5Q2 - Yana Wernicke
Yana Wernicke is a German photographer. Her work often revolves around the photographic depiction of animals and humankind’s relationship to nature and other beings. In 2023 she published her book “Companions” with Loose Joints, a portrait of two young women who have established profound relationships with animals and an exploration of the ideas of species loneliness and interspecies relationships. Yana was guest of the FOTOTREFF #43 TALK with Saskia Groneberg on “Images of Nature” in February 2025.
(Photo: Jonas Feige)
You are known for your special kind of photography of and with animals. What motivates you for this topic?
I have always been fascinated by the way animals are portrayed in photography. That’s why I started photographing animals at an early age and wanted to work on a piece that focused on a positive example of the relationship between animals and humans.
How do you develop your photographic approach for your work with this topic?
My photographic approach is largely intuitive and driven by spontaneity. I love being outdoors with my camera, immersing myself in the environment, and observing the natural interactions between animals and people. Since working with animals often requires flexibility, I embrace organic moments to unfold naturally rather than forcing anything.
What special challenges do you face when working with animals?
This ties in with the previous question. Unlike human subjects, animals don’t take direction, so I adapt to their behavior in the moment. Curious animals are often more challenging than shy ones. With a shy animal, I stay still and wait, but a nosy one, overly interested in me or my camera, can be tricky to photograph as they move too close or disrupt the scene.
What other work or artist working on the subject of nature does inspire you?
I find a lot of inspiration in old animal books and encyclopedias. I enjoy exploring how animals were portrayed 50 to 80 years ago and how perspectives on them have evolved over time.
Have you started working on a new project? Any beans to spill?
Right now, I’m working on a project exploring the tradition of men dressing up as elements of nature during various festivities in Germany. I’m fascinated by the transformation process—how individuals become trees, bushes, or other natural figures—and the communal effort behind crafting these elaborate costumes.
Thank you very much, Yana Wernicke!
5Q2 (5 questions to) is a short interview format with photographers, artists and experts that accompanies FOTOTREFF editions and takeovers on Instagram and on this website.
Read all 5Q2 interviews on the FOTOTREFF Berlin “5 questions to” hub.
The interview with Yana Wernicke was released in context of FOTOTREFF #43 “Images of Nature” with Saskia Groneberg and Elena Korowin on February 08, 2025 at Sankt Studio, Berlin.
