If you’ve been following my personal style posts for a while now, you might recognize the name Daniel Kelleghan. Or if you pay attention to the best photographers in Chicago, you’ll definitely know his name. Who doesn’t love to look at pretty pictures? Although when it comes to Dan, his photos aren’t just pretty…they’re truly incredible.
I first met Dan when he shot for this Habitat For Humanity event I participated in a few years ago. Right around then is when I decided to take ChiCityFashion full time and it also happened to be during the time Dan wanted to venture into more fashion photography. If it weren’t for him, the What Why Where category here on CCF might not even exist. And because of that category, it’s expanded my brand into more than just writing; it’s given this site an original visual component I wouldn’t have otherwise. So with that said, Dan isn’t just an ordinary photographer, he holds a special place in my HEART…which is why he’s the latest CCF LOVES (get it?)
Now, Dan is basically famous. He travels the world (and sometimes with his gorgeous model girlfriend in hand), he takes on amazing projects in all parts of the country, and overall just does a bunch of really cool stuff that we can all envy while following along on Instagram.
http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n612/chicityfashion/2013/dddd/90777c882e01b18eb10383e22d11bf6c.jpg
What impresses me with Dan so much is his eye. He can see something that I would never think would look cool, and he makes it look unreal. I remember we were shooting in Millennium Park a few years ago, and with that location, there’s so much you can do with it. But Dan saw this one area with a angular shadow and made that the focal point of the shoot. And the pictures turned out awesome. Even something like this (see below) I wouldn’t see in person and be like OMG I HAVE TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THIS (it’s not breakfast, after all) but that’s why Dan does what he does…and is damn good at it.
So now after you know how much I love this guy, let’s have a chat with him.
Why did you choose Chicago? What makes you stay here / what do you love most about it?
I chose Chicago because my family is from here and I’ve grown to really love the people in Chicago. I travel a lot so it’s good to have home base where I can live relatively cheaply compared to the other major cities in the US but also still enjoy an urban lifestyle.
Top three favorite things to do / see in the city?
This is a hard one! Right now I really been finding myself at Soho House a lot and I really enjoy the community there. As far as bars go, I’ve always been a huge fan of Danny’s in Bucktown because of the low key vibe, cheap drinks, and shameless dancing. I have to say for the third thing, I really enjoyed exploring Pilsen a lot. I moved here a few months ago and I’ve really been trying to get to know the neighborhood and understand its history. I always have so many questions when I walk around because I see things that pique my interest and I want to learn more about them.
Most memorable moment in your career so far?
The top moment in my career was definitely when I got my first magazine cover about 5 years ago. I was shooting primarily BMX bike riding back then and there was nothing more that I wanted in the whole world! I still remember going to the store, searching for it and finding it!
Words of advice for someone trying to get into your field?
This might be the easiest question for me actually. I went to school for photography and it’s one of my biggest regrets. It forced me to have a giant debt when I finished school, which limited my ability to do what I really wanted to do right out of school. I’ve made the best out of it, but not everyone is as lucky as I am. If you want to become an artist in general I would highly recommend not going to school for it, but instead find people you trust that you can bounce off ideas with, as well as creating a community of critiques. Also, to make it as an artist it really is all about who you know. As much as I’d like to say the best photographers get the best jobs, that isn’t the way it always happens. I know of a bunch of photographers who have gotten really well-paying jobs and their work, at least to me, is subpar. Also on the other hand there are are extremely talented photographers that don’t have good networking skills and are struggling trying to pay their bills.
Favorite photo you’ve ever taken and why?
My favorite photograph that I’ve ever taken was taken three years ago when I rode my bicycle from Chicago to Detroit and back. Its of an opossum that I found in the middle of the road that had just been painted over by the construction company that paints the centerlines. I saw it when I was riding by it and decided to turn around and shoot some photos of it and I realized how impactful the photo was to me as I shot. The fact that the people who painted the lines probably saw the animal in the middle of the road and still painted over it was a metaphor to me for how some people live their lives. They glide through and they don’t try too hard, and they have limited ambition. I never want to live life like that. It reminded me to be aware of what’s around me and to always strive for more then what my job title may entail. I never want to be average and I’ll stop at nothing to live the life that I want to live.
As well as finding the beauty in what we might not think is beautiful at first sight, Dan is also quite amazing at shooting interiors. He even shot interior designer Stephen Young’s condo (a previous CCF Loves feature!) and this one of my favorites from the shoot.
There are endless photos of Dan’s I can share with you but you’re better off checking out his website or following him on Instagram. Literally everything is Pinterest-worthy…
First image by Cara Llewellyn, all others by (you guessed it) DANIEL KELLEGHAN
Leave a Reply