Dan McClanahan Workshop Wrap Up

Photography has to be one of the most demanding professions when it comes to ongoing education. Every aspect of the photographic process has a workshop, online class, or training available to refine and improve skills.

I’ve attended plenty—both online and in person—but Dan’s class was in a league of its own.

The Open Meeting: A Fresh Perspective on Photography

Tuesday night’s open meeting offered a fresh, millennial-influenced take on photography today. After years of traditional success in a retail location, Dan shared how he took a step back from the traditional "Old School" sales structure to reassess what he truly loved. He thought about new ways to make a solid living from it, and what his clients really wanted.

For example, instead of immediately selling large wall portraits after a session, he found success in providing clients with digitals they could enjoy first—then reconnecting with them months later to explore artwork options for their homes. His approach wasn’t just about sales; it was about aligning his business with his life, his family needs, and values.

Dan didn’t just tell us about his journey—he gave us a roadmap to explore similar possibilities in our own businesses. His process was eye-opening, even for seasoned photographers.

And his images? Absolutely inspiring. They carried his signature touch—blending flair, humor, and a deep curiosity for storytelling. If you want a glimpse of his incredible work, check out his Instagram here. (link)

Workshop Day: Creativity at the Hotel Del Coronado

Rainy, dark, and cold—that was the scene at the iconic Hotel Del Coronado on workshop day. But no one seemed to mind. We were too eager to learn.

Two shooting areas were prepped at the front of the room, setting the stage for a day of creativity. Dan kicked things off by demonstrating his go-to lighting techniques using four lights. Delaney, dressed in a pink dress and knee-high boots, brought a striking "living doll" aesthetic to the first setup. The second setup featured Ethan, styled with a rich Elvis/’60s musician vibe. The contrast between the two setups was striking—different lighting, angles, and storytelling techniques made each portrait uniquely compelling. Then, the floor was open. Attendees could step in, shoot, share ideas, and experiment. The room buzzed with collaboration.

After a leisurely lunch, Melanie Robertson introduced two of her senior ambassadors as models, styled in classic fashion to seamlessly blend with the Hotel Del’s historic interior. We moved the workshop into the hotel’s upper mezzanine, where Dan demonstrated how to find fresh angles and creative perspectives—transforming ordinary settings into extraordinary images.

Adding colored gels into the mix elevated the upscale look even further. A highlight was learning how to light a subject in front of a window, keeping the shadows and dimensional aspects in tact. In this case, the window was a large rectangle of incredible stained glass.

We carried this innovation into the main ballroom—currently under renovation—where Dan led a few clever setups using a large wall mirror as a backdrop. The day wrapped up with a group shot, but Dan wasn’t finished yet.

Back in the workshop room, he reviewed a few of the images we had just taken, shared additional insights, and even squeezed in a quick retouching demonstration—all while encouraging questions. He made sure we were full to overflowing by the time we departed.

Standout Vibe: The Power of Collaboration

One of the biggest takeaways from this training wasn’t just the knowledge—it was the spirit of unity in the room. Some of the best photographers in the area were present, yet egos were left at the door. Everyone was there to learn, share and grow. The atmosphere was equal parts calm, thought-provoking, to stimulating, and rich with curiosity and excitement. Dan set the tone, and we all embraced it. It was wonderful.

Takeaways Quick Tips:

Sometimes, laying a large, silver reflector on the floor in front of your subject is sometimes all you need to bump up the eyes, under chin and lower area to even overhead 45 degree lighting.
Dan’s way of engaging with his subjects was just as important as his technical skills. His fun, curious and playful nature kept his models at ease, resulting in natural expressions and open body language. Something worth trying!
When working with multiple catchlights in the eyes, the brightest should always be at the top.
When using multiple lights, test each one individually before combining them. This way, you understand the impact of each light before finalizing your setup.
Outdoors, an octobox mimics sunlight as a catchlight; indoors, square softboxes replicate window light.
You have more control and options with a boom stand when creating butterfly lighting.

Special Thanks:

PPSDC extends heartfelt thanks to Cheetah Stands for providing incredible equipment for us to use. Charles went out of his way to bring all of his wares. Reach out, he's there to help!

As a special bonus, they’re offering a discount to PPSDC attendees ($50 off) and members (10% discount using the code "PPSDC" when ordering.) Take advantage of this!

Additional thanks to:

Rosalind Guder for her generosity in providing gear, assistance and a special discount on CamRanger (wireless tethering). (link)
Bill Sandke for sharing his room, and wonderful knowledge of Hotel Del’s history and happenings.
Michelle Pennings for her gear, setups and providing the terrific morning models.
Melanie Robertson for beautifully styling the afternoon session, and her afternoon models.
Cindie Wolf, thank you for bringing Dan to us and orchestrating the many moving pieces of this event to reality.
To ALL of our incredible models—you brought the vision to life!

This Workshop was Sponsored by

Check Out Cheetah Stand Here

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