Reinhard “Reini” Fichtinger, 33, lives in “Innsbrooklyn,” where he works as a photographer, shooting for outdoor companies like Adidas, Vaude, and Red Bull, and European climbing mags, including the new Austrian publication Climax. Fichtinger also routesets for gyms around Austria and has an international setter’s license. (He recently set for the bouldering World Cup in Hall, Austria.) Together with his girlfriend and half a dog (“I share it with my brother, who is a mountain guide,” he says), Fichtinger enjoys the Innsbruck nightlife and gets out climbing and shooting in places like Zillertal, Ticino, Italy, and Slovenia. “Some of my best friends are professional climbers,” he says, “so it’s interesting to follow them with a camera.” View more of Fichtinger's photos here: reinhard-fichtinger.com

This morning I wished I had at least one beer less yesterday.

My first camera didn't last very long — I drop a lot of things when I shoot climbing.

Where I grew up, soccer was much more important than climbing, but I had zwa linke fiass — which means I wasn't very good at it.

A perfect photograph is not necessarily taken with the most expensive camera gear.

Photographing climbing is absolutely the wrong thing to do to become a millionaire.

In ten years, I am afraid I still photograph climbers instead of supermodels.

When I pack for a shoot, I always wish I had some lighter gear.

My worst day of shooting was at a climbing event with about 100 photographers and 20 climbers.

The biggest surprise is when you shoot on film and pick up the negatives from the lab.

A common mistake: to pack my camera without a memory card.

I started climbing in the 1980s — you know, pink lycras, etc.

The hardest shot was not so easy.

I’m afraid of blue frogs — fortunately, there are none of them in Austria.

The perfect climb still waits to be found.

I love Stoney Ginger Beer.