DANIEL BAGAN
DOGS
My focus has shifted from automobiles to dogs Before I spent five years photographing the sleek lines and bold curves of classic cars, I began my career in the quiet focus of a portrait studio. Capturing the emotion and essence of people has always been at the heart of my work, and one of those early portraits now hangs in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, a humbling milestone I'll always treasure. After decades of commercial and fine art photography, I've come full circle—this time with four-legged subjects. Today. I specialize in studio dog portraits, creating soulful, enduring images that honor the love and personality of your best friend. From the polished chrome of vintage vehicles to the soft fur of a senior dog, I've learned that every subject has a story, and my purpose as a photographer is to help you see it, feel it, and remember it. Now based in a quiet, intimate studio here in Northeast Florida, I've downsized by design—choosing to focus on meaningful, heartfelt work that brings joy to both me and the people (and pups) I serve. If your dog is part of your story, let's capture it beautifully and forever.
PORTRAITS
GLORIA STEINEM & DOROTHY PITMAN HUGHES
In 2017, I had the honor of photographing Gloria Steinem and Dorothy Pitman Hughes as they reprised their iconic raised-fist pose, originally captured in 1971 and recognized worldwide as a powerful symbol of unity between Black and white women in the fight for racial and gender equality. The portrait was later acquired by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, joining their permanent collection, and exhibited at the Museum of the City of New York in Beyond Suffrage: A Century of New York Women in Politics. It was also unveiled at the University of North Florida, where Dorothy Pitman Hughes lived and continued her activism. Even decades after their original pose, Steinem and Pitman Hughes brought the same energy and conviction to the session. What struck me most was the wisdom and grace in their presence—this wasn't just a reenactment; it was a reminder that their message is still urgently needed today. "The women were fully engaged in that moment," I remember. "Their power hadn't faded—it had evolved. "Their lifelong friendship and shared fight for justice continue to inspire. I'm proud to have played a small part in capturing that legacy.
AUTOS
BOOK NOW
45 min
195 US dollars
ABOUT
Daniel Bagan is a photographer, filmmaker, songwriter, and storyteller based in St. Augustine, Florida.
His creative career began behind the camera, working with film and developing an early appreciation for the honesty and timeless character of black-and-white portraiture. As photography evolved, so did his work—embracing bold color, digital techniques, and a more contemporary visual style while never losing sight of the story behind the image.
For five years, Daniel built and operated one of the premier automobile photography studios in the Southeastern United States, creating distinctive, high-impact imagery for the automotive world. He later returned to portraiture, exploring the unique connection between people and their dogs and creating photographs that are less about posing and more about personality, relationships, and emotion.
Today, Daniel’s storytelling extends well beyond photography. Through filmmaking, songwriting, music, and personal stories, he explores the experiences that shape a life—identity, aging, fear, loss, love, faith, resilience, and the sometimes uncomfortable process of discovering who we really are.
Whether the medium is a photograph, a film, a song, or a story told from a stage, the goal is much the same: to create something honest enough to make people stop, feel, and perhaps recognize a little of themselves in it.
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