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.

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 20^th century with contemporary images of his creation taken in the 21^st 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

“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

How to get a beautiful high school senior portrait

Posted on August 15, 2014August 15, 2014 by cleary

I want to thank Olivia for coming in to fill out her modeling portfolio. The trick to getting beautiful photographs done is just a little planning. First, make sure to bring more than enough clothing changes. That way I can look at your selections and let you know what will photograph the best. Next don’t go heavy on the make-up. Less is more in photographs and you want to look as natural as possible. Let the photographer do their job with lighting and then retouching. Finally, don’t be nervous. Relax and work with the photographer. As long as there isn’t a rush, which at this studio there never is a rush because each person receives at least an hour photo session, you can be your self.

High School Senior Boy Outdoor Portrait

Posted on June 11, 2014June 11, 2014 by cleary

A good friend of mine asked if I could take his son’s high school senior portraits. His son is great at golf and baseball. Two sports that are dear to my heart as well. I talked with the senior boy’s mother to come up with a plan and to find out exactly what they wanted. I always like it when my clients have interesting ideas and I get to go above and beyond the normal “high school senior portrait“. Her idea was to go to the exact places that he spent the most time during high school, the West Carrollton High School baseball field and Pipestone golf course in Miamisburg Ohio. She wanted good portraits, not action shots and she had the idea of trying to tell a story showing her son with both sports. I like it when my clients asks me to stretch my imagination. I also like when my client tells me I accomplished exactly what she wanted and more. Thank you for letting my tell your son’s story in a photograph.

By Dan Cleary of Cleary Creative Photography Dayton Ohio

Commercial Location Photography Dayton Ohio

Posted on May 27, 2014May 27, 2014 by cleary

I’ve been doing professional photography for many years and it’s always nice to do some on location commercial photography. Clear Channel Airports from Allentown Pennsylvanian called me to see if I would like to create some photographs for them at airports close to me. They needed photographs at the Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland airports. Clear Channel Airports manages all the displays at about 300 airports around the world and they needed to update their portfolio of images. Clear Channel needed photographs with people in them and it took a couple trips to each airport at different times to capture everything they needed. In the end their comment was “We received and reviewed all the photographs from each airport and they are perfect. Exactly what we wanted. Thanks for all your help.”

Well thank you Clear Channel, I look forward to working with you again.

By Dan Cleary of Cleary Creative Photography in Dayton Ohio.

How important is a family portrait?

Posted on May 21, 2014May 21, 2014 by cleary

I received a phone call like many I have had. “Hi, I would like to find out about a family portrait”. I like to find out as much information as possible about the family before they come in for a portraits. Who am I photographing? What are everyone’s age? Are there little kids, grandparents? The woman who called said her mother had breast cancer and she wanted a family portrait while she still felt good enough to come in. I was amazed how good the grandmother looked and how much love this family had for each other. We should all be this lucky to have a loving, extended family. Two sisters, with their children and their parents. I delivered the portraits as quickly as possible because I knew the Grandmother wasn’t doing well. When my client picked up the portraits she told me her mother was at Hospice and I felt very sad. Later that day she called me crying because she showed the portraits to her mother and everyone at hospice cried they looked so good. How important is a family portrait? These portraits are priceless. These are the kind of clients I love and these are the kind of families I love to work with.