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| Ashley at her favorite place in Berlin 'Café Lois' in Mitte |
American photographer Ashley Ludäscher made her way across the pond to find inspiration for her photographs by exploring Berlin's neighbourhoods with her camera. "Every neighborhood has such a different story and a unique history, which is one of the many things that now makes Berlin so special."
I first fell in love with Berlin during a visit in the dead of winter in 2007. I was living in Paris at the time, and came to Berlin with a friend who knew the city quite well. I suppose I didn't expect to love the city, especially coming from a classically beautiful city like Paris, but the history, the art, the creative energy pulled me in and I dreamt of calling Berlin home ever since that first snowy visit. Fast forward five years, after spending three years working in the charming Black Forest, I finally made the move to Berlin.
It has been a year and a half since we moved and I feel like we have barely scratched the surface of the city. Size wise, Berlin is massive. After living in cities like San Francisco and Paris which are relatively small, Berlin's size is at times a bit overwhelming. Especially when I realize how much of the city I have yet to explore.
As a photographer, I find Berlin endlessly inspiring, especially when I have a free day to walk around and explore new neighborhoods with my camera in hand. Living somewhere which has seen such immense destruction, growth and change within the last hundred years is fascinating. Berlin has turned me into a giant history nerd. Every neighborhood has such a different story and a unique history, which is one of the many things that now makes Berlin so special. Everyone's experience in the city is so unique depending on where you live and spend your time. There is not just one Berlin, and the city's constant evolution and ever changing population promises the city is never boring. The diverse population, full of creative people, is what makes Berlin so dynamic and unique. I feel so lucky to have a job that allows me to meet and photograph such interesting and inspiring people.
My favorite places in the city are always changing, so it is hard to name just a few, but I will try. Da Baffi in Wedding has the most amazing Italian food, we had such an amazing meal there and I have been dying to go back ever since. Another favorite is 3 Schwestern in Kreuzberg. Their food is delicious and the fact that they love our french bulldog, Hazel, is the icing on the cake. Mogg & Melzer has really good lunch and I love it because it makes me feel like I am back in the states. The coffee and cheesecake at Five Elephant in Kreuzberg is amazing I love to take long walks down Karl Marx Allee for the architecture and history. Tempelhof Field is a gem in the city. Where else can you walk your dog along an airport runway? Insel der Jugend is another favorite place to spend a warm summer day. It feels so removed from the city, but is really only a short Sbahn or bike ride from our house.
Find Ashley's portfolio and blog as a travel & lifestyle photographer on www.chasingheartbeats.com. Based on capturing the things in life that make your heart starts beating, she's also into wedding photography: www.ashleyludaescher.com
