Mikkel Horlyck (35) is a conflict photojournalist and visual artist based in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2019, he was recipient of Discovery Of The Year at The Lucie Awards in New York City. In 2023, he joined FUTURES Photography as an artist. His work has received awards and honors from Lucie Foundation, International Photography Awards and PJP – Photojournalism Prize among others.
Assignments for United Nations Development Programme – UNDP, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Disabled People’s Organisations Denmark and more.
He holds a BA in photojournalism from The Danish School Of Media and Journalism.
Today, he works on his projects, giving lectures, doing ambassador work, researching and is chairman of the board at the association Gallery Human Destinies On The Edge/Galleri Menneskeskaebner paa kanten.
“My projects focus on global issues, social injustice, spirituality and the depth of ones character.
I use photojournalism to investigate the mechanisms of human survival. I approach my projects with open minded curiosity and commit myself to being engaged in the situations and experiences of those I photograph. My aim is to give a genuine and personal insight into the core of a human crisis.
Capturing moments which are often unseen, my intention is to create heartful and energetically striking images which encourage the audience to see things in new ways and to open their hearts.
I search for the universal, hidden and authentic emotions, which are at stake for the people who I am photographing. Photographs can reveal fundamental truths, which I feel a call to communicate – to create healing, understanding and memorable photographs. My projects span from weeks to several years.
I use my will, discipline and courage to advocate for values of community, freedom and progress. To build a bridge from the viewer to the people I photograph. I feel a call to tell stories of people who are facing challenging circumstances.
My work is published as longreads and in television, magazines, as well on exhibitions in Denmark and abroad.”
Book: Kill To Live (Coming Autumn 2026)
Exhibitions: Human Destinies On The Edge in Europe and photographs published in the world.
Short documentary: Ukraine / UNDP 2025
