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
Call For More Information 937-298-6776
Dan Will Quickly Answer All Your Questions
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
Downtown Dayton Fountains at sunset
This is an image I created in July 2019. I was walking my dog one night along the river and the sun was going down. As I was walking past, the fountains started up so I took my iPhone out and took a photo. It turned out pretty nice but it was only an iPhone photo and I know I could enlarge it more than 8x10 so I went back a week later without my dog and created more images with my Nikon. After some PhotoShop work I really like the way the colors in the sunset pop. I've made a 20" x 30" canvas and this image could be enlarged to 40” x 60”.
Dayton Metro Library Art Installation
ReImagining Works
Art Installation At The Dayton Metro Library - Wilmington-Stroop Branch
ReImagining Works is a partnership between the Dayton Metro Library and The Dayton Art Institute to acquire original artwork for each of the Dayton Metro Library’s newly built or renovated branches. Giving creativity a central place in the “re-imagining” of the traditional role of the library, the Library is offering regional artists the opportunity to create a new work inspired by an artwork held in the permanent collection of The Dayton Art Institute. Bringing two of Dayton’s iconic institutions together, both places of discovery, inspiration and knowledge, ReImagining Works pays homage to artistic traditions of the past while creating art for the future.
After two years of effort, Dan Cleary's art piece at the Dayton-Montgomary County Kettering-Stroop library can finally be revealed. This art piece is called “Kettering, Deeds and Delco” and is based on the 50 year business relationship between Charles Kettering and Edward Deeds. It is located in the community room of the library. There was a large crowd and speeches by many dignitaries. The librarians asked if I could give them a description or key to this piece because they were already getting many questions about it.
The panel on the left has a photograph of a group of men called The Barn Gang. Edward Deeds worked at NCR Corporation and around 1906 hired Kettering straight out of college to work on electrifying the cash register. Kettering was so successful that Deeds invited him to do research for the automobile industry at his carriage house at Deeds home in Dayton. These people became known as the Barn Gang. The original Deeds barn is located inside the Carillon Historic museum. A replica of the Deeds barn is on the grounds of Carillon Historic park. I have used the Deeds barn as the background to my art piece on all three panels. At the Deeds barn Kettering invented the electric started for automobiles. Deeds and Kettering formed a company called Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company or DELCO for short to manufacture the starter. I have used Kettering’s original patent drawings for the self started in the left panel.
The center panel has a photograph of a group of men standing on the wing of an airplane. In 1917 Deeds, Kettering and Orville Wright formed a company called the Dayton-Wright Airplane company to provide airplanes to the military for WW1. Up to that point in time wings of airplanes were hollow and cloth covered. This photograph was to show how strong the solid wing of the RB-1 airplane was. The patent drawings in this panel are of the Bug Bomb that Kettering invented for the military in 1919. The bug bomb was a radio controlled aircraft and the world's first aerial missile. A forerunner to todays cruise missile. The war ended and the bug bomb was never used. A full size bug bomb is on display at the US Air-force Museum.
The right panel has two photographs. The left image is of Kettering and Lovell at the General Motors Research Corporation. And the right image is of Deeds and Kettering in 1951 after many years of friendship. DELCO was purchased by General Motors and Kettering became vice-president of General Motors Research Corporation in 1920 and held the position for 27 years. While at GM Research Corp. Kettering patented many inventions, including refrigeration, heat exchangers, thermostats, gasoline additives and many more. I have included parts of many of his patented during this period of his life in this panel.
The final part of this three panel triptych is the roof line of the Deeds Barn at Carillon Historic Park. This branch of the pubic library is located very close to where DELCO had it’s factory in east Kettering. To me this represents all the thousands of jobs Kettering and Deeds were able to provide with their companies and inventions. Those jobs provided people with employment and “a roof over their head’ for their family.
Professional Business Headshots
Are You Looking For A New Professional Business HeadShot?
I received this political postcard in the mail and thought “Very nice professional portraits”. They are nice because I did them. I have been doing the professional headshots for The City of Dayton for over 24 years. Every four years after the election they call me and I do a new set of professional portraits of the Commissioners and Mayor. I also create a group photograph that they use for historical purposes. In the Commission chambers there are framed displays of all the Commissioners going back 50 plus years. I have been adding to that history for many years since I have created six photographs to add to the frames.
My clients keep calling me to do their work because of the quality of my work. If you are looking for a new business headshot give me a call and set up an appointment.
Boy’s High School Senior Portraits
Boy's High School Senior Portrait Session
I want to thank Fabio for coming in to have his high school senior photos created by me. Like most high school senior boys this wasn’t on the top of his list of things to do. He graduates in a few months and is ready to move forward onto the next big thing. The funny thing is how much these photographs meant to his father. When his father came in to pick up the finished photographs he almost got a tear in his eye. I could tell his father wasn’t the kind of man to cry but he also know that this was the end of something in Fabio’s life and the next chapter wasn’t written yet. I’m glad I could help commemorate the ending of a successful high school education. Fabio has a long life ahead of him with many adventures. Congratulations and good luck with the future.
