Digital nomads - that sounds like limitless freedom, exotic places and working with a view of the sea. But what does everyday life really look like when you travel through the world without a permanent residence? Lena and Oliver have been living exactly this dream for over two years - with all its ups and downs. In this honest conversation, they tell what it means to be constantly on the go, how they integrate their photo art into their lives and why this adventure is as challenging as it is fulfilling.
Oliver, Lena - you have been a digital nomad for over two years. That sounds like freedom and adventure. What does this lifestyle mean for you?
Oliver : Freedom, definitely. We decide what our life should look like every day. The feeling of not being tied to a permanent place is indescribable. But it is also more than that: it is the possibility to reconcile our art and our lives.
Lena : At the same time, it is also a way to keep looking at the Mirrors . You can't hide anywhere - neither from the challenges of life nor before yourself. It is beautiful and exhausting at the same time.
How did you get the idea of leaving everything behind in Germany and living a life as a digital nomad?
Lena : I've always wanted to discover and travel the world, but I didn't have the chance. Be it because there were too many obligations at home, too many animals, too many children or too little money. And I didn't find out how I make so much money that I can go. At some point the point came for me when I asked myself: What am I waiting for? This wish to discover the world is so big! Why am I waiting for point X that somehow never seems to come? Then I prefer to get rid of all my topics and to live in the world and continue to find out there - as I have done at home so far - how things will continue every month, how I want to live, how I can make it possible and where it goes. And: I would rather be with the same struggles in different places than to be in the same place and finally get rid of these struggles!
Oliver : I had been thinking about migrating for a long time when I met Lena. At the same time with the fact that I fell in love with her, I found out that she is going to Scandinavia - and without the intention of returning to Germany. That was a hard number for me! But at the same time the catalyst for my own liberation. It pulled me so much to her that I was ready to leave my life in Germany, which no longer fulfilled me completely. I asked her if I can accompany you and document this trip with the camera. She said “yes”, and that has released incredible energy in me - so much that even 14 hours drive until our meeting in Sweden were possible. Since then we have been traveling and living together.
With the term “digital nomads” we immediately think of the beach, folding chair and laptop. What about this cliché?
Oliver : (laughs) We tried that in Mallorca - and honestly? It's a myth! No laptop of this world is bright enough to arrive against the popping sun - at least without a socket! And internet reception is not necessarily given on the beach.
Lena : Yes! And the world has so much more to offer than sizzling on the beach all day. There are so many ways to live as digital nomads. Either travel from region to region with our small car and rent an Airbnb there for one or more months. Or to build a simple bed in the back of a station wagon and thus tour Europe for a whole summer as a home - we have already experienced both. Maybe we will have a rolling home in the form of a caravan next? Who knows! It is important to us to be open to what life offers us for opportunities and then listen to our gut feeling.
What makes your photo art so special - and how does it touch people?
Oliver : Our current series "Symbiosis" opens up a room in which they can feel, feel and remember. The multi -layered, emotional compositions carry the deep spontaneous, intimate moments - moments that are lost for many in hectic everyday life. They convey that love and connection are not only possible, but can also exist in our fast -moving world. For some, this may look like a quiet, rebellious act: to consciously combine with love and durability. These works remind you that there are such deep feelings - and that you are a gift.
Lena : Our pictures invite people to feel the connection to themselves and to the world around them. For me, they embody the deep understanding that everything is networked with each other. This message touches, inspired and gives strength. What makes our art special is that it tells of the beauty of nature and how it always gives us magical moments - often unexpectedly. Our works carry this feeling of amazement and discovering and thus create a very personal experience for every viewer.
Who are your work particularly inspiring for?
Oliver : Our works are intended for people who create places where feelings and experiences are the focus. They are both art for hotels and restaurants as well as for cafes, galleries or healing spaces, such as yoga studios. There they set emotional accents that enrich the atmosphere. And they create moments that touch people, stimulate thought and give them an impulse to perceive their own life more consciously.
Lena : On a lower level, our work appeals to all those who feel that more is possible in their life. People looking for inspiration to live more freely, authentic and consciously. Our art reminds you that deep love, real connection and a self -determined life are accessible to everyone - and invites you to give these values more space in everyday life.
What would you call your greatest challenges?
Oliver : Financial stability is our constant companion - or rather: the search for it. Since the beginning of this phase of life, we have tried everything possible to achieve a stable income and to form reserves for emergencies. Among other things, we published print collections, started a YouTube channel and produced UGC for Brands. So far we have always come to the end, even if the resounding success and financial freedom have so far been long in coming.
We are two very versatile, creative people who like to follow their impulses. But what we do with love - creating together in a wide variety of ways and trying it out - does not necessarily find a market. So it is always the search for the intersection: what do we do with passion and brings money at the same time?
Lena : Another topic is visibility. We have had around 200 followers on Instagram for two years, and no matter what we try, nothing is moving. This is frustrating, especially because we get very touching feedback from the people who see our work.
As far as travel is concerned, Airbnb surprises are unfortunately always the order of the day. Mice in the bedroom, a smoking oven in the living room - everything already had! We learned that it is worth fighting! These were experiences that we welded together even more as a team and from which we came out strengthened.
Were there special moments when you felt confirmed?
Lena : absolutely! An example is an almost concluded exhibition date in a café in Helsingborg. We were so excited because that would have been the first big step in the direction that we want: to present our art in places that we travel. Unfortunately, the organizer messed up the dates and no longer reported. That was a bitter damper.
Oliver : Nevertheless, it was a confirmation that we were in the right place with our art. It's like a silent hope that drives us: somewhere out there there are people who want exactly what we create. We just have to find them!
How do you deal with these setbacks?
Lena : It's not always easy. However, I always have the hope that it is ultimately possible for me: to live as I have been dreaming for as long. Why not? After all, we have been living like this for over two years now! We remember each other of our vision - the joy we feel when we capture magical moments and share them on our own artistic path. Supporting each other and the love that we have to see together as a basis helps enormously.
Oliver : Exactly. Our relationship is generally the core of our art. With my work I want to create a monument to what is most important to me: Lena and our love - in all facets, in every season and mood. That always gives us strength. And again and again, even in difficult moments to come back to it and not to lose sight of our goal, is probably the most important ability in this way.
You have asked that you live from month to month. How do you deal with this uncertainty?
Lena : We try to keep our running costs as low as possible to have resources for the most important thing: a fixed roof over the head - with preference in the middle of nature -, high -quality vegetable food that nourish our body and at the same time enable us to enjoy the driving suitability of our small, old VW Golf. That is why we have terminated almost all insurance. Sometimes this burdens us, especially when unexpected costs such as car repairs or a visit to the dentist come to us. In fact, the necessary money has always been there when we needed it. This gives us more and more confidence that it will continue in the future, even if it sometimes looks dangerous.
Oliver : It is a balancing act between trust and planning. Fortunately, we can keep the costs low due to very conscious consumption. Here in Estonia, for example, fresh fruit and vegetables are significantly more affordable than recently in Finland, which is very accommodating to us. In 2025 it continues south for us, and after the Baltic States, Romania, Bulgaria, the Balkans and Greece await us. There we will get significantly more for the euro than in Scandinavia - a thought that definitely ensures relaxation for me.
What would you like for the future?
Oliver : We hope that our art finally reaches the people who are inspired by it. Preferably around the world because I see ourselves as an international artist. Our prints are more than wall decoration. They are magical, multi -layered companions full of emotions that touch people and move into another world. The idea that our works are present in cafes, galleries or healing spaces all over the world drives us.
Lena : First and foremost, we want to travel the world and discover and experience as much of it as it is possible in our lives. I am drawn to other continents such as Africa and Asia - and how nice it would be to be able to work from there? And how nice would it be to share this with others? Of course, we want more financial freedom so that we can put even more time and energy into what really fulfills us. Our goal is to be creative with ease and joy and show people that a self -determined, authentic life is possible.
What do you want to give people who are thinking about living a similar life?
Lena : Be honest with yourself about your values and priorities. This life is not a constant vacation, but a constant adventure - with everything that goes with it. And sooner or later it will be shown whether you actually follow your own vision or chase after a wrong dream that comes from the outside somewhere.
Oliver : Exactly! It is a path full of challenges, but also full of magic. And no matter how difficult it is sometimes, we would always choose. Because this freedom to shape life according to our ideas is priceless. Every morning to wake up in a place that we chose, and then, when the distance attracts, to move on without having to put the pressure back at some point - I don't want to give this feeling.
This interview was conducted in January 2025.
Exclusive Fine Art Print on Demand
The motives of this article and others that are created during our trip are available as an exclusive Fine Art Print for sale.
Oliver Selzer was born in Bautzen in 1983 and discovered his passion for artistic creativity early on. After training as a media designer, he worked for several years in a Frankfurt graphic agency, where he discovered his love for photography. In 2019 he dared to jump into self -employment as a freelance photographer.
At the end of 2022 he left the big city behind - since then he has lived and worked as a digital nomade and combines his love for traveling with his art. Together with his partner and muse Lena, he captures the magic of joint discovery in his works - and thus freedom, nature and deep connection between man and moment. His fine art prints are shaped by gentle, intimate moods and tell authentic stories of wanderlust, love and adventure.
Oliver creates works that invite you to pause and arouse memories of special moments. They are available as high -quality art prints and find their place in cafes, galleries and Healing spaces all over the world.
