Much of what shapes mountaineering — or photography — happens long before the tour begins, long before the shutter is released. In January, when the world outside feels slower and greyer, I find myself moving within a quiet rhythm of preparation, reflection, and unseen work. Yet it is precisely in these moments, below the surface, that the direction of the months ahead is determined.
The natural landscapes at the centre of my work do not reveal themselves easily. They are difficult to access, impossible to control, and at times unforgiving. To approach them, I first have to turn inward. What is my current physical condition? How strong is my mental resilience? How many resources — because yes, the kind of work I pursue demands a significant investment of them — am I able to commit?
These questions are essential. And ultimately, their honest assessment determines not only the success of a project or the quality of the work itself, but also my own health.
Below the surface, there is no applause, no immediate recognition — only the gradual accumulation of insight and awareness. No matter how much passion may carry you forward, this phase is not always easy. But it is always necessary. It is here that I am reminded that the path is invariably longer than the moment that later becomes visible in my work.
This quiet labour shapes far more than one might assume. It gives rise to curatorial ideas, route plans, and time horizons. It demands discipline. Routines. Patience. And while these efforts remain invisible to most, they are, in my view, the foundation of what eventually emerges: images that carry both the weight of preparation and the immediacy of the moment.
The months ahead are therefore months of preparation — below the surface. Some of the images I am working toward now will later find their place in exhibitions and publications. And the training, the planning, and every detail formed during this time will, I hope, resonate within the works still to come.
For now, it is the quiet work below the surface.
But 2026 is planned.
The mountains are waiting. And I am trying to be ready.
