“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera." -Dorothea Lange

Hi! My name is Daniel Flanagan and I am a wedding and portrait, landscape and journalist photographer with a focus on natural light. Photography means the world to me and allows me to express myself in ways not otherwise possible. The world around us is full of stories waiting to be told; I want to be the one to tell some of these stories. My ultimate goal through photography is to use my camera to make people happy, and I am so thankful that I have been able to explore this and live it out throughout my life!

I grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan as the oldest of eight and have been toting a camera around since before I can remember. While my early childhood interests had more to do with trucks, machines and tools than photography or anything artistic, I do have vague memories of looking through and studying issues of Popular Photography and National Geographic. It wasn't until early high school, though, that I began receiving an outpouring of positive feedback for my craft. From there I decided to invest into a quality camera and lens and officially began this wonderful journey.

Over the course of the past decade I have fallen in love with natural light and never cease to study the works of the great photographers of the 20th century. Photography allows me to tell stories, interact with others and forever freeze moments in this beautiful creation that is life! While I strive to never loose sight of this intent and purpose of photography, I have recently expanded my horizons to fully embrace everything digital and currently work with top of the line camera bodies and lenses, computers, software and printers.

I am still reside in Kalamazoo, Michigan and am available to travel pretty much anywhere.

Ten facts about me:

Growing up I spent a week or two each fall tent camping in Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula, right along Lake Superior. Whitefish Bay and Sault Ste. Marie are two places that are very near and dear to my heart.

I was born in Massachusetts but have lived here in Kalamazoo pretty much ever since.

Aviation was my life throughout middle and high school, taking and later assistant teaching classes and summer camps at the local aviation museum. But recently I took up sailing because flying is too expensive (though I still fly radio control airplanes). Who woulda thunk? At least a lot of the principles still apply.

What's that, you ask? Oh, I see. I actually shoot Nikon AND Canon!

Music is my other love. I proficiently play a few common instruments and dabble in many more. Now, anyone want to give me a beat up cello?

Australia is a BEAUTIFUL country! Enough said.

I have had a camera in my hands since before I can remember. Let's just say that digital was more than welcome by the time it reached me in 2003 because there would be weeks when I would shoot a dozen rolls of film. Now I find myself being drawn back to film, albeit medium and large format. Go figure.

Someday I would very much like to travel to the central plains to photograph severe weather, storms and storm systems.

In my free time I enjoy choir, chocolate, astronomy, reading, flute, running and tennis, among other things.

My biggest influences in the visual arts are Ansel Adams, Chase Jarvis, Moose Peterson, Jim Reed, Scott Kelby, Jack Brauer, Shelley Paulson & Tim Willoughby.