Oliver Maximilian
In 2016, I reached a breaking point. After years of depression, anxiety, and hiding behind a carefully constructed life, I decided to step away from everything I didn’t want — and toward what I truly needed. I sold what little I had, packed my camera, a few clothes, and a few hundred dollars, and began a journey with no fixed end date. My only goal was to reconnect with myself by immersing in unfamiliar cultures, learning through people, and capturing honest moments with my camera.
Traveling through over 30 countries across Europe, Asia, North Africa and Middle East, I lived simply and moved slowly — often staying months in one place to understand its rhythms and people. My camera became my way of seeing, listening, and connecting. I worked exclusively with a 23mm prime lens, forcing myself to step closer, break through fear, and earn the photograph through real interaction rather than distance or zoom. Each image became not just a picture, but a conversation — a reflection of the trust and connection between myself and those I met.
Nearly a decade later, this journey is still ongoing. What began as a personal exploration has evolved into something bigger: a way of living, learning, and documenting the human experience. Photography remains my path, but the essence is deeper — seeking connection, understanding, and moments that remind me of the shared humanity across all borders.
Kulturhybrid
Since 1987
I was born in Berlin to a Polish family and raised in a patchwork of cultures, languages, and perspectives. That foundation shaped everything — my curiosity for people, my empathy, and my belief that connection is the core of meaningful life. Kulturhybrid is the thread that runs through my travels and work: documenting the people, stories, and quiet truths I encounter across the world. From the streets of Tokyo to remote villages in Africa and Europe, I explore what connects us, what makes each culture unique, and how we can understand one another beyond stereotypes and headlines. For me, travel isn’t about ticking places off a list — it’s about slowing down, building relationships, and learning from fleeting yet profound encounters. Kulturhybrid is where those moments live on.
I've been exploring for 0 days
282,322+ Kilometers
My nomadic life since July 2016: Berlin, Shanghai, Xining, Yushu, Shanghai, Berlin, Scharbeutz, Berlin, Amsterdam, Porto, Marrakesh, Essaouira, Marrakesh, Mhamid, Marrakesh, Imlil, Fes, Chefchaouen, Tangier, Lisbon, Berlin, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Mai Châu, Ninh Bình, Tam Coc, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hội An, Nha Trang, Dalat, Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre, Cần Thơ, Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap, Battambang, Bangkok, Kyiv, Bangkok, Battambang, Bangkok, Cologne, Berlin, Bangkok, Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Haputale, Tangalle, Colombo, Galle, Weligama, Colombo, Berlin, Amsterdam, Berlin, Wrocław, Kraków, Warsaw, Berlin, Tokyo, Chiba, Tokyo, Setagaya, Kathmandu, Bandipur, Pokhara, Kathmandu, Chengdu, Tokyo, Chiba, Bangkok, Thailand, Chiang Mai, Battambang, Bangkok, Kolkata, Varanasi, New Delhi, Jaipur, Pushkar, Jaisalmer, Pushkar, New Delhi, Warsaw, Berlin, Krakow, Zakopane, Krakow, Berlin, Cologne, Berlin, Barcelona, Berlin, Cologne, Berlin, Cologne, Berlin, Cologne, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Berlin, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Seoul, Daegu, Gyeongju, Seoul, Busan, Seoul, Sattahip, Bangkok, Sattahip, Berlin, Wrocław, London, Troisdorf, Berlin, Wrocław, Berlin, Scharbeutz, Berlin, Sattahip, Hanoi, Sattahip, Hanoi, Tokyo, Yokohama, Tokyo, Sattahip, Berlin, Bangkok, Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, Alula, Tabuk, Duba, Yanbu, Jeddah, Bangkok, Hà Nội, Tokyo, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Bangkok, Okinawa, Shanghai, Okinawa.