Denmark Native Dreams BIG: Introducing Daniel Overbeck

Despite being born in a relatively small, quaint city in in Denmark, 22-year-old Daniel Overbeck’s dreams have long transcended his city’s limits. A Roskilde native, Daniel currently resigns in Copenhagen—Denmark’s capitol and most populous city. This change suits Daniel. A man of ambition, his desire to convert his lifelong passions into a steady career requires connection, adventure, and a muse.

Through examining Daniel’s Instagram page, three central words encompass his bio: explorer, photographer, and dreamer. These words are synonymous with his passions and align with his current career goals. “I have always been creative an obsessed with my dreams and feelings. A few years ago, I started taking photography seriously. I have always loved documenting things on Instagram as well as taking photos on my phone. Then I eventually got a camera and that just exploded, and I started traveling more and have been able to make a living out of that,” Daniel remarks.

Given his intrinsic desire to visually capture, and subsequently share, different facets of the world, Daniel began posting his travels on Instagram. He explains, “I am a person who has a lot in my head and that drives me to go out and explore and document everything from photos to videos.”

Capturing Denmark's Waterfalls

Now boasting over 26.6 thousand Instagram followers, Daniel expanded his vision to an online portfolio where clients can view his photography and schedule his services. From lavish weddings, to captivating landscapes, to portraits showcasing diverse lifestyles, Daniel promotes his photography on his website in addition to his Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube page. These media platforms grant him the ability to further share his travels and photography to a pervasive audience which, in return, generates more discussion regarding his artistic vision and creative lens. According to Daniel, his inspiration arises from three fundamental themes: people, places, and culture. “What really inspires me is not only the places I travel to, but the people’s lifestyles. I enjoy exploring new places and meeting new people—this allows me to follow my ambitions and dreams.”

Through these ambitions, Daniel has traveled to Thailand, Sweden, Germany, Austria, France, Hungary, the Faroe Island, Iceland, Italy, and Africa. Some of his trips are sponsored by individuals who desire documentation of specific sights, while other trips stem from Daniel’s own fascination with exploration. “One of my favorite trips was last summer.  I went on a road trip with my girlfriend and we drove all the way down to Germany, Austria, and France in a very old car. It was quite an adventure. That trip really got me into life on the road and inspired me to keep traveling and documenting my trips.”

On these trips, Daniel finds comfort through adhering to a routine. His typical work day entails waking up exceedingly early to shoot photos at sunrise. Afterwards, he stays active by going on a run and later joins the people who accompanied him for breakfast and coffee. If the trip is sponsored, he follows the itinerary of the client. If the trip is unsponsored, he is free to uncover the beauty of the location through the click of his camera. Mirroring the start of the day, Daniel concludes his evenings by conducting photoshoots at sunset.

As an established photographer, Daniel has been able to create his ideal work schedule. However, this schedule was not always feasible due to early uncertainties. “In the beginning, my family and friends thought what I was doing was weird and couldn’t see what the outcome would be. My parents, like others of their generation, didn’t grow up with Instagram or social media so they had no idea how to make money on something like this. It was the same with my friends,” Daniel remarks.

 It wasn’t just his family’s skepticism that proved to be a challenge for Daniel. During his first few years of seriously pursuing photography, Daniel quit his part time job to focus on his own dreams. “Quitting my job was the hardest period because I gave up everything that was secure.”  

Now that his photography has ensured financial stability, Daniel breathes easier these days, and his parents do too. Smiling, he states, “My mom and dad call me all the time and ask about my next job. They are really interested in hearing everything now. My friends tell me often that they are inspired by me and want to follow their own dreams as well.”

A man, a camera, and a vision

Serving to inspire others has been Daniel’s chief aim from the very beginning. “I want my audience to be able to see themselves in my [work.] I want to motivate people to go out and follow their dreams because that is what I did. It was hard, as always, but it worked out and now I can make a living out of it. I want to tell the world that you can do whatever you want to.”

With a trip to document Moroccan deserts already booked, Daniel confidently discusses his future. “I am always writing down my goals. I want to continue what I am doing, and I want to grow my business so that I could travel more and experience new places.” Given his unwavering faith and relentless desire to surpass current expectations, Daniel is predisposed for success—a success that follows relishing the fact that he has already turned his lifelong dreams into reality.