✤ N R . 8 ✤

2025 is slipping away. What a fast year this was for me personally.
Maybe pausing and reflecting for a moment helps me see that it was a fast year because a lot happened.

The world (again) felt loud, unstable, and in parts genuinely frightening this year. Against that backdrop, my own year was marked by one big change: moving from big, bubbly Rotterdam to cozy Kempten, right at the edge of the German Alps. Maybe the best and most important change in a while.

Nature came back into my daily life — mountains, bird song, waterfalls, long walks — and with it a kind of (creative) energy I had been missing more than I realised. My work and my well-being have always been deeply tied to nature, and having that connection back has already started to shape my days and my creating.

So yes: Expect more concepts in nature 🌿

For now, a look at what else this year brought:

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Exhibitions, Talks & Workshops

My year began at PhotoSchweiz in Zürich — part of a group exhibition, invited as a wild card by the curator. I also gave a workshop and led a photowalk there, which set a strong tone for the year.

Later I travelled to Portugal for the Uncover Festival, where I gave a talk on identity alongside speakers like Nkem Agunwa, Dread Scott and Neil Harbisson.

In May I returned to Horizonte Zingst at the Baltic Sea to teach workshops on creativity and one focused specifically on my project Invisible Beauty of Age. It makes me so happy to say that that might have been my favorite workshop ever (and also the one with the most touching and excited feedback from the participants.)

Then came a crazy period of moving to another country. I don’t know how I had forgotten how much time, sweat and bureaucracy is involved in that.
But the massive change of scenery also brought massive joy!

September brought me to Amsterdam for the IBC Show, where I spoke for Viltrox — presenting work made with their lenses and talking not only about my creative process but also about the technical side of the products. Something I used to think would be hard for me turned out to be actually fun. A small but meaningful personal win.

In October, I was invited to the Fotomesse Tirol in Innsbruck, where I led a creativity photowalk for Sony and gave a talk about Invisible Beauty of Age. The response was overwhelming. I cried. The audience cried. The connection was real. One of my favorite moments of the year.

Music Artwork & Personal Projects

Another special moment this year took place in Paris, where I spent time with my sister, opera singer Eva Zalenga. We worked on an intense and beautiful collaboration with a truly special composer — more on that soon.

I also created a new album cover for Eva, and worked on two other music artworks that will only be released in 2026 🤫

Selected Publications

My project Invisible Beauty of Age was featured in Südwind Magazine, which made me genuinely happy — the project continues to find its way to the right audiences.

Mother Magazine included my work alongside a group of inspiring artists who also care deeply about environmental issues.

The Stuttgart Opera featured one of my works for their new production Die schlaue Füchsin.

My series Embodied Lines a collaboration with Jacob Jonas the Company, Port of Antwerp and dancers of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen was featured in the great architecture magazine AIT. 

And my image Recircle was selected as cover artwork for the Italian edition of Heartwood by Amity Gaige — one of those quiet milestones that still mean a lot.

Other Sweet Things

I was a guest on the podcast Great Big Photography World — a fun conversation that sparked a lot of kind feedback.

A selection of my favorite work is now available as fine art prints through YellowKorner.

Without advertising it at all, I ended up hosting quite a few portfolio reviews and 1:1 coachings this year. The feedback was heartwarming, and it made me realise how much I enjoy this kind of focused, personal exchange. I definitely want to expand that in the future. Message me at any time if you would like to know more about how these two formats!

I created 12 new portfolio pieces with and for my Patreon community for our monthly creative prompts. Join us if you need a creative push!

I had the honour of photographing dancers from three international dance companies (Tunisia, France, Costa Rica) during Tanzherbst Kempten.

And one deeply personal moment: being invited to an award event in Munich together with my mom. One of the houses she designed was featured in the Callwey book Häuser des Jahres — with my photographs. That one stays with me.

Don’t be fooled, though. Besides all the amazing opportunities this year also held plenty of obstacles and exhaustion. I’m aware that it takes courage to talk about that openly. Maybe that’s something for another newsletter.

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• My second-ever solo exhibition will take place — in a beautiful chapel! It will be the most vulnerable and honest body of work I’ve shown so far. I’m excited and terrified in equal measure.

• An exciting collaboration with a large NGO is in the works. I can’t share details yet, but it’s one of those projects that feels aligned on every level.

• Three really cool interviews and magazine features are soon to be published — some of the most challenging and interesting conversations of the year.

• And yes: I aim to be more active on Instagram in 2026. I just posted my first reel on my outdoor/travel account and plan to share one artwork per month on my conceptual account.

If you made it all the way down here — thank you.
For reading, for staying, for accompanying my work and my journey in one way or another.

Wishing you — and this big crazy world — a calm(er), kind(er) 2026.

Yours
— Laura

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