Meet My Friends, Vivien
An interview with a friend I met during my trips to Lisbon and Santorini.
Welcome to Meet My Friends, a series of interviews with people I met during my trips, special people who became my friends. I enjoy meeting new people while travelling, so I often volunteer during my trips. I think it is important to meet local people to know more about the culture of the place you visit, and sometimes you meet people with fascinating stories. In these interviews, I want you to know a bit about my friends and their countries, their stories and why they are special to me.
This interview is with Vivien. I met her the first time in Santorini, where I participated in a photographic project organised by Let Me Italian You, and the second time we met in Edinburgh, in another edition of the same project. Vivien is an incredible photographer, I like her style and her candid pictures. She is a genuinely kind and warm-hearted person, always friendly and approachable.
Please meet my friend Vivien, I hope you enjoy this interview.
Please introduce yourself, including where you are from, where you are right now, what you do, and how your typical day goes.
Hi, I’m Vivien!
I’m originally from Germany and currently living in the beautiful city of Hamburg. I work in event management and also pursue my passion as a part-time photographer. My days are usually a mix of organising events, connecting with people, and carving out time to create and capture moments with my camera. No two days are the same, and I love that balance between structure and creativity.
Meeting with my friends and spending time with my dog is also a part of my daily life:)
What does travelling mean to you?
Travelling means the world to me—it's a big part of my life and has truly shaped the person I am today. It gives me a sense of freedom and offers a new perspective on life. Every trip teaches me something new, not just about different cultures, but also about myself.
What is your favourite destination? Why?
That’s such a hard question! I think it really depends on what I'm looking for...I fell in love with Southeast Asia years ago—the energy, culture, and landscapes are just incredible. But South America is still on my list, and I can’t wait to explore it someday.
But if I had to choose one destination, it has to be Thailand:) I used to live there many years ago, and it always makes me feel at home.
How did you start with photography? What does it mean to you?
I started by filming family vacations when I was about 12 and editing the footage myself. That’s really where it all began. Photography became a bigger part of my life around 18 or 19. It helps me see everyday life through different angles, moods, and colours. My camera has been my travel companion on so many solo journeys—it’s helped me process experiences and emotions. It's more than a tool; it feels like a part of me.
You live in Hamburg. Can you tell us about your city? Why should someone visit it?
Hamburg is a beautiful city surrounded by parks, lakes, and rivers. It’s especially stunning in spring and summer. There’s a rich history and an amazing harbour area—particularly the Speicherstadt and the Elbphilharmonie. It’s Germany’s second-largest city and has a different vibe from Berlin. If you’re into nightlife, bars, and good energy, it’s perfect. Plus, the main attractions are easy to explore since they’re quite close together.
We met through the Let Me Italian You project in Santorini and Edinburgh. Why did you participate, and what did you enjoy about it?
I’ve always loved travelling, and doing it in a group like this is a whole different experience. Everyone shares a passion for photography, which makes it so easy to learn from one another. I’ve met amazing people from all over the world through these projects—some of them have become close friends.
What type of photography do you enjoy most? What is your main focus?
I started with macro and landscape photography, experimenting with light and settings. Travelling gave me beautiful scenery to work with and helped me grow. My first Let Me Italian You project in 2018 was a turning point—it was the first time I took portraits of strangers. That experience opened a whole new world for me. Since then, I’ve been focusing more on people and street photography. I love capturing human stories and emotions.
Do you have suggestions for places to visit in Germany, beyond the typical tourist spots?
Absolutely! If you're visiting Germany, I highly recommend Freiburg. It's such a charming city and a great base for exploring beautiful places like the Bodensee, the Black Forest (Schwarzwald), and Heidelberg.
Do you usually travel alone or with someone? Who’s your ideal travel buddy?
I usually travel solo or sometimes with friends. My ideal travel buddy is one of my best friends from school—we’re both into photography and love trying out new things. We travelled through Southeast Asia together and had some of the best times of our lives.
Your next trip is already paid for, where would you go?
I’d go to New Zealand, without a doubt. It’s been on my bucket list for years. I’m in love with the landscapes there and would love to rent a car and just explore it all at my own pace.
If you could be a character in a movie, who would you be? Why?
I’d love to be that adventurous, curious character who’s always open to new experiences. Someone who takes risks and truly lives life to the fullest.
Thank you to Vivien for participating in Meet My Friends. If you like Vivian’s pictures and you want to see more, check her Instagram. If you enjoyed it, please consider subscribing, upgrading to a paid subscription, or buying me a coffee. You can also share it with people you think might like this content.
