Julika

Published On: 2013/12/25

Above everything else, 2013 was the year in which I really got into photography. I still have to learn SO much about it, but I love images more than ever. I feel more comfortable about letting photos tell the story and what I want to say — and maybe, the words don’t even come to me as easily as the ability to spot an aesthetic combination of composition, light, and shapes.

Christmas lights in Germany

In 2013, I really enjoyed doing seasonal photo summaries of my life in Germany. In many ways these photo essays were just random everyday observations, but I cherished how seeing my life through the lens made me more aware of my surroundings.

Christmas lights in Göttingen, Germany

Sometimes I tend to forget that my home country is picture-worthy, because I don’t have to get on a plane to see it. But there has to be a reason Germany is among the Top 10 Most Visited Countries of the World, right? I sometimes just overlook that my country is actually quite pretty and by forcing myself to take my camera for a stroll to find beauty at my doorstep I found a great way to keep myself from only seeing the dull features of my everyday life.

Christmas lights in Kassel, Germany

Christmas in Germany

Christmas lights in Germany

Christmas lights in Cologne, Germany

This season, I wanted to share my newly discovered love for Christmassy Germany, for half-timbered houses with Christmas lights, sweet treats and brightly lit shop fronts — and my personal impression of Christmastime in Germany, from on the road in four different states to my parent’s Christmas tree in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere. Because this is what Christmas in Germany looks and feels like for me.

Christmas lights in Cologne, Germany

Christmas in Germany

Christmas lights in Düsseldorf, Germany

Christmas in Germany

And of course: Merry Christmas to all of you!