Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Bartos.
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?
I was born and raised in Ortonville, Michigan, and later moved to Alaska, where I graduated from the University of Alaska with a degree in Radiology, followed by a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences from Florida. After the passing of my older brother, I returned home to Michigan and reconnected with my now-husband, who had actually been an old high school boyfriend. I worked in the Radiology Department at Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for five years before marrying and starting a family. When our first child was born, my husband and I decided it would be best for me to stay at home and raise our kids.
During my pregnancy with our first, my husband bought me my first camera. At the time, I wasn’t very interested in using it, he ended up using it more than I. Fast forward three years, we had two boys, and I started using the camera more to document their childhood and take holiday photos. An old friend from work played a big role in turning my hobby into a side job. She would always comment on my photos, saying they had a Norman Rockwell-like quality and that I should consider doing it professionally.
In 2019, I took the plunge and decided to start my photography business. I began with Christmas mini sessions and small photoshoots for friends. In the fall of 2020, my son started T-ball during the height of Covid, and the town’s photographer had quit. Wanting to capture my son’s first T-ball season, I took individual and team photos and offered my services to other families. My photos weren’t perfect, and I definitely didn’t know what I was doing with sports photography, but I was happy to have a keepsake of my son’s first season.
In 2021, when my son joined soccer for the same township, a friend who was the director asked if I would step in as the photographer since they hadn’t found a replacement for the previous one. My daughter was only one month old, and I nervously agreed. Sports photography was a whole new world—there were order forms, payments, hundreds of kids, and a fast-paced environment. Looking back, I kind of feel like I owe an apology to the parents I worked with that first year. The photos weren’t terrible, but they definitely weren’t great either!
The photographer I replaced at the township was actually the same person who took my baseball photos when I was 7—though I won’t mention just how many years ago that was! I have a photo of my son playing for the same team that I did, Papa Bella’s, at the same age, and now I’m his photographer. I’m heading into my fifth year with Brandon Township’s recreation league, capturing photos of all their basketball, soccer, baseball, and flag football events throughout the year. I also became the dance photographer for the local dance studio, Lynn’s Dance, in downtown Ortonville. Lynn, the owner, is my mom’s best friend and has known me my entire life. It’s such a joy to work with her and help showcase her dancers’ talents, capturing how awesome and beautiful they all are.
In 2024, I added a new chapter to my journey by becoming the photographer for the local travel baseball team, The Michigan Blackhawks. I love working with these kids, many of whom I’ve photographed since their first T-ball season. It’s such a fun experience to see them grow year after year, though I must admit—I’m terrible at remembering names! Last year, I also dove into composite photography, which involves blending two or more images together to create something entirely new. It’s like creating artwork with their portraits! While composite work is time-consuming, the final results are so rewarding.
Alongside my sports and dance photography, I also do family and senior sessions, which are some of my favorites. I love working with seniors and giving them the attention they deserve, highlighting their personalities, interests, and hobbies. I especially enjoy when they bring in their dogs, horses, cars, or guitars—it really adds a personal touch to their photos and shows who they are. I’ve also done one small wedding as a favor for a friend. It was an incredible
experience, and some of the photos are still among my favorites, but wedding photography isn’t something I favor.
Looking back on my relatively short photography career, it’s fascinating to see how far I’ve come. What started as taking pictures of my kids evolved into capturing other families’ and kids’ memories. I have a few families who have been with me since the beginning, and man, I am so grateful for them. It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m excited to continue growing and learning along the way.
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?
Currently I am struggling to find time! I homeschool my two oldest. It’s a hybrid-homeschool program, so they’re in school two days a week, but the other days I get to put on my teacher hat. With the demands of schooling my own children, my boys (9 and 7) also play for the local travel baseball league. Finding evenings to photograph is becoming challenging, we have baseball 4 days a week. I’m the type of mom who does not want to miss out on my children’s activities, I refuse to miss a game. My daughter is also starting sports, so there goes another day, lol.
Imposter syndrome is also very real. I struggle with not feeling good enough, not booking enough, not getting enough inquiries. But I’m slowly realizing that comparison is the thief of joy and need to just celebrate those around me booking out and doing awesome. I also don’t have the time to be as busy as they are, I cannot be a full time photographer, and there is enough work for all of us (photography is a very saturated field), and my people will find me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Sport-traits and senior sessions are my favorite. During sports season, I see hundreds of kids, and I love seeing them all, it’s my social life, lol. Senior sessions are different. They’re more intimate. I get to hyper-focus on details and showcase them. These are photos they will have for the rest of their life, they need to look good. I also love small family sessions. Snuggling babies, children’s laughter, the in between moments when families are just having fun and not posing for the camera. However, I am one of those photographers who will take the well posed, look at the camera and smile photos, I want both!
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The small town feel, love me the country roads, just not the pot holes. I grew up here, (Goodrich is the northern neighboring town), most of my clients are from Ortonville and Brandon township is in Ortonville. My address might be Goodrich, but my heart is in Ortonville. It’s where both my husband and I grew up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danareneephotography.me/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danareneephotograph
