Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Klein.
Hi Dana, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My childhood dream was to grow up and become an artist. Dreams do come true. I have been a pencil portrait artist for over a decade. My drawings hang in homes all over the world in places like Australia, Hawaii, and Belgium. Now, I take photos too.
Ten years ago, I picked up a camera and intuitively infused my love for art into my photography. Over the years, my experiences with people from all backgrounds solidified my passion for telling visual stories. I don’t just take a picture. I create captivating images that evoke emotion through my subjects and tell a story– their story.
Growing up, I was 1 of 4 kids. As a shy, quiet, little girl in a large, often loud family, I sometimes felt unheard and unnoticed. The only images that hung in our home were those posed group photos we all have with matching outfits and forced smiles. I thought I can do better than that. Much better!!
So. I decided to start my photography business with the knowledge that I wanted to help children feel noticed and special within their families through art.
When you walk into a home, the walls should whisper (and sometimes shout) your family’s story and celebrate each family member’s uniqueness. This is us.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I first started pursuing my creative career I was a new mom of two sets of twins. Yup, you read that right! One of the biggest struggles, in the beginning, was juggling motherhood and my business all under the same roof. As you can imagine, daily life was messy, crazy, and sometimes chaotic but being able to escape to my creative cave helped me stay sane.
Perhaps it’s the DIY’er in me but I was convinced I could do it all. Shortly after burning the candle at both ends wearing way too many hats, I had to learn to let go and realize that it was okay to ask for help. Letting go and finding balance has been a total game changer!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m currency focused on designing and creating custom wall portraits and albums for my clients to showcase in their homes. With my fine art background, I offer a very different take on traditional portrait photography where my passion is to not just take a photo but to create unique, powerful images that stand out.
I’m most proud of the projects and fundraising events I host each year within my local community. These events shine a light on topics such as : youth mental health awareness and the emotional healing after a breast cancer diagnosis. I’m currently working on my breast cancer project called Project SHINE, in order to grow a collection of powerful images to publish in a book. I’m actively seeking help from individuals and corporations to sponsor this project. Please reach out if you have an interest in helping and making a difference in the breast cancer community.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I firmly believe that if you don’t take risks you’ll never know your potential. Now I’m not saying it’s easy, it’s not. But I’ve had several mentors over the years show me that on the other side of our comfort zone are great things.
For most of my career, I’ve jumped in with both feet and a full heart and it’s worked out. I don’t always have the perfect plan mapped out or all the pieces of the puzzle in place, but I know I just have to START. As Marie Forleo always says, everything is ‘figureouttable’. And as my former mentor, Sarah Petty, always said, “Imperfect action, beats perfect inaction.’
If you don’t take risks now you’ll look back with regret and wonder, what if?
Contact Info:
- Email: dk@danakleincreative.com
- Website: www.danakleincreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danakleincreative
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danakleincreative
Image Credits
Dana Klein Creative
