2025 – A Recap

2025 – A Recap

What a year. A lot has happened in almost every area of my life, but for now, let’s focus on photography. In 2025, I joined the photo group "Blende 11 Saar", participated in two exhibitions, entered several competitions, launched my "NoAI Wall Art" Etsy shop… and purchased an A3 printer which I expect to play a much bigger role in 2026.

Community & Growth: Joining Blende 11 Saar

Undoubtedly, the biggest change in 2025 was joining the photo group Blende 11 Saar. We are a group of passionate and seasoned photographers who come together regularly to discuss our work. Being part of this community has been a huge catalyst for my growth. Honest and sincere criticism is the best thing an ambitious photographer can receive. That's exactly what we do at Blende 11 Saar, and just the thing I was missing before! Thanks a lot to all our members, and especially to Rainer, who invited me to join the group.

Beyond our regular meetings, we also participated in DVF (German Federation for Photography) competitions and organized two exhibitions this year. The first was at the SHG Klinikum Merzig, Germany, a hospital with a long-standing tradition of using art to create a healing atmosphere. The second took place in the town hall of Gersheim, Germany. The exhibitions are always a great opportunity to discuss photography with an interested audience. You would be surprised to hear what people see in your photos and what their emotional interpretation of a scene is.

In the various competitions we entered, I managed to achieve five "acceptances." For a newcomer, I’m quite proud of that. It’s a great start in my book.

NoAI Wall Art: From 20 Sales to Physical Prints

With the launch of my NoAI Wall Art shop, I fulfilled a small dream. Today, twenty more homes have my work hanging on their walls. While twenty sales might not seem like a huge number, it’s a milestone I’m incredibly grateful for. And even though it took nearly a year of bureaucracy, Etsy finally enabled PayPal for the shop, which should make purchases easier!

The name "NoAI Wall Art" is more than just a brand; it’s a promise. In a world where images can now be generated with a few keystrokes, I believe there is an enduring value in the "captured moment". Every photo in my shop represents a place I actually stood, light I actually witnessed, and a story I lived. Animals really look like this – and not just close. Did you know that the European roe deer does not have a tail? Some AIs out there struggle with that fact.

By moving away from digital downloads to printing every piece myself, I’m closing the loop on that authenticity. When you hang one of my prints, you aren't just hanging pixels, you’re hanging a physical piece of craft that I handled, checked, and perfected, from the shutter click to the final package.

Looking Ahead to 2026: Why the Canon A3 Printer Changes Everything

This is where my new Canon A3 printer comes into the picture. In 2026, digital downloads will be a thing of the past. Going forward, I will only sell physical prints.

By handling the printing myself, rather than using something like drop-shipping, I gain full control over exactly how the photos look, the quality of the paper, and how the package is presented and shipped. I’m excited to turn my photography into something you can touch and feel. I'll be posting updates as this transition progresses!