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PEOPLE
Ana Santl Andersen
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ana Santl Andersen
EDITOR
Bingyi
Collection

Ana Santl Andersen is a photographer born in Slovenia and currently based in Athens ( Right : Portrait of Ana by Armin Tehrani ). Her work focuses on interiors, architecture, and travel — capturing the subtle interaction between people, spaces, and landscapes with natural light, restrained tones, and a quiet compositional clarity. In her images, the world doesn’t speak loudly — it is observed gently, sincerely, and rhythmically. Her frames are soaked in softness: calm, controlled, yet deeply emotional. In this interview, we follow her gaze through layers of light, domesticity, and the overlapping roles of partner, mother, and artist — to explore how photography becomes a dialogue with life itself.

In our conversation, Ana shared with us that, in her view, photography is not about defining a style or outcome — it is “a way of staying connected to life.” She photographs the shadow on a hillside, the play of light across a dining table, her son’s silhouette in water, and the quiet of an afternoon beside a floor-to-ceiling window. Together, these images sketch out the way she perceives the world. Amid the movement of travel and the rhythm of daily life, Ana maintains a quiet, observant presence — not just as a form of documentation, but as a way of living.

Ana’s connection with photography traces back to her childhood. Back then, she had a simple film camera and would take photos of her classmates during school trips. She recalls her best friend’s mother once saying, “You’re going to be a photographer one day,” — a remark she took to heart.Another field that left a lasting impact on her was furniture and interior design. As a teenager, she often helped in her father’s woodworking shop, painting and sanding wooden furniture. “Interior photography,” she says, “feels like the intersection of these two interests. I’m grateful that the path eventually led me here.”

“Today, I am a photographer, but also a mother, a partner, and a friend.” For Ana, these shifting and overlapping roles have not distanced her from her creative work — on the contrary, they are what give warmth and depth to her visual language.  She now lives in Athens with her partner and child. What began as a short winter stay eventually and unexpectedly became the new center of her life.

“I love the light in Athens, the warm and genuine people, the amazing food, and the hills you can climb when you need a change of perspective.” From Slovenia to Berlin, and now to her current home in Athens, Ana has transformed her sensitivity to space and the everyday into delicate fragments captured on film.

In the story Ana shared with us, she spoke of growing up in a creative family with limited financial means. But her childhood was always filled with love, presence, and a resourceful way of living. “That’s why I never take beautiful things, places, or travel for granted,” she says. “Instead, I often feel a strong urge to document them — to preserve them.”

Ana enjoys walking, traveling, talking with people, savoring food, and being in nature — not as activities separate from photography, but as essential parts that nourish the way she observes the world. “As long as I can quietly observe,” she tells us, “I will always feel the urge to take photographs.”

Ana’s work is often described by others as calm, sensitive, and poetic in atmosphere. But as she tells us, there is a subtle difference between her personal projects and commissioned work — overall, her images tend to lean toward a more intimate and emotional expression. There are also recurring themes she often returns to: light, attention to detail, everyday moments, and a sense of nostalgia.

A large part of Ana’s professional work involves documenting architectural and interior projects, which makes collaboration with designers a crucial part of the process. Designers or architects are often present on set, helping to guide the final composition. It’s a close and dynamic collaboration, and Ana believes that this way of working allows both sides to notice overlooked details — and sometimes even sparks new ideas.

“I enjoy projects with few restrictions and full trust — especially those that allow me to work in natural surroundings,” Ana tells us. She describes herself as someone who relies heavily on intuition, so both the client and the project need to feel right as a whole. With limited time due to her responsibilities as a parent, she’s especially careful in selecting projects that are visually inspiring and also make sense financially.

“Beyond that, mutual trust, no hidden agendas, and aligned expectations are all very important,” Ana adds. She also considers herself lucky to have met people at various stages of her career who saw her potential and were willing to give her opportunities.

Making the most of whatever is available in the moment is the guiding philosophy behind Ana’s work. “I hope my photographs can transport the viewer to another world — even if just for a brief moment — and offer a sense of inner calm.” For Ana, the three core elements of composition are: “Light, composition, and negative space.”“It's often the unfilled areas of a space,” she says, “that hold the most emotion.” When we talked about the character of her work, she added, “The way I frame my images hasn’t really changed — it’s mostly the editing style that has evolved over time.”

“Always keep photographing!” Ana says. She encourages young photographers to stay curious — to assist whenever possible, observe closely on set, and remain fully present. She advises minimizing dependence on social media, truly paying attention to the world around you, and giving yourself room to make mistakes and learn. Also, to learn how to apologize when needed. “Don’t compare yourself to others,” she says，“Find your own way, rather than trying to imitate someone else’s.”

Ana tells us that she’s not someone who makes grand plans for the future — for her, simply arriving at where she is now already fills her with gratitude. Looking ahead, she’s excited about the idea of publishing a photography book with a dear friend, and beyond that, she remains open to whatever surprises may come her way. In both her images and her life, it is perhaps this quiet yet resolute attitude that allows each seemingly calm frame to carry the warmth and depth of real life.

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