Achim Köpf - born in 1968 in Germany, resident of Schwäbisch Hall, Germany, married.

Philosophy:
My driving force is my love of travel, nature and photography.
Each interest complements the others. Through photography, I have learnt to„ see“, to observe intensively. I always find this fascinating. I see myself not only as as a photographer depicting real life through the camera lens, but also as someone primarily seeking an artistic approach to photography.

Photography:
• 1980: Initial interest in photography.
• From 1989 onwards: Self-directed study of photography, experimental photography.
• Since 1992: Freelancer with the Haller Tagblatt (Halle daily paper) in the sport and local news section as photographer, reporter, special feature editor.
• Numerous freelance graphic presentations, commissioned photographic work.
• Numerous photographs printed in magazines, illustrated books and calendars published by the Gong Verlag in Munich, the Sonnenverlag in Baden Baden, the Sieglers Symposium Verlag in Stuttgart, by Agfa-Gevaert, Schwäbisch Hall Bausparkasse, the Diakoniewerk in Schwäbisch Hall, Globetrotter Ausrüstungen in Hamburg, the Ärzte Zeitung Verlags GmbH (medical journal) in Neu-Isenburg, GEO-Saison (Grunder & Jahr), 16 photographs published in the reference book „Coaching for Cat Owners“ published by the Kosmos-Verlag in Stuttgart.
• Since 2002: Member of the „Kunstverein“ (Schwäbisch Hall Art Society);
• since 2003: Member of the „Deutscher Verband für Fotografie“ (DVF) (German Photographic Society).
• Since 2003: Numerous awards from national and international photo studios as well as various medals, honourable mentions and national and International certificates.
• 2006: Bestowal of the AFIAP „Artiste der Federation Int. de l‘Art Photographique“ award.
• 2006: Retina in Bronze from the Deutscher Verband für Fotografie E.V. awarded for excellent photographic achievement.
• 2007: Retina in Silver from the Deutscher Verband für Fotografie E.V. awarded   for excellent photographic achievement.
• 2009: Bestowal of the EFIAP (Excellence de la FIAP/ Exzellenz der FIAP award.
• 2011: Bestowal of the EFIAP-B (Excellence de la FIAP/ Exzellenz der FIAP (bronze) award.
• 2011: Bestowal the distinction Artist of the DVF (Deutschen Verband für (Fotografie)(KDVF)
• 2012: Bestowal of the EFIAP-S (Excellence de la FIAP/ Exzellenz der FIAP (silver) award.

• 2013: Bestowal of the EFIAP-G (Excellence de la FIAP/ Exzellenz der FIAP (gold) award.