Hello I’m Ingo Hampe, an older guy with a belly and a camera walking through nature.
It took me decades to understand, that my story is not about photography but about a man who spent decades discovering that the simple act of being present changes how we see ourselves, other people, and the world around us. Photography became simply the practice that taught me this lesson.
I’m rooted in the DIY spirit of hardcore punk. It taught me the value of thinking for myself, denying the authority of gatekeepers and being self-reliant. Integrity and autonomy are my core values.
At the same time, I am deeply interested in mental wellbeing. Mindfulness and introspection play an important role in my life. The inner work taught me to face myself honestly, to sit with uncomfortable emotions and observe them without judgment or the urge to change them immediately.
the journey within
I’ve spent much of my life exploring two landscapes at the same time: the world around me and the world within me. Most days you can find me outdoors, taking a mindful walk. Connecting with nature and engaging with it through my senses makes me feel truly alive.
My fascination for Japanese concepts of beauty and living inspired me to put being present at the centre of everything I do in art and life.
Right now, life teaches this lesson: Learning to trust the direct experience.
photography as a way of being
Photography has been a constant companion throughout my life.
In my photography I look for something different than just capturing a moment or creating a beautiful picture. It’s about experiencing life in its entirety.
To photograph has become my zen practice: I quest to let go of myself and empty my mind so that in the moments that matter, the photographer in me dissolves in the act of photographing.
I stop composing, stop evaluating, stop performing as a technician. And in that nothingness, something true passes through – I just have to step aside and let the image find its way.
presence is the mission
What happens when we stop trying to shape life to our plans and vision and fully meet the moment we are in instead?
I aspire to leave a positive impact on someone else’s life by simply being present. My gift is helping people discover their own answers. I want people to experience how the simple yet difficult act of being present transforms their lives.
Maybe you to find some part of yourself in my images. Not the part you curate and show to the world, but the part you want to protect and hide.
