How to Find Your Unique Style – Inside the Moody Photography of Ani Ahoi

If you’ve ever been drawn to moody photography, the kind that feels atmospheric, emotional, and rich with quiet detail, you’re going to love this feature.

We sat down with German nature & macro photographer Ani Ahoi (@linsen.blicke), whose work captures beauty in the often overlooked through minimalism, natural textures, and intentional light. Her moody pictures are intimate and painterly, turning simple moments into dark and moody photography that resonates deeply.

In this behind-the-scenes Q&A, Ani shares her full approach to moody photoshoots, from how she plans her sessions and her favorite photography camera lens setup, to how she achieves her signature dramatic and moody looks, and even how you can turn your photography into a source of income.

Whether you're after your own dramatic photoshoot inspiration or want to refine your visual voice, there’s a lot to learn from Ani!

How did your journey into photography start? Was there a turning point that drew you to nature as your subject, and how did your style evolve into the moody, atmospheric look you create today?

My journey into photography actually began back in 2013 — though back then, I was still in front of the camera as a hobby model.

During that time, I unknowingly started learning a lot about perspective, light, and visual storytelling. I didn’t start actively taking photos myself until the COVID pandemic hit. 

When everything shut down and I could no longer pursue my other creative outlet — hip hop dancing — my mind was craving a new way to express itself. That’s when photography found me.

Can you walk us through your full workflow from start to finish? How do you plan a shoot, what’s your process on location, and what does your editing pipeline look like?

My workflow often starts quite intuitively — but when I head out with a specific intention, like after a rain shower, I usually have something very particular in mind. I love capturing droplets, so you’ll often find me sitting on the ground in front of a few blades of grass, carefully scanning for the most beautiful ones with the best water drops. It’s a very focused, almost meditative process.

Once I’ve captured my shots, I head home and let the results sit for a moment. I’ll go through the images slowly and decide what really speaks to me and what doesn’t quite hit the mark. Sometimes I get a lucky shot right away, and sometimes it takes a few more tries to get there.

After that, I begin sorting — which is a really important step for me. Only when I have a solid selection do I move on to editing.

Your tones have a rich, painterly quality. What’s your general approach to color grading, and how much of your final look comes from editing versus what you capture in-camera? Do you shoot in a specific way to make the editing process easier later on?

I shoot with the final look already in mind. While photographing, I often experiment with brightness, light, and contrast on location to get the mood right in-camera — that way, the editing later is more of a fine-tuning process rather than a major correction.

Color grading plays a key role in shaping the final atmosphere of my images. I’m drawn to rich, painterly tones that feel natural but also carry a certain depth — something slightly dreamy or reminiscent of a memory.

Editing, for me, isn’t about fixing a photo — it’s about enhancing what’s already there. It’s a creative finishing touch that helps bring out the mood I felt in the moment I took the shot.

Many of your photos feature minimalism and negative space. Do you find yourself composing that way naturally, or is it a conscious decision in post?

It varies for me. Sometimes minimalism comes naturally while I’m shooting, when I spontaneously find a clear composition with plenty of negative space.

Other times, it’s a conscious decision during post-processing, depending on the subject and the mood I want to emphasize. So it really depends on the individual image.

What are your go-to tools, camera, lenses, and software, and how do they help you achieve your distinct look?

I mostly use my Sony Alpha 6000, and sometimes the 7 as well. My absolute favorite lens is the SIGMA 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art.

Recently, a good friend gave me the Laowa 65mm, which I also really enjoy using because it offers a completely different scale and perspective.

For software, I prefer Lightroom because it’s super easy to use and intuitive, giving me exactly the tools I need to enhance my photos.

What role does location play in your photography? Do you tend to revisit the same areas, or are you always exploring new ones?  

Of course, I have my favorite spots that I consciously return to again and again. But quite often, I simply go for a walk and see what happens or what catches my eye in terms of subjects. This way, photography stays exciting and varied.

You don’t shy away from shooting in challenging conditions, fog, rain, even deep shade. What’s your approach to handling difficult lighting when you’re out in the field?

That’s actually one of the things I love most about photography – I rarely consider any condition too difficult. Rain or fog, in particular, can create amazing subjects and moods that you don’t often get in bright sunshine.

Of course, things don’t always turn out exactly as you imagine, but you only find that out once you’ve tried. I consciously adjust my exposure and camera settings to capture the unique atmosphere.

When you're in the field, what are you paying most attention to? Light, composition, textures? What’s your mental checklist?

I mainly focus on light and composition. Light gives the scene depth and mood, while a strong composition guides the viewer’s eye.

Textures also play an important role, especially in close-ups. But sometimes it’s just the very first glance at a subject where my mind says, ‘I have to capture this, or I’ll regret it if I don’t. So my mental checklist is flexible and often depends on the moment.

We noticed you sell prints through your Pictrs store. Do you shoot with print in mind when composing a photo, and how do you decide which images are worthy of becoming wall art?

I don’t usually shoot with the intention of printing my photos later. The whole Pictrs thing actually came about quite by chance: a friend asked if they could buy one of my pictures.

Honestly, I never expected anyone would want to hang my images on their walls. So I looked for an easy solution that would take most of the work off my hands, and that’s how I found Pictrs. I just upload my work there, and the rest pretty much happens automatically.

When deciding which photos to offer as prints, I go by gut feeling—the key question I ask myself is: Would I want to see this image hanging on my own wall?

For those thinking about turning their passion for photography into something more, like selling prints or building a side income, what’s been your experience? Any advice on where to start or what actually works?

My advice is to start small and not put too much pressure on yourself. Platforms like Pictrs are a great way to test your first sales. It’s important to develop a clear niche and your own style.

Be patient and maintain a regular presence on social media to build a community that supports your work. Also, don’t expect too much at the beginning — success takes time and consistent effort.

Your work has such a strong, recognizable mood. What advice would you give to beginners in nature or macro photography who are trying to find and shape their own unique style?

The most important thing is that you like the image — no one else has to. Don’t compare yourself to others; everyone starts somewhere. Feel the moment! Does the subject evoke something in you or make you pause? Then photograph it!

My advice is also to experiment a lot, try different techniques and perspectives, and get inspired by others without losing sight of your own path. That’s how a personal style develops over time.

And don’t get too frustrated if something doesn’t work out the first time. Patience is everything — and as probably the most impatient person on this planet, I had to learn that too.

And finally, where can people follow your stunning work and keep up with your newest photos and prints?

The best place to keep up with my work is on Instagram — you’ll find me at @linsen.blicke, where I’m most active and share my latest photos and moments behind the scenes.

If you’re curious about prints, I’ve set up a small shop at www.pictrs.com/linsen-blicke

And, somewhat unexpectedly, I’ve also ended up on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@_linsen.blicke_

Bonus question: Anything you’d like to share about yourself or your work that we didn’t cover?

1. Macro photography has completely changed the way I see the world. It’s trained my eye in ways I never expected — I used to walk right past all the tiny, beautiful details without even noticing them. Now, on a simple walk, I’ll spot tiny droplets catching the light just right, or a single flower that suddenly draws my attention.
2. Even spiders and insects, which I used to find creepy, somehow lost their ‘ick’ factor — through the lens, they almost look… kind of charming.
3. These encounters often spark my curiosity and make me want to look up the species and learn more about the natural world — and I actually enjoy doing it now!
4. That’s what photography is to me: making the quiet beauty around us visible, the kind we so often overlook. I’m incredibly grateful I get to share that with others.
5. Take a closer look — there’s so much beauty out there you might otherwise miss.

Thanks for reading! Ani Ahoi’s journey is a powerful reminder that moody and macro photography isn’t about getting the latest fanciest gear or perfect conditions, but about slowing down, looking closer, and letting the moment guide you. Her dark and moody photos come to life through natural textures, careful light, and a patient, intuitive process.

Through her lens, even the smallest subjects become meaningful. Her work proves that developing a visual voice takes curiosity, not comparison, and that photography can reshape how we see the world, turning overlooked details into quiet, emotional stories.

Massive thank you to Ani for sharing her valuable insights and tips from her photography journey. She’s been sharing her journey with the Woodland Presets community for a while now, and it’s always a pleasure to see her beautiful photography.