DAN & ALEX MCCLANAHAN
We are the husband/wife duo of Dan and Alex McClanahan. We married after graduating from Iowa State University in 2008 and founded McClanahan Studio around a simple concept: Capture people according to their vitality by communicating with light, color, interaction and imagination. We never anticipated how much this would resonate with others! We are blessed that our daily tasks involve participating in the biggest life highlights of our community members.
These days we are rediscovering the world every day as we raise our two kiddos, Nova and Stetson. You can find us regularly adventuring with them in Downtown Ames. They have helped us develop a deeper appreciation for the printed photograph as we have watched them interact with photos in our home: “Mommy, are you and dad laughing at me because you love ME?!” “That’s my grandma and grandpa! I want to live at their house forever!” Our son has a rare metabolic disorder called PKU and in 2020 we restructured our business to allow Alex to better care for his dietary needs. She wouldn’t admit it, but she’s a culinary wizard and expertly uses cooking as an expression of love. If you ever find yourself seeking a cause to support, please consider NORD as they have been a great help to us in caring for his medical expenses!
Outside of work Dan’s creative outlets are drumming and photographing for himself.
RECENT ACCOLADES
2020 Featured speaker for Adobe at Imaging USA
2017-19 Team USA in the World Photographic Cup
2018 Bronze Medal at the World Photographic Cup
2018/2019 Senior Style Guide "Icon Status" for winning multiple categories in the Hot 100 contest
WPPI 1st place Landscape photograph 2017**
WPPI 1st place Commercial photograph 2017**
Grand Imaging Awards: 1st place Artist 2017*
Grand Imaging Awards: 1st and 2nd place Senior Portrait 2016*
1st pace Rangefinder Magazine senior photo contest 2016
Winner of Chimera Visionary Campaign 2016
Grand Imaging Award: 1st place Wedding Album 2015*
10 x PPA International Photographer of the Year*
Cutest Photographers in the Universe***
*Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition
**Wedding and Portrait Photographers International
***Dan’s Mom
INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
We have educated thousands of photographers around the country at workshops and conferences, notably giving five different platform presentations at Imaging USA covering all aspects of our workflow. We’ve been featured multiple times on the cover of Professional Photographer Magazine and appeared several times on PhotoVision Video. Dan has also been a guest on many of the industry’s most popular podcasts. We have a combined five degrees from the Professional Photographers of America, and Dan is one of the youngest photographers on record to receive all three degrees attainable from the Professional Photographers of America: Master of Photography, Master Craftsman and Master Artist. Dan was inducted into the Society of XXV in 2017.
Contact the studio if you're interested in having us speak at your industry event!