Bio – see above paraphrase.
Most anyone can push a button on a camera and take a picture. Even at a professional level, [hopefully] any photographer can operate a camera [although I have witnessed exceptions]. In a room full of 100 photographers, only a select one or two will be a true artisan. Creating a masterful viewpoint using a camera, as a “paint brush” is not something just anyone can do.
Being an artisan is who I am. I thrive on creation, dream of concepts and I am happiest putting my creative vision into play.
I was born an artist and I have always been one (even when my mother wanted me to be a doctor). In third grade, while the rest of class was jotting down numbers on their math exam, I was drawing an elaborate creation of a race car on the back of the test paper, rather than dealing with mathematics.
At Cleveland State and Kent State, straight A’s in art, design, photography and all of my visual arts classes kept my “pre-med” grade point average up. Let’s face it, how much fun is Logic 101 or Early World History? It’s no wonder that I went through most of the Art Institute on scholarships, graduating with the Highest Achievement Award.
The hands on knowledge that I learned and earned in my 16-year career in graphic arts is immeasurable. I have worked as a graphic designer at advertising agencies. I have art directed all types of project including hundreds of photo shoots. I understand the front and back production end of the publishing and print industry. My job as a Creative Director was to conceive, create and put my visions into action. It was at my last position as the Creative Director for Unique Homes Magazine that my paths with architectural Photography crossed. This was when I decided to become an architectural photographer.
In the past ten years, my architectural photographer images have appeared in thousands of locations internationally. They continue to be in dozens of publications every month across the world. I love the challenge of capturing an architect or designer’s vision and portraying that in an enlightening fashion. I truly get an adrenalin lift as I roam a job site in search of the perfect vantage point.
My experiments with digital infrared photography landed me several pages in the new edition of Norman McGrath’s book, “Architectural Photography”. My imagery has won both my clients and myself too many awards to mention. My clients know that winning awards mean prestige and it also means their phone will ring.
Clients call upon my services because they want something far more than average. They quickly learn that my services go well beyond the normal “person with a camera”. My client’s also realize that our relationship is a strong lasting collaboration.
With the genius creation of the digital camera, today most anyone can become a “person with a camera”, and proclaim to be the new professional photographer. I can only applaud their efforts, as I am confident my client base understands the difference between snapshots and an award winning photographs that the entire world will see (and judge their competence on). There is an inherent value in my work and this investment takes more than simply pushing a camera button or nine months of experience.
Traveling the world as an architectural photographer is a great joy and an honor. Whether my next assignment is to photograph a new resort in Bali, or an improvement to a major U.S. airport, my approach is with the same appetite for creating greatness.
When I am home with my loving wife and our beautiful two-year-old daughter, I can continue to create with my guitar and drums (and pretend I’m a rock star). Or maybe I’ll just go kiteboarding for the day and play hooky. That’s one of the perks of being my own boss.
If I can answer any other questions regarding my career path or services, please feel free to contact me directly via email at dana@danahoff.com or my personal cell at 561.762.5313.
Lastly, my mom reads this blog spot all the time so it's imperative that I say this....
HI MOM!!
:)
Dana
by danahoff
no comments