Wildlife/Animals nominee

When the going gets tough, we turn to the ones we love and trust the most in our lives. That’s what I immediately thought of when I had the good fortune of witnessing this family of bison brave a thick, early-season Colorado snowstorm.

I had watched the herd for quite a while. At first, these magnificent animals were all dispersed, each minding their own grazing business. But then, something beautiful happened. As the snow started falling ever more violently, individual family members within the herd started to gravitate toward each other. This family moved in really close and tight, to shield each other as much as possible, and to gift warmth where there was cold. It was moving, to say the least, and a story of a shared overcoming by getting closer to and with the ones we love the most, a show of the powerful bonds and strength of family.

What I mean to say by that? Hug your loved ones tight tonight.

I am a fine art nature photographer based in Denver, Colorado. Originally from Germany, I have found a home in the rugged beauty of the American West by following the dusty trails of those hopeful souls before me who the West also lured with its unique promise of exploring beauty and character. That journey of finding “A Sense of Home” is the pulsating heart of my imagery, a homage to living a life of no regrets and the resolute pursuit of our dreams.

Where I grew up in Northern Germany, honesty, sincerity, grit and a down-to-earth mentality are guiding principles. These days, I take those innate traits and turn them into photographic artworks, into reflections of nature and our place within.

People from all walks of life around the world identify with finding that “Sense of Home” and have invested in my unique, timeless and intimate artworks. My award-winning images are being exhibited in galleries worldwide, including in major art hubs like Vienna, Athens and the Greater San Francisco area. They have also appeared in leading photography publications.