ORDER NOW! 💦 Not gonna lie, guys, I’m pretty excited to present the first preview of my very first photo book, which, after a year in the making, is finally ready to see the light of day.
“This is Zürich!” is a tribute to the clubs, venues, collectives, and individuals who come together to create a diverse, inclusive and undeniably energetic ecosystem within the city.
It is dedicated to those who celebrate their bodies, sexualities, and identities, or simply embrace life, despite the absurdity that surrounds us
My deepest gratitude to everyone who supported me in making this project a reality (a special thanks to @nicolasschaltegger ) and to all of you who trusted me with using your pictures on the pages of the book. Shoutout to those who were so involved and helped me find (almost) all the people I was looking for—the power of this Instagram community is insane.
Unfortunately, not all the pictures that I wanted to include made it into the book but who knows when the next one will come…
Pre-order now to secure your copy.
A limited number of copies will be available at a lower price for community members who are low on funds. — reach out to me for pricing details and a personalised voucher code to get the discount <3
Official book released in December and available at selected bookshops, concept stores, and online.
Launch events coming up as well - trying to organise some cute times for us.
My therapist once told me (yes, it starts like that) that the saddest thing she’s encountered in her career is people who know they are dying and still die with regret.
A few years fast-forward, and that thought is still with me. It settled in and now gives me direction.
No desire unexplored. No connection left unchecked. No holding back from what I’m excited about.
No choosing later over now.
And now, I enjoy this too much 🤌🏼
Berlin, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Zurich, Athens, Sofia, Cartagena, 2025
Featured Post #55
Featured Artist: @thepowershit
Camera: Olympus Mju-II
Film: Kodak Portra 400 and 800
Tell me about your work.
and what is one of your favourit film camera?
Hellooo, my name is Vasil Shterev. I first got into photography by capturing people in the nightlife scene. I’ve always been a curious person, and I’ve found it fascinating how nightlife becomes a space where people push their own boundaries or simply unwind and detach from their everyday lives… Almost like stepping into a parallel reality for a night.
I love using the super-hyped Olympus Mju-II because it’s discreet, pocket-sized, and has a very short focal distance, which is perfect for the close-ups I like to take. Paired with Kodak Portra 400 and flash, it produces beautifully smooth skin tones.
Last year, I published my first photography book, “This is Zurich”, shot entirely with the Olympus Mju Zoom and the Mju-II. It focuses on the city’s queer and electronic nightlife and challenges the common perception of Zurich (and Switzerland as a whole) as being boring. Shooting on film allowed me to capture a raw, unfiltered view of the scene, which I think made it feel more relatable and authentic to the public.
Currently I’m working on a few completely different projects, but still I’m still exploring the topic of celebrations and togetherness as I find it really fascinating.
