Meet Lina Schütze | Storyteller, Photo- & Videographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lina Schütze and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It’s funny how life can lead you down unexpected paths. While working for a record company making music videos in Cologne, Germany, the thrill was undeniable. But there was a hitch—the themes often clashed with my values. One day, faced with filming yet another video that just didn’t sit right with my ethics, I couldn’t hold back the tears. That was my cue for a change.

Around that time, my husband, Luis, bought a drone and filmed friends doing deep-water soloing in Mallorca. I edited the footage, people loved it, and requests for projects poured in. This coincided with my struggles at the record company, prompting me to quit and we found together “Al Aire Films” in 2015.

“Al aire libre” means “outdoors” in Spanish, mirroring our desire for an open-air office as we’re both passionate outdoor lovers and rock climbers for over 25 years. Luis’ charisma attracted clients; he piloted the drone and added an unexpected twist to stories. I handled visual concepts, shooting, and editing, focusing on candid styles and natural beauty. Our synergy was undeniable.

Over the next years, we documented extraordinary rock climbers in Peru, filmed Paralympic victories in Brazil, covered Monaco’s Grand Prix, and created content for fashion brands, institutions, hotels, and more. Our work is diverse and demanding, with long production days followed by quieter editing sessions. This balance, akin to life’s ebb and flow, a mix of action and serenity, keeps me engaged. I’ve learned to navigate these fluctuations, trusting that there’s always another challenging story waiting to be told.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
“Al Aire Films,” isn’t just about capturing stunning visuals or telling compelling stories—though we’re pretty darn good at that! It’s about a journey born out of passion and conviction. Our story began with a yearning for authenticity and a love for the outdoors. We didn’t just stumble into entrepreneurship; we carved our path when our values clashed with the norm. We’re storytellers who believe in narratives that resonate, that move people. Our work isn’t just about capturing moments; it’s about weaving tales that evoke emotions, stir thoughts, and inspire action.

“Al Aire Films” isn’t just a name—it’s a philosophy. It represents our longing for freedom, for open skies and breathtaking landscapes. Our brand mirrors our commitment to authenticity, raw beauty, and genuine connections.

In a world saturated with content, we strive to stand out by infusing every project with our passion, dedication, and a touch of the unexpected. We want people to feel the pulse of our stories, to be transported into the heart of the moment, and to experience the magic we’ve captured through our lens.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m basically addicted to mountain air! Once, during a yoga retreat in Mallorca, this Brit asked if I lounged around the beaches here. I nearly choked on my smoothie! “Nah,” I said, “you’ll catch me scaling mountains more often than getting a tan!”

Now, my latest mission, aside from clinging to rock faces, is to conquer all 54 of the Tramuntana mountain range’s thousand-meter summits. It’s like collecting trading cards, but way more thrilling! Who needs beach lounging when you can aim for the sky, right?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to express my gratitude to my partner Luis. Despite our differences – he’s Mexican, I’m German – we possess an incredible synergy, though it occasionally leads to clashes. However, we’ve discovered that listening to each other helps us learn and grow. I’m especially grateful to him for accepting that after 7 years of working together, it was time for a new chapter. We decided to separate our work lives from our personal lives, prioritizing our relationship. This decision allowed us to reconnect with our true passions again: being outdoors, always accompanied by our dog Naia, climbing, exploring new mountains, and uncovering hidden gems together.

Website: https://www.alairefilms.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alairefilms/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlAireFilms

Image Credits
Al Aire Films