Full-service storefront studio creates credibility

In 2009, husband-and-wife team Dan McClanahan, M.Photog., and Alex McClanahan founded McClanahan Studio in Ames, Iowa, where they met as students attending Iowa State University.

By 2012 the couple was able to purchase a 12,000-square-foot commercial building in the Ames historic district, which they remade into their dream studio, installing a new storefront gallery and remodeling vacant spaces to be rented. Now the McClanahan’s live and work in the fully rented building, balancing landlord responsibilities for nine tenants with their studio workload.

© McClanahan Studio

Dan and Alex McClanahan with daughter Nova

“Having a physical presence in the heart of Ames has really boosted our brand credibility and helped us differentiate our product from our competition,” says Dan. “Having a fully stocked camera room is becoming more of an asset as competitors increasingly become location-only shooters. Our facility allows us to be one of a few full-service studios that appeals to a discerning clientele by delivering finished heirlooms instead of solely digital files.”

To spend more time with their first child, Nova, the McClanahan’s stepped away from wedding photography and refocused their efforts on high school seniors and commercial photography. Dan now handles the shooting and post-processing for the studio while Alex heads up communications, sales, and product design.

“Our only real goal right now is to provide the best work we can for our clients and to be a positive influence in our community,” says Alex.

The McClanahan’s will deliver a session on senior workflow at Imaging USA 2017 in San Antonio.