Photography at its core is about capturing moments. Daniel is the perfect example of this philosophy, rather than getting bogged down in the gear, the settings, the specifics - his work focuses on the feeling of the moment. Something which is easier said than done, but Daniel does it without a hitch.

What is your goal with your work this year?

To get better at it, do more of it, meet more beautiful souls and have an even better time doing it.

More particularly I would like to focus less on taking portraits and more on telling stories. Photographing friends or lovers interacting with each other as if the camera wasn't there.

There is this series I shot a few years ago with two friends of mine in Spain. We were running up some hill right by the ocean with literally hundreds of windmills on it, smiling non stop and not being able to believe what we just discovered by accident. It's still one of my favorite memories to date. I want to do more of that.

How would you define your work?

I'm always trying to convey emotions with my portraits. Doesn't matter if happy, sad, anything in between or outside. You can define or interpret my photos in any way you'd like, but if you spend 10 seconds in this fast paced world looking at one in particular, I have reached my goal.

What was a favourite memory on a shoot from last year?

There were so many and I can't point out one in particular. But I really loved the trips to Tuscany and France. On both we rented out huge Airbnbs for a week with 10-15 fellow models and photographers. Most of them I've never met before but they ended up becoming very dear friends of mine.

Your work has a lovely feel, how do you achieve this?

I think most photographers overthink it when it comes to compositions, poses, sharpness etc. and focus too much on creating a perfect image. It makes photos feel unnatural. I only work with natural light and don't really plan my personal projects at all, it's a very intuitive process for me.

Sometimes there are these moments during a shoot where my mind just shuts off, adrenaline rushes through my body and I feel like I'm in some kind of trance state because the moment just feels so right. That's when the best photos happen.

Also at least 50% comes down to how the model feels and acts in front of the lens and how comfortable we are together. I do give directions when I feel the need to, but it's never just about what I do.

I am very fortunate to share the same vision with most of the people I shoot with so it's definitely a team effort!

What excites you most about shoot day?

If I'm honest, coming home. I love the process of shooting and the best part in general is that I get to meet so many beautiful people who I often end up becoming really good friends with.

But there's nothing like this feeling of accomplishment right after a great shoot, when I know I've just created something I will remember for years.

What is one piece of equipment you couldn't live without?

None, really. I'm not a technical guy at all. I have my camera, a 35mm and a 24-70mm lens and some analogue stuff that I barely use anymore. That's pretty much it.

WOTW TIP: Getting into film photography? An affordable way to start, we recommend a half frame camera with some Kodak Gold.

What is currently inspiring you?

I live in Vienna, so I often put on my headphones and take walks around the city to find new locations and think of new ideas.

Movies and other photographers are a great way to get inspired for me as well.

How do you balance creating art for yourself versus work for clients?

I mostly create for myself. I do some client work about once a month and I'm always open for it if somebody is into my style and would like to reach out. But at the moment I have the luxury of not really being dependent on it financially.

Photography has given me so much already through only doing projects I love. I shoot what I want and when I want and I wouldn't want to ruin that through having to accept projects that I know I would not enjoy in order to sustain myself.

How do you define success?

Generally speaking, to be happy and able to spend most of my time doing things I love.

Also other people valuing my work makes me feel really good and accomplished. So thank you for the questions!