Dan Mars

Portland, Oregon

My favorite subject matter is my family. For composition, techniques, and overall aesthetic, I find inspiration from Koudelka, Frank, Bresson, Erwitt, W. Eugene Smith, Parr, Iturbide, Yofred, and Robert Adams; but for me, photography is primarily a way to capture my life and love as a father, husband, and family man: family first, photography second. Photography is not, though, just about creating a record; the practice and act of photography fundamentally shapes how I experience and relate to my family. It’s an act that I continue to refine after successes and failures. I think most photographers would agree that pursuing photography very passionately is somewhat at odds with being a dedicated parent and spouse, but I’m trying my best to figure it out.

This is my first time to show my work in a gallery. I was tempted to share some of my greatest hits over the years, but the challenge of submitting only ten photos led me to my family’s recent addition of our first dog; and for this cat lover turned cat-and-dog lover, that’s been a story to capture. ... And, as a photographer, I didn’t mind one bit that my boys named her “Shadow.”