Since we moved to Orange County from Santa Barbara a few years back, we’ve had the privilege of getting to know a lot of wonderful families.

The Root’s in particular have been close to my heart for a number of reasons.

First, they are one of the pioneer families at our church who sacrificed much for the sake of being part of a movement that is changing the world.

Second, Lauri’s husband Doug died a few years before I joined in at the church and I have been hearing the stories and pictures and lore of a leader bent on making a difference. As many of you know and can relate with, I also grew up without a dad. To witness the ways Lauri (and all the other single mom’s like her) is leading her boys into adulthood is a true gift (yes, this is a total shout out to my own mom… love you!).

Needless to say, when Lauri asked me to shoot their family portraits this year, I was stoked. We decided their home at One Ford Road in Newport Beach would be perfect. They actually live just a few streets over from our good friends Julie and Mike Colón. I think I should feel honored she chose me or maybe she just needs to get to know her neighbors better.

JD and Timmy are such great guys. They are also all male. To be candid, I think they were far more interested in wrestling with each other than in getting their pictures taken. So, I think my stock went up when I told them they could do both.

We all live under the reality of our mortality. Especially in seasons like these where circumstances seem so fragile, can I encourage you to pause for a second and go love on those you love most right now? I hope you’re blessed for it.

Thanks Root family for living life the way you do. You inspire!

- Dane

I’m speaking this Thursday at the Long Beach PUG. Even if you aren’t a Pictage client, I want to invite you… for FREE! The only catch is we need you to RSVP. That’s it!

**CLICK HERE** I hope you can make it!

Also, everyone who buys my book gets a FREE eBook included automatically. Audiobooks get it free too and also get their pDNA and download immediately and no shipping costs.

The holidays are here!

- Dane

In my book, I dreamed about a 24 hour cable TV show dedicated to photography.

Then, when fantastic resources like Photography Mentor and The B School came along, I was convinced my vision was happening sooner than I thought. On the heals of individual efforts like the Simple Photo Minute in the early days of video podcasting (as well as the more updated and upcoming AskDane.com), these pioneers have begun to create mass amounts of content to really drive where we’re headed.

Now it’s looking like another significant player has arrived with the announcement of The Photography Network.

Led by industry icons, Denis Reggie, Bambi Cantrell and Joe Buissink, this is sure to make a dramatic addition to the learning landscape. I was excited, humbled and a little surprised to be included in their promotional video (click The Concept in the lower left when you go to the site) but am really glad to be seen as someone playing a part in the leading of our incredible industry. And as Seth Godin says, lead we must!

These are extraordinary times to be a photographer and gaining access to the best and brightest will really help to raise the stakes for all of us.

Super stoked!
- Dane

Truth #1: Family pictures are the best when they reflect reality and tell a story.

Truth #2: Not everyone in Orange County has a 949 area code (… some, like the Scott’s, are 714).

Truth #3: I wish everyone lived their lives out loud like the Scott’s do.

Shooting the Scott Family is a tradition I look forward to every year. Why? Because they are a family bent on not settling for the status quo. They are committed to pushing the limits on living life in all the right ways… not just for themselves but for those they are blessed to do life with.

For them, this year was marked by community. Not just those they chose to be around, but those that were around them whether they liked it or not. As we were brainstorming the traditional (and gorgeous) beach and beauty shots that Southern California is known for, it became apparent pretty quickly that we needed to do something a little different with their picture.

It turns out that a big chunk of their Fall revolved around them building a skate ramp and opening their home to the neighborhood. Despite the (self-confessed) stretch from what they were comfortable with, they decided to drop in on real life and love their neighbors even when it wasn’t cozy. From all accounts, the reward for that kind of “life for their neighbor” was nothing short of adventure. Kids with absent parents started dropping by. Pizza night for overwhelmed parents showing up late was common. Life (and love) happened because of a skate ramp and a family who cared enough to disrupt ordinary and do the extraordinary. So, they wanted their Christmas card to reflect that reality. And so, we lit up the night and kept it real.

How will your year be remembered?
- Dane

PS… It’s hard to believe that wedding season is largely complete and holiday picture taking is in full swing. If you’re interested in having me come shoot you and yours (with a camera), send me an email asap so we can get you dialed in before it’s too late! Thanks!!