Ulrich Mannchen was born and raised in a small village in Frankonia, Germany in 1984. He discovered photography at a young age as a medium to help him make sense of the world outside his hometown, as well as to explore, experience, and express it.

After dedicating over a decade to honing his skills in analog black and white portrait photography, he earned his master's degree in design, communications, and photography. Driven by a desire to venture beyond his comfort zone, Ulrich spent 13 years traveling to over 40 countries with a camera in hand in search of "the most unique characters." He documented people from all walks of life, including native tribes in Southern Ethiopia, villagers in rural India, and the dying nomadic culture of the Mongolians, among others. His photography amplifies the stories of these individuals, builds bridges to greater awareness of issues like globalisation, human trafficking, orphan crises, and extreme poverty, and honours the individual by connecting with the people he meets on his journey.

Ulrich's work has been exhibited in multiple galleries and exhibitions across China, Europe, and the United States. He has also taught, lectured, and run workshops at various universities and schools around the world. He believes in empowering people through portraiture and using photography as a bridge for others to learn, grow, and connect.