biography

The Vision

Through the colonial conquest of air and water, Europe has spread ideas, merchandise, and people across the planet, transforming humanity at a rapid pace. Today, most of the world’s indigenous ethnic groups—more than a third of a billion people—face the same dilemma: they must either adopt an industrialized lifestyle or remain loyal to their traditions, thereby becoming disadvantaged in the modern world.

Although globalization has undeniably improved education, healthcare, and prosperity, joining the modern world often requires indigenous peoples to exchange sustainable livelihoods that harmonize with their ecosystems for new ones that may ultimately destroy them. At the same time, their tribal identities frequently merge into a broader national or even global identity. For many young people, these circumstances present difficult choices: Should they continue as self-taught artisans, such as huntsmen, or pursue education to become clerks? Should they participate in a barter economy or a cash-based one? Should they place their faith in ancestral stories or those broadcast on television and social media? Ultimately, the collective choices of the world’s remaining indigenous peoples will determine whether humanity evolves into an industrial monoculture or finds a way to sustain its diverse traditions.

With the power of visual storytelling and well-researched narratives, I strive to shed light on the extraordinary transitions within Asian culture and society, fostering a deeper and more nuanced understanding.

Biography – Some words about the previous years

Growing up in one of the most enchanting places on earth, surrounded by wholehearted peers and pursuing a noteworthy career, I didn’t really lack a thing—until I realized I was stuck on autopilot, with many cards still unplayed. Though unemployment rates are strikingly low in Switzerland, psychological struggles run disproportionately high. Everyone, whether native to the Helvetic Confederation or having immigrated and secured a place in the fast-paced machinery, fears disrupting the status quo engineered for us by our forefathers. Within just two generations, team Switzerland has ascended through sheer ingenuity to the Olympus of efficiency and social pressure, rivaled only by a handful of other elite societies. Leaving such a homeland is often equated with failure, as we are conditioned to constantly excel, no matter the cost. Since my mid-twenties, I’ve felt an untamable urge to break away from a civic order that, despite its undeniable privileges and high level of comfort, seemed perpetually disconnected from everything beyond its carefully curated oasis. Still, I chose to play along with the Swiss dynamics, if only to gather the funds needed to pry open a different gate. By 2014, I had saved enough to pursue, at least, a temporary liberation from deadlines, obligations, and ever-packed calendars. After half a year of wandering through South America’s breathtaking countryside, I drifted north to the United States. To offset the high cost of lodging, cover the vast distances between destinations, and above all, satisfy my curiosity about the pinnacle of freedom every wannabe nomad seemed to rave about, I dove headfirst into the van life experiment. Wrangling with American bureaucracy, I somehow managed to buy my first-ever owned car: a rusty, roaring van, far from glamorous but functional enough to become both my loyal travel companion and my rolling refuge. Over the course of six months, I circled the country—covering about 35,000 kilometers, nearly the circumference of the Earth at the equator—through deserts, forests, and forgotten towns, tracing invisible loops across the vast American canvas. In Canada, winter found me carving through powder, but before long, I traded snow for swell in Hawaii to soak in the Aloha spirit. With Sakura, the season of cherry blossoms, beginning to weave its annual magic, I returned once again to Japan. This fairytale island nation had first sparked my obsession with Asian cultures in my early adulthood, and I was eager for another dose of getting lost in translation. A brief stop in South Korea fanned the flames of curiosity and pulled me into China’s remote, untamed southwest. My path soon unraveled into India’s vivid chaos, where each day felt like being tossed into a living kaleidoscope. Those two years blurred past, likely due to my pace—a common mishap in the initial stages of vagabondry: trying to cram in as much as possible, still believing the world tour is nothing more than a passing thrill. And then came Nepal. A place where the mountains stretch toward myth and the rhythm of life slows to a breath, at a time when the society I once belonged to felt like nothing more than a distant echo. It was here that my compass began to reset. As the puzzle pieces of my past wanderings clicked into something more personal, a quiet yet seismic realization surfaced: I wasn’t merely taking a break from a world riddled with paradoxes—I was shaping a new one. After another stint in India, I spent four months in newly democratic Myanmar, only to be deported due to an expired visa and the minor infraction of owning an illegal boat. Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia held my attention for another two years, each offering its own rich stories. Feeling adventurous once more, I attempted to cross East Timor on horseback. Eventually, I felt well-traveled enough to take on Papua New Guinea’s untamed hinterland alone. There, I battled a severe bout of malaria, but in return, I collected some of the most extraordinary stories of my life.

When the pandemic struck, I found myself grounded in Siargao, an island that, despite its isolation, became a place of deep connection and resilience. The pandemic and a powerful super typhoon tested both the land and its people, but it also cemented my bond with the community. For the first time in years, I was forced to slow down—and in that stillness, I finally had the time to write an autobiographical adventure book Gestrandet im Paradies and Grand (De)Tour – The Long Way Home about the years I had spent chasing the unknown. It was in this period of reflection that the urgency to document the world’s last remaining nomadic cultures truly took hold. After spending years in motion, I had finally found a home—but I also realized that entire ways of life, built on movement and tradition, were disappearing faster than ever. This realization led me to my latest project, The Last Nomads, where I strive to capture the resilience, beauty, and fading traditions of the world’s last wandering communities. Through multimedial storytelling I hope to shed light on these disappearing ways of life—before they become mere footnotes in history.

Any form of exploration will almost certainly heighten one’s consciousness of the world we share. However, while I enjoy being on the move, I firmly believe that the most amazing journey one can embark on is one of self-discovery and self-creation. Thanks to my personal reinvention, I’ve evolved into the storyteller I always dreamed of being—a restless soul fueled by passion. Now, I have the privilege to dedicate abundant time to personal projects, embark on adventurous journeys, and collaborate with inspiring individuals. From my newly established home on Philippine shores, I’m mapping out new projects. Moreover, I’m happy to consider assignments within Asia.

Let’s talk about our collaboration!

My services

13 years of marketing & sales experience
Freelance photojournalism & multimedia storytelling for media, TV, web TV, and more
Expertise in multimedia story syndication: text, photography, videography
Utilization of PhotoShelter for efficient image management
Specialized in creating unique visual projects
Skills in color, lighting, and composition
Practical knowledge in digital editing, web design, social media, graphics, and print production

References

My work is regularly featured in international and national media, such as…

Don’t hesitate, check my portfolio (click to open)