Introducing the ten participants of the Young Photographers programme

At international sporting events, photographers are the eyes of the world as they carry out the difficult but rewarding task of capturing the athletes' performances and emotions for all to see. As part of its Young Sports Media Talents project, the Organising Committee of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games is proud to announce ten participants of the “Young Photographers presented by Nikon” Programme.

Participants of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 Young Photographers presented by Nikon programme 

Five international participants 

Five national participants 

“As a partner of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, we are delighted to support the ten young talents from Germany and around the world with the 'Young Photographers' project,” said Julius Zirngibl, Senior Expert Web & Content Marketing at Nikon DACH. “With exclusive camera equipment, workshops, and training sessions led by renowned sports photographer Lukas Schulze, we want to help the participants capture the inspiring moments of the FISU Games next July and take their skills to the next level,” he pursued, after the Nikon team including future mentor Lukas Schulze took an active part in the selection process of the Young Photographers.

Different journeys, but a common passion 

“I am honoured to be selected as a Young Photographer for the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, and I am thrilled to be part of this incredible project,” said Sophia Schempp, expressing her excitement at the new opportunity. 

Isabella Mendes Santana Alves added “I am very honoured and way beyond excited to be joining everyone in Rhine-Ruhr this summer!”, as she will be one of the five international Young Photographers travelling the world to come to Germany in July.  

While each has their own personal journey, the ten photographers however share a common passion that they have developed over many years, as Liz Vivien Höser explained through her own story. “I started taking pictures of my sister at unicycling competitions, which made me fall in love with capturing not just a moment of action, but hope, disappointment, excitement and everything in between.”  

“Sports photography is very visual, especially during team events, and this is what I like about it so much along with providing pictures and happiness to other people,” shared Salomée Michon-Vinçont on her personal passion for this specific field. 

And all of them, including Eugene Goh, are ready for the big dive! “I have had the privilege of covering sports competitions for my university, but this is the chance to take up the challenge of photographing sports on a larger scale,” appreciated the young man from Singapore. 

Learning on both professional and human levels 

Of course, this programme will also be an exciting opportunity for them to encounter other young people with similar interests. “Meeting fellow young photographers who work in the same industry and learning from each other is the aspect that excites me most about this project,” said Anthony Hanc, an enthusiast about both sport and photography since a young age.  

Niklas Härtig, from the German region of Saxony, also highlighted welcoming the whole world home as one of his exciting prospects, calling the programme a “unique opportunity to gain new skills in photojournalism, and experience in an international environment”. 

Henning Rohlfs, also from Germany, eventually summed up the concept by expressing his desire to “authentically capture the dynamics, intensity, and emotions of sports and tell stories while networking with other talented media professionals.

An inspiring mentor Lukas Schulze to help youth zoom into the future 

Schulze’s presence is indeed a great added value for the Young Photographers, not only because of his evident professionalism but also because most of them already look up to him intensely. “The opportunity to learn from industry professionals like Lukas Schulze makes this role especially attractive and valuable for my growth,” said an ambitious Mikuláš Celta.

Their future mentor is also “incredibly excited to support highly motivated young people in sports photography, as [he] knows from [his] own experience how valuable such mentoring projects are.” 

“In 2017, I participated in a similar programme myself,” Schulze continued, “and was able to not only expand my photography skills, but also meet truly great people. Such events also offer the opportunity to significantly enhance one's portfolio while gaining valuable life experience.” 

Preparations are underway for each of the Young Photographers to arrive in the Rhine-Ruhr region. It will be a busy time for them, with many events to photograph and a lot of assignments to complete during the twelve competition days. Reflecting on his thoughts before arriving on site, Leon Tonhäuser summed up the importance of such an event on a professional path. “I know that this experience will take my technical and creative skills to the next level and open up new perspectives for a possible full-time career in sports photography.”

All ten will be able to experience and contribute to this starting 16 July at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games.

Photo: © Lukas Schulze