Q: What initially drew you to document these traditional Romanian homes, and how did these profound personal experiences reshape your perspective as a photographer?
I fell in love with Romania during a family holiday in 2024. During that trip, I was struck by the authenticity of the country, the friendliness of the people and the beautiful mountain landscapes: a country that is not yet as polished as my own, with a turbulent history. Sadly, the younger generation is widely seeking opportunities outside Romania, leaving their older relatives behind. One of the biggest challenges that Romania is facing, is offering this generation a future in Romania itself. The Romania countryside will not escape change in the coming decades. The older generation will make way for the next generations, for whom living in traditional houses, often with hardly any modern amenities, will not be obvious. Now is the time to capture these traditionally decorated houses and their inhabitants.
At the beginning of that year, I was also at a crossroads in terms of photography. I was looking for work that would allow me to distinguish myself more and enable me to tell a story. I was looking for more depth, more connection with my work, a desire that grew stronger as I got older. One thing led to another, and after I got in touch with a fantastic Romanian photographer, the plan to set off with him in 2025 took shape.
Documenting the traditional houses and their inhabitants left a deep impression on me and was a profound personal experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. As a photographer, it changed me in the sense that I discovered that this branch of photography appeals to me enormously, and I am looking forward to new future projects, which will also take me back to Romania.
Q: Documenting a culture not your own requires immense sensitivity. Which photographers or ethical principles guided you in portraying your subjects with such dignity and authenticity, and how did you build the trust necessary to create these intimate portraits?
First and foremost, I must note that the Romanian photographer with whom I travelled was indispensable to me. Without his contacts, his integrity, love and pride for his country, his friendship and his relentless efforts to show me his Romania and translate everything for me, this project would not have been possible for me.
In addition, I find it extremely important not to view people as photographic subjects. I do not visit them with the sole intention of leaving with a photograph at any cost. This has never been my primary objective, and occasionally, though not often, I have departed without a photograph, which is perfectly acceptable. I have always appreciated the stories, hospitality, and kindness of the Romanian people and enjoyed my time in the beautiful Romanian landscape nevertheless. Only when I felt that people were willing to be photographed did I take out my camera. It was striking that all the people I photographed often just went about their business undisturbed and completely ignored the camera. Actually, exactly as I wanted.
On my last day in Romania, I spent an entire afternoon on a swing bench with 102-year-old Ioana, the lady on the cover photo of my series, while she hummed old Romanian songs, recited poems from her youth, prayed for me and drank a beer with us. That last afternoon was the most beautiful and moving memory of my entire trip, while my camera intentionally was left in the hotel room; I just wanted to spend my time with her. Being genuinely interested in people and their lives, wanting to understand their culture, even without a photo, has always been my priority.
Q: In your creative process, how do you balance technical mastery with emotional resonance? Do you prioritize one over the other, or seek to harmonize both?
Photographically speaking, I always strive for the highest quality and am fortunate to have reached a level where my camera does what I want it to do and not the other way around. That makes it easier, because I no longer have to think about my settings. At the beginning of their photographic careers, logically many photographers, myself included, rightfully focus primarily on technically perfect photos and it is my belief that you should strive to obtain a technical solid foundation. By knowing my gear and mastering the technical skills I can focus entirely on the emotional resonance (as first and foremost, a photo should evoke emotion) and enables me to quickly benefit from unforeseen opportunities. Nowadays I am fine with some technical imperfections, as they are mostly the outcome of some sacrifices I have to make to get the shot. However, a photograph in which the focus is not on the eye still does not make it through my selection: there are technical aspects to a photograph that, despite everything, simply have to be right for me.
Q: Winning Non-Professional People Photographer of the Year for such a heartfelt project is a significant honor. What does this recognition represent for you?
Although I mainly photograph out of a deep desire, I am touched by the international recognition my series “Inside Romania” has received. Not only is it the crowning glory of my work as a photographer to date, it is also work that I am strongly connected to personally. I am therefore very grateful to the jury members and to the IPA organisation for giving me the confidence and the exposure. I want to use this opportunity as well to express my gratitude towards the lovely, warm Romanian people who so selflessly welcomed me into their homes and allowed me to photograph them.
Q: Based on your journey, what is your most important advice for approaching and photographing people and communities with empathy and integrity?
Always prioritise human contact over a photograph. Immerse yourself in the culture and be genuinely interested. Don’t immediately reach for your camera; wait calmly for the right moment, but be bold! Respect a “no”, but don’t let it discourage you next time. And if you can find a good, honest local photographer whose work appeals to you: see if you can go out with him or her. It makes it much easier, especially if you don’t speak the language.