Fabio Zingg

He could have been a banker, but he realised at a young age that his path lay in adventure. His passion? The mountains, rugged nature, and the unknown, whether that’s here in Valais or on the other side of the globe. His drive? Curiosity and an open mind.

Fabio Zingg’s entry into the world of photography at the age of 15 via his social media happened the way it did for many others of his generation: thrillingly fast. It came about through the exchange of ideas, hikes and photos with like-minded enthusiasts. The young man explored Switzerland every chance he could, first by himself and then later with members of his WhatsApp group. His photos quickly rose to the top. Before even beginning a career he had to decide: did he want to fulltime job, with set hours, lots of security and no surprises? It didn’t take Fabio long to realize his answer was “no”.

Swiss mountains as muses
By the age of 25, the young man from Zurich was already traveling the world for personal and professional projects. In just six years he accumulated over 333,000 followers, travelled to Bolivia and Greenland, began sharing his passion through workshops, had unforgettable encounters and seems to have already lived 100 lives. All without ever losing his love for Switzerland, which naturally drew him to Valais and the Grisons.

His collective, The Alpinists, unites a dozen photographers and internet friends who are all passionate about the mountains. “It’s an opportunity for us to share our secretes and our photos; to inspire one another and also to inspire others who want to share in our adventures”. Little by little, the idea to publish their collective works took shape, resulting in two books, printed on glossy paper: Lost in the Alps 1 and Lost in the Alps 2, both filled with gorgeous images that will inspire you to dig out your hiking boots. The books were a success and also led to Fabio picking up another new role in the group as the Director of Community Events.

Exploring the soul
“I think the essence of photography lies in capturing the beauty of nature and transmitting that in a way that motivates others”, said Fabio. “Especially in the most desolate and unexplored areas of the planet, like the mountains, where high altitude and changing weather conditions always play a crucial role. I love landscapes illuminated by the rising sun and that feeling of smallness you get when you realize how insignificant mankind is in the context of that unspoilt nature. But it’s not just about beauty. I also love when a photoshoot turns into an expedition. Preferably one that ends up taking you far away from civilization”, he added. Much like his recent Alpine photoshoot for Air Zermatt.

“Zermatt and the Matterhorn both hold special places in my heart”, specified Fabio. “I’ve travelled and worked there often, and yet I always discover new perspectives and atmospheres. I’m really inspired by things like the serenity of an alpine lake in stark contrast with the rough mountain peaks around it. We are so lucky that some of the greatest adventures and most incredible photos happen right here, just outside our front door”, he adds. In fact, one of his favourite photos isn’t even from an exotic, faraway destination. “It was taken in Switzerland, at the end of a day of hiking, when I had the joy of sharing an epic sunset over a sea of clouds with two ibexes. Sometimes the most beautiful moments happen when we least expect them”, he finished, smiling.

Knowing what’s at stake
“I hope I can influence other people to go on an adventure, regardless of whether it’s big or small. I hope I can also help people appreciate nature and encourage them to protect it”, said Fabio. With 333K followers on Instagram, a single photo could have a catastrophic effect on a fragile ecosystem by driving massive crowds to the location, so he is careful about what he shares.

Right now, anything is possible for Fabio. Photo workshops, shoots for Swiss brands, art prints or exhibitions, organizing photography travel trips, and a host of new expeditions are all on the horizon. There is no shortage of potential projects for this budding star. But no matter what he does, we’re sure he’ll explore his curiosity, rack up experiences, meet amazing people, and live at least 100 more lives.

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