Christoph Mantel, an 18-year-old from Hösbach, Germany, often lies motionless in the forest for hours at a time, camouflaged and ready with his camera. The young photographer has developed an extraordinary passion for wildlife photography that began during an unexpected period of boredom six years ago.

The teenager's journey into wildlife photography started during the COVID-19 pandemic when everyday life came to a standstill. "I was bored," Christoph recalls of that time. By chance, he accompanied one of his mother's work colleagues on a photography expedition, and it was there that he discovered his true calling. Initially, he started photographing animals with just his smartphone, but it quickly became clear that this was much more than a casual pastime.

"I've always found animals cute," he explains, "and I wanted to do something that involved both animals and creativity." Since then, he has been venturing out with his camera, sometimes exploring local forests and other times traveling to distant locations during vacations. His dedication to the craft has transformed what began as a simple hobby into a serious pursuit.

Christoph's approach to wildlife photography requires exceptional patience and preparation. He often travels wearing camouflage gear, carefully scouting suitable locations beforehand, and then settles in to wait – sometimes for two or three hours, and occasionally for as long as five hours. "I once waited five hours for a badger – and then didn't get a single good photo," he says with a laugh, demonstrating his ability to maintain a positive attitude despite setbacks.

However, such disappointments don't discourage the young photographer. His perseverance has been rewarded with successful captures of various wildlife species, including foxes, geese, and ibexes. One particularly memorable encounter involved a young fox that provided him with an unforgettable photography experience. "It was three meters in front of me and was playing – still very small and cute," he fondly remembers.

Despite spending long hours alone in the wilderness, Christoph maintains a calm and confident approach to potential dangers. "Apart from a few wild boars with piglets, we don't really have any dangerous animals here," he explains. "I know the warning signs. When an animal snorts or stamps its hooves, I prefer to back away." His knowledge of animal behavior and respect for wildlife boundaries allows him to pursue his passion safely while capturing stunning images of creatures in their natural habitat.