Professional Photographer In Dayton, Ohio
Dan at Cleary Creative Photography, provides professional photography that brings your vision to life. A dedicated photographer serving Dayton, Ohio and surrounding areas for 35+ Years
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How Dan Cleary Will Help You With His Creative Photography Skills
Customized Photoshoots: Dan Cleary offers personalized photoshoots tailored to the needs and preferences of each client.
Creative Direction: With his expertise in photography, Dan Cleary provides creative direction to clients, helping them conceptualize and execute their photo projects.
Technical Expertise: As a professional photographer, Dan Cleary has a deep understanding of camera equipment, lighting techniques, composition, and post-processing.
Artistic Vision: Dan Cleary brings his creative vision to each personal and commissioned project. He offers a unique perspective and style that sets his work apart and adds value to the final product.
Personal Branding: For clients needing professional headshots and branding images, Dan Cleary helps them present themselves or their businesses in the best possible light.
Photography Workshops and Classes: As an experienced photographer, Dan Clear offers workshops and one-on-one training sessions to help clients improve their photography skills.
Fine Art Prints For Collectors: Dan Cleary creates fine art prints of his artwork for clients who appreciate high-quality, artistic photography and wish to add it to their collections.
Make a powerful first impression with a polished headshot. We provide professional headshot photography in Dayton for business owners, corporate teams, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Our sessions are designed to put you at ease so your confidence and personality shine through in your portrait. Need a clean studio headshot for your LinkedIn profile or company website? How about an environmental portrait at your office? In either case, we’ve got you covered. Your Dayton headshot photographer will ensure lighting, pose, and background all come together for a result that conveys professionalism and approachability. Elevate your brand with a crisp, well-crafted headshot that stands out.
Dan loves working with families to create stunning portraits celebrating your unique bond. Whether you prefer an outdoor session at a scenic Dayton park or a classic portrait in our studio, we’ll ensure a relaxed experience that brings genuine smiles and interactions. As an experienced Dayton family photographer, Dan knows how to capture your family’s love, laughter, and personality in every shot. From multigenerational family photos to candid kids’ portraits, we deliver high-quality images you’ll proudly display and share.
Celebrate your senior year with a one-of-a-kind photo shoot! We create fun, memorable high school senior portraits for students in Dayton and the surrounding area. Dan works closely with seniors and their parents to plan a session that reflects your style – from urban backdrops downtown to natural settings like local parks or your school campus. Bring your hobbies, sports gear, or pets to showcase what makes you you! Our goal is to capture each senior’s personality and accomplishments. With expert posing guidance and creative flair, we’ll deliver a collection of senior photos you’ll be excited to share with friends and family. Senior year happens once – let’s make your portraits truly special.
Dan Cleary’s fine art photography captures the beauty and complexity of the natural world with striking detail and composition. His work transforms everyday scenes into captivating art pieces, bringing a sense of wonder and serenity to any space. With each photograph, Dan invites viewers to experience the world through a fresh, creative lens, perfect for collectors and art enthusiasts alike.
Dan Cleary’s photography class offers hands-on guidance to help you master your camera and confidently capture stunning images. Through personalized instruction, Dan breaks down essential techniques, empowering students of all levels to improve their skills quickly. Whether you’re a beginner or seeking advanced tips, this class equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to elevate your photography.
Call For More Information 937-298-6776
Dan Can Quickly Answer All Your Questions
Why Choose Cleary Creative Photography?
Dan Cleary is a trusted Dayton photographer with decades of experience and an artist dedicated to telling your story through images. His clients consistently rave about the personal care and attention to detail in every session (“We absolutely love our photos!“). He combines technical skills with a creative touch to ensure you get portraits that exceed your expectations. From the initial consultation to the final edited images, you’ll appreciate our professionalism, patience, and passion for photography.
Ready to Capture Your Memories?
Contact Dan at Cleary Creative Photography today to discuss your photo session or to ask any questions. He’s happy to talk about ideas and locations – whether it's a family reunion portrait, a new professional headshot, or a set of senior pictures for your soon-to-be graduate. Call 937-298-6776 or email Dan@ClearyCreativePhoto.com to get started. Let him help you freeze these moments in time with beautiful photographs.
Call For More Information 937-298-6776
Dan Can Quickly Answer All Your Questions
“Thank you for your kindness and attention to detail with our historical Presidential Portrait collection for Earlham College. Your amazing talent beautifully captured all 20 past presidents and reignited our interest in Earlham's rich history of leadership for the college. Everyone was thrilled with the results at the project unveiling.” Christian Adams, Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana
Call For More Information 937-298-6776
Dan Can Quickly Answer All Your Questions
Dan Cleary was voted best photographer in the region by Dayton Magazine readers for 2024.
With years of experience and a genuine passion for photography, Dan Cleary at Cleary Creative Photography captures the essence of your most meaningful moments. Dan brings creativity and a personalized touch to every session, from family portraits that reflect deep connections to high school senior photos that showcase individuality to professional headshots that exude confidence. As a Certified Professional Photographer and a Master of Fine Arts graduate from the prestigious Cranbrook Academy of Art, Dan combines technical skill with artistic vision. Recognized as a Proud Dayton Original by the Dayton City Commission, he embodies the city's spirit of innovation and creativity. Trust Cleary Creative Photography to tell your unique story through images you'll cherish for a lifetime.
Wright Brothers: Then and Now
This book makes a great gift. Click to order signed copies of the book directly!
Dan Cleary has published a book that mingles historic photos of the Wright Brothers at the turn-of-the 20th century with contemporary images of his creation taken in the 21st century.
"Dan's images represent moving back in time while standing in the present day. This historical, engaging project is filled with images from both the past and the present." Lens Culture Review
"Ingenious photography project that transports the Wright Brothers to the present day." Plane and Pilot Magazine
"Dan Cleary has been a time traveler" Washingtonian Magazine
Family Portraits
“I want to say that Mr. Cleary was a doll, he was very understanding about my requests and the fact I did not have all the things I needed for the sitting, he was fine with that so I would like to thank him for his time, not to mention the beautiful pictures he took of my family, children and grand kids. He is truly a professional portrait photographer and again thank you.”
Judy McCullah, Dayton, Ohio
High School Senior Portraits
“Mr. Cleary, you did a wonderful job with my daughter Alexa' high school senior portraits. She was absolutely at ease and totally enjoyed her shoot. You went over and above the call of duty. I will be telling everyone about your services for the photos, they are absolutely gorgeous. The price of the photos is much more reasonable than any other I have encountered. I do want to thank you again and plan on using your services again in the future.”
Sandy DeHaven, Dayton, Ohio
Business Photography
"It's a major endeavor to redesign a business website and especially challenging when it's for a law firm with hundreds of lawyers. We selected Dan because of his experience, photographic style and attention to detail. Dan did an excellent job on the photographs and in managing the project to completion."
Ellen Geron, Regional Growth Manager, Thompson Hine LLP
Fine Art Photography
"Thanks for all your help with the Kettering Health facilities projects. The photographs look great on the walls."
Lisa Laverty
The Art Company
Latest Blog Posts
PhotoShop Landscape Tutorial
Over the past five years I have created landscape photographs that are on display in Kettering Hospital Medical facilities between Troy and Middletown, Ohio. I created a video of my PhotoShop work to create one of my landscape photographs. This is called "Sunrise In Miami County" and was originally put up in a medical building in a rural town Tipp City, Ohio. I was commissioned to create 50 photographs to put up in this new construction building. Most of my photographs are not straight images right out of the camera. This video shows my post-production to go from the original image out of the camera to the final finished photograph. When I was creating my original photograph that the sky and foreground would be outside the range of what a camera can see. A camera can see 10 stops of light from white to black. The sky to foreground were more than 10 stops so I know that I would have to put together multiple photographs in PhotoShop to create an image that had a good exposure in the sky and the foreground. If the sky was the correct exposure the foreground would be black and if the foreground was the correct exposure, then the sky would be very light. This is how I work around this issue to create a beautiful landscape, sunrise photograph of a corn field in the fall in Ohio. To see more of these landscape photographs of rural Ohio go to http://clearyfineartphoto.com/landscape-photography/ The YouTube video is located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJEzVAfB-jE. Enjoy!
Wright Brothers Then and Now photography series
Wright Brothers Then and Now photography series by Dan Cleary
After the Wright Brothers had secured contracts with European and American governments, they set up flight schools to start training pilots. The Army airplane trials had been held at Fort Myer, Maryland in 1908 because of its proximity to Washington, headquarters of the Army and its Aeronautical Division, but the commandant at Fort Myer refused to relinquish the parade ground for further flight training and the Wright Brothers expressed reluctance to teach beginners to fly on the small, enclosed area. Another site was found near College Park, Maryland, about eight miles northeast of Washington, D.C. The Signal Corps agreed to lease the site. However, the winter weather meant the College Park site could not be used for year-round training. Various sites in the south and west were used during the early 1910s at Fort Sam Houston, near San Antonio, Texas, North Island, San Diego, California, and Augusta, Georgia. However flying training in the Army remained on a small scale until the USA joined World War I in April 1917. In February 1913, the Aviation School contingent in Augusta, Georgia, along with two pilots who had been training in Palm Beach, Florida, transferred to Texas City, Texas, to join ground forces on duty along the border. This meant that the Army Aviation school was concentrated on North Island, San Diego.
The Wrights also set up a private pilot training school at Huffman Prairie in Dayton and called it Simms Station. Their brochure for the flying school read: “The Wright Company operates a permanent school of aviation at the historic grounds at Simms Station near Dayton, where the Wright Brothers carried on their experiments. The field is admirably adapted to training purposes, the ground being level and free from obstructions.” The Wright Brothers trained many individuals here at Simms Station like Hap Arnold who eventually became a five-star general and commanded the US Army Air Force during World War ll. Also, Albert Lambert from St Louis learned to fly at Simms Station. Lambert was a WW l pilot and later donated 170 acres of land outside of St Louis to create the first public municipal airport in the country.
Higher, Orville, Higher: My starting point for this series in many cases is with the historic photograph. On May 25, 1910 Orville and Wilbur made the only flight together in one of their airplanes. They had always agreed that they should never fly together incase tragedy happened that the other brother could continue with flight experiments. But this day was a perfect spring day. The only person in the immediate Wright family who hadn’t yet flown was Bishop Wright, their father. So, after the brothers landed Orville went over to his father and said “Next”. Bishop Wright who was 85 years of age said “yes” and they soared over Huffman Prairie at about 350 feet for about six minutes. I like to think that Wilbur took this photograph.
Test Flight On The Miami River is one of the historic photographs I know the Wrights didn’t take. The historic photograph is the Wright Model CH Flyer fitted with twin, multi-step pontoons. This photograph is attributed to William Preston Mayfield, Dayton Daily News, Dayton, Ohio and was taken on May 1, 1913. It is said he was the first person to take an aerial photograph flying with Orville in one of the Wright’s planes. There are two men sitting in the boat on the river observing the flight. I think one of them is Orville. This part of the Miami river flows east west and then makes a sharp turn going north south. It allowed them to make test flight into the wind in either direction. The location for my photograph is along the bike path from Carillon Park in downtown Dayton to West Carrollton, Ohio. I've ridden my bike on this path many times and stopped at this boat put in for a drink of water. I never realized the historic significance of this spot when I was taking a rest on my bike watching the water flow. The quote for this photograph is from Orville. "Isn't it astonishing that all these secrets have been preserved for so many years just so we could discover them!” To see the entire series go to ClearyFineArtPhoto.com/Wright-Brother-Fine-Art-Photographs/
Ohio Landscape Photography
Ohio Landscape Photographs On Permanent Display In Kettering Health Network Hospital
Over the past five years I have created upwards of 200 photographs that are on display in Kettering Health Network hospital buildings and offices from Troy to Middletown. Sunrise In Miami County was created on a fall morning in Bethel Township. I was searching for a sunrise photograph and came across these straw bales. I pulled over and walked out into the field and created this image. There was a limited amount of time because the sun was rising and after only a few minute the sun was too high for the effect I wanted. My clent asked if I had any covered bridge photographs, which I didn't. I found a few close to me and this was the photograph they liked. The Charleston Mill covered bridge is in Green County. The final photograph is on display in a medical facility in Middletown, Ohio. The farmer was finishing plowing his field right outside Tipp City and the photograph is one of 50 photographs on display in a medical building in Tipp City. Greenville Falls is close to Covington, Ohio also in Miami County. I photographed the little Miami River in John Bryan state park in October and was trying to create a quiet peaceful image. You can see more of these photographs at the landscape page of my website. http://clearyfineartphoto.com/landscape-photography/
Wright Brothers Photographs at Kitty Hawk, NC 1901 and 1902
Wright Brothers test gliders in 1901 and 1902
Here are three images from my Wright Brothers – Then and Now series that are from the time period of 1901 - 1902 when they were flying kites and gliders to determine aerodynamics of wing shapes. Maria and I went to Kitty Hawk, NC in the summer if 2016 to visit the Wright Brothers National park and spend the week at the Outer Banks. Beautiful place, I would highly recommend going there if you’ve never visited. We spent the entire day July 21st there. Thank you, Maria, for spending your whole birthday at the national park. I had many historic photographs for the Wright Brothers time at Kitty Hawk but didn’t know exactly which one’s I would be using. I created 500 – 600 image that day so I would have an inventory to use. When I got back to Dayton, I began editing my photographs and deciding how I could get them to work with the historic photographs I had. Here’s what I came up with.
Kite Flying: The historic photo taken was taken in 1901 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina when the Wrights were just working with kites. During the summer, in the afternoon the park rangers start passing out kites. I view this photograph as a form of street photography, and it’s meant to be fun. I like the little girl with her mother and especially the man in the right side of the image trying to get his kite in the air. I think the quote works well with this image. On the technical side there was quite a bit of moving people and kites around to make a good composition. I worked hard to make the historic photographs integrate with my photograph.
The quote is from Orville in a letter written to Katherine. I liked Orville’s sense of humor. “We tried it with the tail in the front, behind and every other way. When we got through Will was so mixed up he couldn’t even theorize. It has been with considerable effort that I succeeded in keeping him in the flying business at all.”
View From The Top Of Big Kill Devil Hill: My image was taken from the top of Big Kill Devil hill. This may be one of the images where I was almost exactly in the same spot where the historic photograph was taken. I lined up my horizon line with the horizon of the Wright Brothers photograph. The location of the Wright Brothers barn in the foreground was almost in the exact location in both photographs. Octave Chanute was an American civil engineer and aviation pioneer. He provided the Wright brothers, with help and advice, and helped to publicize their flying experiments. The Wright Brothers read Chanute's book, Progress in Flying Machines, and they wrote to him. He quickly saw the genius of those two quiet young men. So, he sent his own assistants to North Carolina to work with them. By 1902, the Wrights were making 600-foot flights in fully controllable gliders. The airplane was finally ready for an engine. The next year they took off and flew under power. The quote was from the first letter Wilbur wrote to Octave Chanute.
“For some years I have been afflicted with the belief that flight is possible to man. My disease has increased in severity and I feel that it will soon cost me an increased amount of money if not my life. I have been trying to arrange my affairs in such a way that I can devote my entire time for a few months to experiment in this field.” Wilbur Wright letter to Octave Chanute 1900
Gliding off the top of Big Kill Devil Hill: This is an image looking up at Big Kill Devil hill with the Wright Brothers monument at the top of the hill. The quote is from one of the numerous letters Wilbur and Octave wrote to each other. What I liked most is at the end of this letter, Octave wrote “Please take plenty of snapshots”, which they did.
“It has occurred to me that you would get still flatter glides by making sure that the center of gravity coincides exactly with the center of pressure, and possible by decreasing the angle of your rudder to 4 degrees. Please take plenty of snapshots.” Letter from Octave Chanute to Wilbur Wright, August 19, 1901