Daniel grew up in the Ruhrgebiet, one of Europe’s largest industrial regions, where frequent visits to a small farm sparked a deep bond with animals. Time spent with sheep, chickens and rabbits drew him toward landscape ecology, which he later studied at university. After graduation he headed to New Zealand for a year, fulfilling a dream inspired by the Lord of the Rings films. There he swam with wild dolphins, watched penguins and orcas from shore and saw how the will to protect nature often begins with a changed heart. New Zealand also ignited his passion for paddle sports and photography when he bought his first DSLR and began experimenting with light, wildlife and wild coasts.

Back in Europe, Daniel completed a master’s degree in wildlife ecology and management in Vienna and carried out thesis research in northern Greece on brown bears and human-wildlife conflict. Convinced that conservation depends on touching people’s souls, he took a guiding role at an ecolodge in Thailand. He was also inspired to become a Paddlesport Leader after canoeing 40 days through the Yukon Territory, witnessing the aurora borealis swirl over a vast northern river as wolves howled in the distance. Daniel then spent a year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on a research project habituating wild bonobos.

Since 2022 Daniel has divided his time between Iceland and Portugal guiding for Nat Hab. Beginning in 2024 he also returned regularly to the DRC, where he mentors local guides to become Expedition Leaders. Through his images and stories he hopes to instill what Albert Schweitzer called “reverence for life,” helping travelers see their own place within the living world.

In his free time Daniel enjoys reading, writing, watching movies and the greatest game of all—European football—among other sports.