be the best photo ever taken, technically, and I am just a hobby photographer, but this picture is touching. It reminds me of all the precious moments I had with my two boys when they were young. At such moments, you live in a separate world, a parallel universe, blocking everything that does not belong there. This is what I feel every time I look at this picture and the intimacy it conveys.