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}
hugh - dan o’friggin’day. such a beautiful session.
Kristian Leven - I absolutely love the mood in these pictures. Antithesis of the cheesy engagement shoot. If I was ever to do shoots like this, well, this is pretty much how I’d do them.
Rebecca - This captures them so well! Love these two. Amazing photos. Gave me chills.
Chelsea Parsons - yep… awesome! Loving all the dark shots, so much mood.
lisa - yep. amazing.
Scott - beautiful man.
Jonas Seaman - Love this soooooo much!!
Katie K - Freaking AWESOME work as always Dan.
Christine - me rikey. a lot. :)
Jess - I believe you are one of my photographic heroes! I love the depth of your work!!!
Andrew Cahill - These are beautiful, creates such an awesome feeling.
Tim - Dude, as always – fantastic. But I’m compelled to ask, did this dude borrow your shirt for the shoot? ;-)
nate kaiser - bagnargnars.
caroline lee // a woodnote - DANNY! when i selflessly gave jayden MY dream pressie for his 30th (this shoot with you), i had a vision in my head of what the outcome would be, but this is SO MUCH BETTER than what i saw in my head. these are the once-in-a-lifetime shots that we’ll giggle and cry over for the rest of our days, and hope our future offspring will remember us by them; as eccentric, quirky, laughing, kissing lovebirds captured by you. we’re so over the moon you’re our friend. thank you, thank you, sir. we love you. xx
marina - I want a forever session!!!!
Albert Palmer - Love the ones of them lying down in the field – stunning
Catherine - Beautiful people, beautiful images.
cassi kennedy - love love love LOVEEEEEE THESE!!!!!!!
Laurine Lee - I’m so in love with this. I also love that not only did my clothes make it… but my gorgeous Harper Lee saying hello from the old Merc. Gorgeous. I think I love you Dan.
Meli - It is like watching a romantic movie…
john warren - so much gold !
michelle - goodness gracious me, dan o’day.
bettina - Love this story, always sooo good Dan O’Day.
Sheridan - Beautiful, so beautiful :)
Derek Ho - So very cinematic !
Alyda - Oh I love these two so much Danny and you’ve captured them perfectly. Genius. Xxoo
Molly - Holy freaking goodness! Absolutely exquisite! :)
Sarah Williams - Love love love – amazing Dan : )
john benavente - ballin’
mae - Dan- these are great…so raw and fresh. just beautiful.
matt sloan - i love this couple. i love you.
Lyndzee Ellsworth - DANIEL!!!!!!! Just stop it already. I can not wait for the day that you capture Roger and I. (ahhh, someday) These are stellar. And Caroline is beautiful beyond words.
You go girl!
Julianna - So beautiful!!
Marryam Lum - So beautiful, you are too amazing :)
nirav - I love the feel of these images my friend. You rock my world Mr. Dan.
michele bowman - these are intimate, personal and just absolutely lovely in every way. i just love how you see things and use the light around you.
Anna - I love what you see! You are magnificent!
mitch - this is why you are the best! jonas who? sean who?
Pierre - In france we said : “pétard de bon de dieu de bois que c’est beau !!”
pretty much mean : “i m in love of your work !!!!!”
Matt - Love the way you use black. I thought photography was all about light? ;o) And your editing is just beyond. Thanks for inspiring me while I’m editing a wedding.
Tamara - I think I’m more in love with them than they are with each other after seeing this. *sigh*. you work blows my mind. xx
film / fashion friday: or, what to wear to our photo shoot » Woodnote Photography Blog - [...] stylist, or even simply have someone else do your hair + makeup. When our friend Dan photographed us in Australia, I had the lovely Lou help me out with my hair/makeup, not because we have an endless budget, but [...]
Julianna - I wish I was there too :)
fer juaristi - crazy good my friend. Keep rocking.
jeff marsh - the one-eye photo. unreal
Andria Lindquist - the ones at the end, w the pipe…man. i’d like to see what you’re like on these, looks like a blast.
Joyce Alexander - I love that your work always emphasizes that real life is beautiful. Your work is proof.
Amy J. - You are a master of capturing light. I’d pay good money for a photo lesson from you on light…absolutely stunning work!!!!!!
Oli Sansom - Hot man. Beautiful stuff head to toe. Hopefully see you Ms Blake for the Oct workshop.
Stew - I’ve somehow stumbled back for a third looksey.. months later.. the first time was I was in disbelief, shock, speechless. Second look, still haven’t figured out the words to tell you how good this is.. Dan’O the Man’O. I still don’t know what to say! :) *sigh*
You suck at this, you should quit while you’re ahead :D lol
Stew - PS. I wish I knew you when Bec & I got married. :)
PPS. Don’t tell our photographer. :)
Temecula wedding photographer - I have only shot two weddings solo, but seeing your images is truly inspiring. You’re photos f***ing rock. They make me want to get better with my camera, and probably make me a better person by roughly 8%. Cheers!~Ryan