Introduction
Welcome to Frame Your Journey, a story series on the blog featuring photographers from around the world and the paths that shaped their creative lives.
It is an absolute pleasure to introduce Cristina Marcinschi, a gifted photographer and storyteller based in Berlin. Her work is a beautiful blend of creativity, emotion, and bold expression.
Cristina embodies the spirit of flâneurism, the art of wandering the city with curiosity and intention, observing life as it unfolds, and finding stories hidden in everyday moments. Her photography captures the soul of Berlin, often through fleeting light, quiet streets, and spontaneous encounters.
Having explored Berlin myself, I’ve seen how magical the city becomes at sunset, awash in colors that feel made for artists. Cristina channels that magic with a style uniquely her own.
Many of her striking images are showcased here at Frame Your Journey.
This is her story.
The Story Behind the Photos
Museum Island and its surroundings in Berlin are a true magnet for both locals and tourists during warm summer weekends.
Since sunshine is a rare treat in Berlin, yes, even in summer, the whole area transforms when bathed in golden sunset light. As soon as I had the chance, I rushed there with my camera.
This is what I managed to capture, and it’s always what I aim for with my lens: light, atmosphere, people, and their stories.
Creative Choices
My inspiration, almost always, comes from flâneurism and cinema.
I love to wander the streets, just me, my camera (or sometimes my phone), and the city. I walk, observe, and feel.
That’s why I don’t look for specific spots or chase perfect shots.
My method is to express not how a moment looked, but how it felt. That emotional trace is what I hope comes through in my photos.
About Cristina
I’m a professional portrait photographer based in Berlin. Most of my work was originally studio-based, sterile, controlled, and perfectly staged. At some point, I hit an artistic wall. My work began to feel too polished, too plastic.
By coincidence, I moved to Berlin right around that time. While trying to find my way back creatively, and to get to know my new city, I grabbed my camera and just started walking.
Now, I also take others with me on photo walks, guiding beginners and helping them fall in love with both photography and Berlin.
I’d describe my style as atmospheric, emotional, soft, cinematic, and just a bit nostalgic. I try to do as little post-production as possible. Most of the color grading, softness, and effects are achieved in-camera.
Follow me on Instagram @curly_in_berlin
Equipment Used
Cristina works with both Fujifilm and Sony systems to bring her creative vision to life.
She uses the Fujifilm X-T3 and Sony Alpha 7 III, paired with a versatile range of lenses, from the sharp Fujinon XF 35mm F2 for intimate street scenes to the Sony FE 70–300mm for capturing distant details.
Her toolkit reflects her flâneur style approach, giving her the flexibility to adapt to any moment the city offers.
The Fujifilm X-T3 is a compact mirrorless camera known for its film-like color profiles and fast autofocus, making it a favorite for street and travel photography.
The Sony Alpha 7 III is a full-frame camera that delivers outstanding low-light performance and dynamic range, ideal for portraits and versatile everyday shooting.
Filters and Extras
I use ND filters to control light, black mist and white mist filters for a soft, cinematic feel, and soft diffusion filters to create gentle glow. I also enjoy creative tools like prisms, mirrors, and DIY accessories to add unique effects and textures.
I usually shoot with the widest aperture possible for a soft, intimate, cinematic look.
I love strong direct light softened by filters for that dreamy feel, and golden hour light for its warmth and gentleness. These elements add to the atmosphere I try to create.
Editing Software
I mainly use Adobe Photoshop, a habit from my portrait work.
For street photography, I keep edits minimal: mostly cropping and the occasional vignetting.
Camera
Sony a7 III
Fujifilm XT3
Filters
ND Filters
Prism
DIY Accessories
Lenses
Fujinon XF 16–80mm F4
Fujinon XF 35mm F2
Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2
Sony FE 24–105mm F4
Vario-Tessar T* FE 24–70mm F4
Sony FE 85mm F1.8
Sony FE 70–300mm F4.5–5.6
Editing Software
Adobe Photoshop
Follow Chelsea
You can follow Chelsea Brown and explore more of her photography and creative work through her link hub: https://dott.bio/snappedbychels.
More Stories
Share Your Story
Got a photograph with a story to tell? We’d love to feature your work in our Frame Your Shot series. Whether it’s a moment, a memory, or a message behind your photo, share it with us and inspire our community with your unique perspective.
