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This is where I share the stories behind my images. You’ll find posts about specific photographs from my galleries — the ideas, inspiration, and process that shaped them — along with reflections on photography itself as I continue to create new work. The galleries and print store will grow over time, and so will this blog. I hope you’ll explore, leave your thoughts in the guestbook, and return often to see what’s new. Echoes in Steel: Brutality and Beauty
October 12, 2026
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Exploring the different suits and pieces of armor, I was struck by the amount of effort that went into adding beautiful details to something with such a brutal purpose. In reality, armor is drenched in brutality. It was meant to protect the person wearing it in battle, certainly not to be fancy dress. Somehow, though, many of these pieces also touch on the artistic beauty that's the complete opposite of that brutality. This was meant to stop a sword from slicing into the person wearing it or a mace from smashing someone's bones. Apparently, there's no reason you can't look good at the same time. For this image, I wanted to bring out that contrast. I chose a tighter crop to concentrate on the decoration and craftsmanship, while still leaving enough of the armor to remind you what you're actually looking at. Beautiful, yes. But ultimately, it's beautiful protection from something pretty damn ugly. Echoes in Steel grew from an opportunity through the Worcester Art Museum Members Council to create photographs for auction at its annual members gala. As a thank-you for that opportunity, and to support the arts, I’m donating 50% of the profits from print sales in this series to the Worcester Art Museum.
In Passing: Architectural Curves
October 07, 2026
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I think part of that is because I don't necessarily want a permanent, literal reminder of everything I saw. I like having to think about it again later and remember what stuck with me. The museum itself is different. Photographing the structure has become something I do almost everywhere I visit. Staircases, ceilings, windows, hallways, railings—I'm always looking at how the building itself contributes to the experience. This balcony was one of those moments. It could have been a perfectly functional straight railing, but someone took the time to give it this wonderful sweeping curve. I like museums where the building feels like part of the art rather than simply a box holding it. I'm curious—when you visit a museum, do you photograph the art, or would you rather leave with your memories of it?
Travel Stories: Hanalei Beach
October 04, 2026
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For our 10th anniversary, my wife and I spent a week in Hawaii—a place neither of us had ever been. As we planned the trip, it quickly became clear that each island has its own personality. We’re not really drawn to nightlife or crowds, so Kauai—the Garden Isle—felt like the right fit from the start. The week delivered everything we were hoping for. Hidden waterfalls reached by ATV, swimming in freshwater pools, even a zodiac boat ride in six-foot swells—equal parts thrilling and questionable decision-making. But this image comes from a quieter moment. Hanalei Beach. The surf was rough, whitecaps rolling in one after another, but what stood out wasn’t the water—it was the stillness. There wasn’t another person in sight. Just the sound of the waves and the rhythm of the shoreline. We ended up sitting there for close to an hour without really saying much, just taking it in. Standing there, it’s easy to understand why some people connect this place to the “Hana Lee” from Puff the Magic Dragon. Whether that’s true or not almost doesn’t matter. There’s something about the place that feels familiar in a way that’s hard to explain—like it belongs to a story you’ve heard before. This wasn’t perfect light. Not golden hour, not a dramatic sky. But it didn’t need to be. This image isn’t about capturing the “best” version of the beach. It’s about holding onto that moment—the quiet, the space, the feeling of being somewhere that didn’t ask anything of you except to sit and look for a while. Love this image? Add it to your wall. Click the photograph to explore available print options. Echoes in Steel: The Sentinel
September 28, 2026
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Even though I know this suit of armor is empty, it still strikes me as a guard, standing watch over the rest of the exhibition. Yes, I realize I'm personifying a suit of armor, but I can't help imagining him making sure none of the other pieces are damaged or mistreated. What also caught my attention was how restrained this particular suit feels compared with some of the others. There's ornamentation, certainly, but large portions of it are simply functional. Even the openings in the helmet are minimal—just enough for the sentinel's eyes. For this photograph, I wanted to capture that sense of stoicism. Rather than concentrating on the ornate details, I pulled back and photographed the overall form, letting the posture and profile become the focus. Echoes in Steel grew from an opportunity through the Worcester Art Museum Members Council to create photographs for auction at its annual members gala. As a thank-you for that opportunity, and to support the arts, I’m donating 50% of the profits from print sales in this series to the Worcester Art Museum.
In Passing: Waiting Chairs
September 24, 2026
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Where we come together is plopping down somewhere and taking in the view. Sometimes we talk about what we've each seen and interpreted along the way. Sometimes we don't talk at all. We just sit. I went to Moore State Park specifically to photograph a few areas I'd had in mind, but these connected Adirondack chairs weren't on the agenda. The moment I saw them, though, I could picture the two of us sitting there doing exactly that. Maybe that's why I photographed them. When you're exploring somewhere with someone else, do you tend to experience it together, or wander off and come back together like we do?
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All images are © Dana Lane Photography, all rights reserved
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