Hey. How are you? How is Cologne, how's life going?
Hi. I'm fine, enjoying this wonderful early autumn with lots of photo events in this beautiful city. "How is Cologne" is a strange question, as I can't say how a whole city is doing 
I have a lot to do at the moment, but it's good.
Your pictures are characterized by vivid colors, strong contrasts, life outside on the streets and life inside buildings. Is photography something you would like to make your life's work? Your profile says you are also a pastor. Tell us more.
Photography is a hobby that I pursue with a lot of passion. I love to find and enhance the colors and structures of the city. Since I photograph 99% exclusively with my smartphone, my photography "happens" more or less on the go . I actually work part-time at an all-day primary school (OGTS). The rest of my time I dedicate to my studies; I want to become an intercultural trainer and also the pastor of a small free church that we have founded. I did church youth work for nine years before we moved to Cologne to open this new church (soulfirekoeln.de), which I help to lead and preach at.
When did you start taking photos? How can you improve your visual skills?
I remember taking photos as a young boy, maybe 8 or 9 years old. My mum gave me a Kodak Disc 4000 and I played around with it for a bit. I developed a real passion with my first smartphone, the iPhone 4 to be precise. I liked Instagram from the start. That was maybe 4 years ago. Of course you need to have a certain basic talent, but if you have that, you can work on developing it further. My advice would be to learn the basic rules of composition etc., look at photography (good and bad) and of course take pictures yourself, in other words: practice. One advantage of the digital age is that you can take hundreds of pictures a day and it doesn't cost you a penny.
Often they just stand there in silence, looking straight into the camera. Who are these people in your pictures?
Well, either it's strangers (#secretstreetportraits) or friends or acquaintances that I ask to pose, because: #tobilikesportraits.
Do you see photography as a creation? Why do you think we should create anything at all?
Yes, photography is creation. The moment you take a photograph or start drawing something, you are creating something. Of course, that in itself says nothing about the quality of the result. But you are expressing yourself, and you are doing it for the sake of creating. I think we must create something because we ourselves are created in God's image. The Jewish creation story (which is also accepted in the Christian faith) shows God creating the universe solely from the abundance that is himself, using rhythm and poetry. This view is in stark contrast to other creation theories of the time, in which the world 'normally' came into being from a divine struggle between various competing divine beings.
You look for symmetrical perspectives, especially in your photographs of subway entrances where people either disappear into or emerge from. What is so beautiful about symmetry?
It's true, I like symmetry. I guess I'm fascinated by creating symmetrical compositions, especially in places where you wouldn't necessarily expect it, like a street scene. I enjoy both the traditional ideas of aesthetics and beauty and their modern deconstruction. It gets really exciting when you create your own personal mix of the two.
What makes you happy? And: Is being happy easy?
Friendship, my wife and daughters, nature and the city, good conversations and discussions, art, photography, good food and good coffee. True happiness is a question of attitude and perspective. One of my favorite authors wrote: "Don't tie your happiness to something you can lose" (CS Lewis). I think that's a wise start to thinking about happiness or being happy.
