David Uzochukwu is one of our 20under20. He was born in December 1998 in Innsbruck, Austria, and delved into photography at the age of 10, focusing on self-portraiture and fine art photography after having fallen in love with the craft. His works take us into surreal worlds in which he makes himself and his models live through somber moments. It's a real adventure to witness David's development as a photographer, and we are pleased to introduce him today.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into photography.

My name is David Uzochukwu, I’m 15-years-old and a native Austrian. When I was 10, during a vacation, I got my hands on my mother’s compact camera, and that’s how it all began.

I was obsessed and captured everything I found interesting, documenting the world around me, first digitally then on film. At 12, I signed up for Flickr, and I was sure I never wanted to do anything other than take pictures. Flickr inspired me to stage my own scenes which is where I am still today.

What excites you about photography and what are you photographing the most?

I love to tell stories and to convey certain feelings and emotions in an image. This is the only criterion. I currently enjoy photographing people and very often do self-portraits. But I’m also a huge admirer of pictures that convey a mood without featuring people. I strive to be able to do this one day.

What really intrigues me is that photography – like all other art forms – can be so universal that you can be touched by a picture that someone else has created. Furthermore you can make the images in your head become reality. This amazes me again and again.

Show us two of your favorite photos: Which one is your favorite photo from your own photostream and why?

My favorite is “Cry me a river”. It was spontaneously devised last summer and showed me that colorful images with a darker concept come into existence when I photograph without thinking about it. That helped me in my development.

Which photo from another Flickr member is your favorite photo and why?

“In the wake of thunder.” from Alex Stoddard is one of my favorite photos found on Flickr. I love the silence, the colors and that you have absolutely no idea what’s happening right there. Alex manages just over and over again to create the most fascinating atmospheres.

What makes Flickr so special for you?

The community. When I signed up for Flickr, I never thought that so many great, passionate people could frolic on a website. I have closed friendships through Flickr that cause me to invest my money in train and flight tickets to meet people I’ve never seen before in my life. Flickr has shown my 12-years-old ego that photography can be art, and thus has definitely changed my life.

Which advice would you like to share with other photographers on Flickr?

Flickr is a global network, brimming with talented people who share a passion. Please make use of this opportunity.

David, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

Further work of David can be found on his website daviduzochukwu.com and of course, in his photostream.

To find out more about 20under20, how you can cast your vote for the Audience Choice Awards, and how you can nominate a candidate for 2015, visit our 20under20 landing page.