Achim Sterna, born in Berlin, found his rather unconventional path into photographic art after a successful career as an entrepreneur. With the transition from analog to digital photography, he discovered the creative possibilities of the new medium and began to develop his own artistic expression autodidactically. This phase marked the beginning of an intensive exploration of visual language, composition, and the question of how emotions and character can be made visible in the animal world.
Today, he focuses on expressive animal portraits characterized by intense colors, deliberate breaks with convention, and his unmistakable style—the Sterna-Art. His subjects depict animals not only as impressive creatures but also as characters with poise, charm, and occasional self-dramatization. Many of his images appear as if the animals have decided, for a moment, to deliver their own version of a portrait. Through a visual language that oscillates between intense observation and creative interpretation, he creates new perspectives on familiar subjects, imbuing them with both emotional and aesthetic depth. Behind every image lies a story. His artistic approach remains deliberately handcrafted, avoids significant use of AI, and combines artistic freedom with an elegant lightness, drawing attention to the need to protect nature and wildlife.
In addition to his photographic work, he is actively involved in promoting humorous and creative nature photography. As a supporter of the international Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, he sponsors the Sterna People's Choice Award, thereby contributing to making nature conservation issues accessible to a broad audience with lightness, wit, and artistic merit.
