I come from a very artistic family. My Dad is an oil painter and sculptor, my brother Luke is an amazing sketch artist and painter and my brother Adam is a talented satirical cartoonist. Megan, my sister and Mum (my mother) do not have an artistic bone between them, however we still thank they are lovely and try to include them in family activities wherever we can :). Up until 2005, painting was also my major artistic outlet until eventually a camera replaced my paintbrush and creating art through photography became my primary passion.
It's been a few years now since I had the realisation that photography was going to be a huge part of the rest of my life and here I am, a full time professional photographer fortunate enough to be doing something I love for a living, specialising in Fine Art Photography and, of course Wedding Photography (with a twist).
Documentary could be described as the technique I use when shooting my weddings. I love to tell stories through imagery - to deliver a visual narrative. My influences in paint and contemporary art contribute to a smaller but just as important part of the capture process. I put everything I have into everything I do, simply because I don’t know how do it any other way.
I am a fully accredited Associate member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) and to date I have been fortunate enough to have my fine art Illustrative work exhibited extensively Australia-wide and held in collections as far away as London.
So that's my story, I would love to hear yours.
AWARDS
2011 - AIPP Australian Creative Photographer of the Year 2011 - AIPP ACT Wedding Photographer of the Year
2011 - AIPP ACT Illustrative Photographer of the Year
2011 - 8 Awards of Excellence - WPPI, Las Vegas
2010 - Voted Top 5 Emerging Austrlian Wedding Photographers - Capture Magazine
2010 - AIPP Ilford Trophy Recipient - Highest Scoring Print, APPA
2010 - AIPP ACT Professional Photographer of the Year
2010 - AIPPACTIllustrativePhotographeroftheYear
2010 - AIPPACTWeddingPhotographeroftheYear
2010 - AIPP ACT Highest Scoring Print Award
2009 - AIPP ACT Illustrative Photographer of the Year
2009 - Finalist in the National Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize 2009 - ACMP Trampoline Projections Finalist
2008 - ACT AIPP Runner up Illustrative Photographer of the Year
2008 - ACT/NSW AIPP Print Awards – 3x Silver and 1x Silver Distinction
2008 - Best Photography L’Oreal colour Awards
2008 - Selected as part of the Off The Wall ART08 Sydney Emerging Artist Showcase
2008 - Selected as part of the Off The Wall ART08 Brisbane Emerging Artist Showcase
2007 - Recipient of the Canberra Critics Circle, Photography Award
2007 - ACT AIPP Print Awards – Silver and Silver Distinction
2006 - City News, Solo exhibition “Still” Rated Top 5 ACT Gallery Shows of 2006
2006 - Recipient of the Huw Davis Photoaccess Emerging Artist Grant
2005 - Selected for the Avant Card, “Calling All Artists” Program
2002 - Placed 1st in the National Family Planning Photographic Awards
{The artist responsible for taking my dashing portrait is the wonderful Samm Blake}
Zoe - Oh Dan…..if I was told that I was only allowed to ‘like’ (in a facebooking kinda way) one persons work…forever more, I think I would have to pick yours!! WOWZERS!!! Love love love the above – big time! Thank you for sharing it x
Rog - rog was here.
john benavente - super cool couple and location! looking forward to the wedding post
Lyn - Amazing work, made me want to laugh, and cry and I almost feel like they’re old friends. So intimate.
Dayna - Amazing Amazing. Very much so.
Katie K - Holy crap!!! This is phenomenal Dan! So much feeling and intrigue and so compelling. Possibly my most favourite work of yours yet I think!
Lexie - Oh my Dan… Simply amazing!
Jason - Oh my. the whole thing is amazing, but those last 3 frames. OH MY. awesome work Dan.
Tyler Branch - ahh so refreshing to see new work of yours. always great dan.
romin - wow wow.
ALMA - shalagalawizaawiwiWOW!
Michael Wachniak - If today was “Opposite Day”, this would be the worst post. Ever. seriously though…amazing, Dan.
Payal Sehgal Mahajan - I can see that you are really enjoying yourself, Dan. Love this body of work! beautiful images.
Tracy - you are the best storyteller out there. Love them
Thea McGrath - ahhh Mr Oday – these are blowing my mind my friend – love love love but most love the set of them on the floor and you shooting above….. you just filled my (boring) day (in my new office job) with light and inspiration xo
Jakob - Duude. That is so awesome.
Stew - wow! i did an engagement shoot yesterday, & i won’t be posting it now!!
Thommo - BROTHER! Talk about knocking it up a notch! These are simply stunning!
coler - Jakob just sent this link my way after he went through the post three times.
Now I’ve gone through it three times.
Incredible.
Anya - I don’t think it gets any better than this. Thanks for sharing
Robyn Geering - WOWOWOWOW, you amaze me every time.
Sandy - um. wow!
michelle - these are stunning. and breathtaking. and what a beautiful day. and kudos to the tag “Big Fancy Tree with people in it” from another non-tagger :)
caroline lee - dan. DAAAAAAAN!
are you KIDDING me, my brother?
you have a gift, sir. in a world saturated with photography and visual images, it is really outstanding. i’m so amazed.
we must have you. must.
oz. soon. its a date?!
xo
Trish - Dan you are so very awesome. These are raw and real and just loverly :)
caspix - Beautiful beautiful work <3
Steve Elmer - F*&$in’ awesome dude!
Andrea Ellison Photography - OMG…What Zoe said !
David Robertson - You strip people down to the core with your imagery and unravel them in a way that no one else could do. So very very impressive
Wouter - This is one of the best engagement shoot iv’e seen in a long time!
Justin - Brilliant series of images Dan! Love the lighting, the sweet moments captured, and the final colouring in your images. Very awesome & inspiring :-)
samm blake - you are so talented my dear friend. i would like to wear your eyeballs for a day and see the world how you see it. xoxo
simon - I’ve just started shooting and that’s inspiring. tres cool
Holly - I love them all!! There were very lucky to have you do their session – every image tells a story!
Narrelle Joy - I don’t think I’ve ever commented on your blog before, but felt compelled to this time. This is quite possibly my favourite blog post ever. So rich in story and emotion, and the realness of just being.
The first black and white of them laying in the grass, with the sunflare behind them – speechless.
Mandy Campbell - Holy fricking wow Batman! (Er, Spiderman?) Beyond incredible, I’ve actually lost the ability to string words together. You’re a magician.
kyle hale - Woah. Image 34 maybe the best portrait I’ve seen this year
Nils - AMAZING!!!!!! Goosebumps!!!!!
nik pekridis - Totally new “point of view” mate :)Kudos !
Still wait from you to create your profile @ http://www.pws.gr :)
Julian Beattie - Fantastic as per usual, Mr Day! And these two are awesome – Obviously .. I mean, just look at the dudes name! ;P
Jesse Pafundi - Just an incredibly emotional set of frames. Wow.
Teresa - Freakin’ amazing! So so stunning.
alyda - is this the raddest couple ever? yes they are. lucky they have the raddest photographer ever. loves.
Falcon - The tone, the colors.. oh my!
James Moes - Such style.
David Lee - Dan, this images are astounding! Not only is this a rediculously stylish couple, but you took these images to and in some case beyond fine art. I don’t envy the couple in trying to pick their favorites. You really did an incredible job capturing the feel and style of Julian and Amy. What a fun couple, what a fun shoot!
Sarah Williams - So. In. Love. with these x
Bek - Finally!!!! those last few (please don’t take this the wrong way), little people photos have at last jogged my memory since I saw your presentation at the wedding workshop in Melb….am I wrong? Does Jeffrey smart inspire you? Too lovely:)
mitch huntley - holy shit! your eye is paramount! probably the best set ever by anyone!
fer juaristi - there´s just a natural beauty on your work.
Ariel Renae - these are breathtaking.
Jason starr - I lost my nut on these pictures! Dan the man O’Day
gemma - A-MAZ-ING
one of the most incredible series I’ve seen in a long time. Beautiful work.
Mary Kathryn - Genius
Jeff Adams Photography - Simple, fresh! Grear ideas!
Brian Terry - Well done Dan. BT
Janet Palmer - Dan O Dan O Dan… how you kill me with your images, but mostly inspire me to get where I want to be…
I’d love you to come and photograph, husband and our crazy house one day lol
nirav - Incredible work man! Love the connection you guys had
Kell - MaN oh MaN Daniel O’Day. Have I told you lately that I think you’re great ;) Sorry for the late coming visit.
Anna - Stunning! The light – wow! The red dress – wow! Absolutely breathtaking!
David Ferguson | Brisbane - I would be looking forward to this wedding too. What an interesting couple with a really unique style. I look forward to seeing their wedding captured superbly by you! These are fantastic by the way, love your work.
mae - wow.
PJ Photos - this is so good!!!
Ieva - Wow just beautiful!
Pobke - i’m speechless… this is beautiful dan. really really beautiful. i don’t really know what to say. they’re stunning.:)
Cols Thorpe - Dan! Your crazy fan here! I am waiting to see your wedding pictures of this couple.. :)
Julia Manchik - Really really really like this shoot. Loved all the couch shots, and then that fabulous tree!
jeff marsh - frick
Ailsa - amazing! images full of inspiration, thank you for sharing
Teresa Dickson - Stunning images and a cool couple!
Love Snippet #1. Amy ♥ Julian {Mr & Mrs Unique} | paper + lace - [...] When I found these photos of gorgeous couple Amy & Julian over at Mr & Mrs Unique I just had to share a few with you. Photographer Dan O’Day is a genius. Want more proof? More wedding pics here. Engagement pics (and Dan’s blog) here ♥ [...]