Photography Feature: ARNE KURSCHEIDT

Arne Kurscheidt is a 23-year-old hobby wildlife photographer from Cologne, Germany. After a trip with his family to Namibia when he was 15, he fell in love with the country, its people and wildlife.

“My first time in Namibia was in 2015 when I was on holiday with my parents for three weeks. Being 15 at the time, it felt like such a big adventure being so far away from home. During our trip, I was able to spend some time with the local people as well as experience the joys and beauty of being out in the African bush. I immediately fell in love with the country,” Arne says.

Once back in Germany, Arne felt there was a big piece of him missing as if it was left behind in Africa’s southwestern corner. He was adamant about coming back and started making plans to do volunteer work once he graduated from high school. Finishing his schooling in 2018, Arne remained true to the promise made to himself and was soon on a plane heading to Namibia. “I worked as a volunteer from August 2018 to July 2019 on a farm close to Otjiwarongo. The work formed part of an environmental education programme where I learned and simultaneously taught about Namibian wildlife. The various animals and plants fascinated and amazed me.”

Arne visited Namibia again from August to November last year. Apart from seeing friends and travelling, he spent some time helping at a school project, called Tangeni Shilongo Namibia, in Swakopmund’s DRC neighbourhood. He also helped out at the Pangolin Conservation & Research Foundation.

Encouraged by his father, Arne’s interest in photography started from a very young age. “I love capturing moments, especially when it is out in nature,” he says. Arne shoots on a Fujifilm X-T5 and is self-taught in his art.

The images featured are from his last visit to Namibia. Although he takes photos of other subjects, he prefers photographing the natural world. “What I love about wildlife photography is not only to preserve the moments but also to capture the beauty of nature and to share it.”

Follow Arne's Instagram account @a.kurscheidt_photograph to see more of his work.