Synkroniciti is honored to share the photography of Kristian Schulze-Makuch. Kristian was a first generation American with German-Polish heritage. He was born in El Paso, Texas, lived in Pullman, Washington, and then moved to Berlin, Germany. “Beyond” was taken in Scotland, and is a stunning view of Loch Ness through an open stone window in nearby ruins. The silvery blue of the lake, the blue-green of the surrounding hills and the muted blue of the cloudy sky create a harmonious and peaceful view visible from the crafted rock shelter. We are reminded to be aware of our surroundings: of the the beauty of the natural world and the shelter our friends and family build for us. Even when we feel we are in a dark, cold place, good things remain.
When I selected this beautiful and thoughtful work, I did not know that Kristian had passed. I am so thankful that his sister submitted his photograph and shepherded his work. He has a wonderful family. Recovery, death and hope have a mysterious and beautiful relationship that we don’t understand. Kristian was coming to understand it and throws his vision back to us. His desire to comfort and connect with others even as he endured cancer treatment and, ultimately, crossed the divide between life and death is testament to the strength and hopefulness of his spirit. It transcends pain and time.
View “Beyond” in Synkroniciti’s “Recovery” issue, available for purchase here: https://synkroniciti.com/the-magazine/purchase-individual-issues/.
Kristian Schulze-Makuch was a hobby photographer who had a gift for spotting meaning with a single eye. Every picture he took held a story—his story.
He loved watching horror movies, playing video games, searching for treasure, cooking up candy, and so much more. But mostly, Kristian reminded others to laugh, be kind, face adversity with grace, and “not be a weak-sauce” when the times were tough.
Kristian passed away at the young age of twenty, but his courage and his love for all things, no matter how small, is a reminder that no matter how dark the world is, there’s always a reason to be courageous.