About Daniel Kordan

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In this rapidly changing world, photographer Daniel Kordan transports us to a place where time seemingly stands still: the vast steppe of the Gobi Desert and the world of nomadic Mongolian Eagle Hunters. While the photos are contemporary, they depict people who live by age-old traditions. In this way, the hunters and Kordan are both preserving the dwindling art of hunting with golden eagles, which has been passed down through generations for thousands of years.

Kordan captures these horseback riders and their fine feathered friends in remarkably balanced compositions, constructing each image in a way that underscores its painterly qualities. He is a master of this discipline, regardless of whether the subjects are galloping full bore toward the viewer or standing majestically on a hilltop to survey the seemingly endless landscape below. From the traditional attire to the pristine expanses to the massive raptors taking flight from outstretched limbs, Kordan’s images leave us with the impression that these scenes could just as easily have existed a thousand years ago. The photographs speak volumes about the cultural significance – both past and present – of the Eagle Hunters.

Fascinated with photography from an early age, Kordan took a somewhat circuitous route to the profession through a career in the hard sciences. Eventually, his passion won out and his love for nature inspired him to become a full-time photographer. In addition to fine art photography, he now leads expeditions of aspiring photographers into nature, sharing his expertise to help them hone their skills.

Plains of Africa

The Maasai are known for their unique culture. Pride, honor, and a large sense of tradition are the hallmarks of their lifestyle. They are instantly recongizable with their vibrant red clothing, gleaming jewelry, and the spectacular leaps their warriors make as a demonstration of strength. For his new series, Daniel Kordan accompanied a group of young warriors through the vast, open landscape of Kenya and captured them in an unparalleled way. Kordan was able to pinpoint and illustrate the beauty unique to this people while capturing the magic of the moment.

“Hiking with the Maasai has changed me,” remarks Daniel Kordan on his time in Kenya. He learned how to listen and look for the signs of nature in order to survive in the wild. “I remember the scariest moment of our journey, when a hyena suddenly leapt out of the bush just five meters away from us. My Maasai guide sat there calmly and started to imitate the sounds of a lion - the hyena fled so quickly!” The wisdom of his traveling companions seemed boundless; from a mere broken twig, these men could identify what animal had been there and how long ago. “It seems almost hard to believe that these wonderful people could still exist on our planet.”

The artworks were created in Kenya’s national parks Nakuru and Samburu, and are brought to life through a mix of culture and nature. The Maasai warriors are set majestically against the impressively immense expanse of the savannah. The people and landscape are in perfect harmony. Kordan spent hours seeking the perfect rock formations, which are sparse in the mostly flat landscape. He definitely benefited from many years of experience as a landscape photographer who has traveled all around the globe. For his work in Kenya, it was very important to him to see eye-to-eye with the local culture.

VITA

Daniel Kordan grew up around idyllic nature near Moscow. He studied physics at the Institute of Physics and Technology and was working as a scientist before following his lifelong passion to become a professional photographer. Kordan’s work has earned him multiple awards, including a National Geographic Russia contest in 2013 and a Trierenberg Super Circuit award. His work has appeared in many international publications, and he has over 1.1 million followers on Instagram.

INTERVIEW

Picasso once said, “You don't make art, you find it.” Where do you find your art?

I find it in the raw, untouched corners of our planet and in fleeting, quiet moments. It’s in the stillness of a foggy, misty morning, the first light hitting a snow-capped peak, or the perfect symmetry of a gate opening to the sky. Nature is the ultimate artist; my job is simply to be there, wait patiently, and capture its masterpieces.

From idea to realization: How do you approach your work?

It is a blend of meticulous planning and complete spontaneity. The process begins long before I click the shutter—mapping routes, studying weather patterns, checking astronomical charts, and sometimes using drones to scout unique perspectives.

But once I am on location, I let go of expectations. You have to listen to the environment and adapt to how the light and elements behave in that exact fraction of a second.

What is your favorite book?

Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It beautifully captures the spirit of exploration, the profound solitude of nature, and the deep connection between a traveler and the earth.

Which artist would you like to have coffee with, and what would you talk about?

I would love to sit down with the legendary marine painter Ivan Aivazovsky if I could travel back in time. As someone who deeply loves the ocean, I am constantly mesmerized by how he captured the translucency of waves and the drama of light on water.

How did you come to art?

My path to photography grew out of a deep childhood fascination with nature and exploration. I didn't start with the intention of creating “art”; I simply wanted to preserve the breathtaking beauty of the wild places I was exploring and share that sense of wonder with the world.

Eventually, the camera became an extension of my own vision.

Which people in your surroundings influence you?

I am deeply influenced by the people I meet on the road—the indigenous communities who live in harmony with harsh environments, and the passionate travelers and photographers who join my expeditions. Seeing the world through their eyes keeps my own perspective fresh and grounded.

Imagine you had a time machine. Where would you travel to?

I would travel back to the Age of Discovery, stepping onto a wooden ship alongside the early explorers. To see the continents, oceans, and night skies completely untouched by modern light pollution and civilization would be a landscape photographer's ultimate dream.

What is your greatest passion outside of art?

Sailing and the open sea. There is an incredible sense of freedom in hoisting the sails and navigating the deep blue. I love freeride skiing in Hokkaido, Japan, and surfing in Bali. Another big passion of mine is teaching my four kids.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently based in Bali, and I have been exploring the world from a new perspective on a sailing boat and introducing my “Red Sails” photo tours in Greenland and Antarctica, blending my love for the ocean with landscape photography. I am also honored to be serving as a judge for the 2026 Epson Pano Travel Award and judging a DJI photo contest, which keeps me inspired by the incredible work of fellow photographers around the world. I continue working on a series about indigenous communities.