Dan Lior Photography

04/09/2026

A Kind of Living
℧

They lived just outside the Bob Marshall wilderness, though it would be more accurate to say the wilderness lived in them.

The land had a way of shaping a man without asking permission. It required only that he stay, and that he endure.
Most didn’t. But those who did learned quickly that comfort was a thing that softened you,
And softness did not last long out there.

The family had been there long enough that the work no longer felt like a choice. It was simply what the days required. Horses were broken the way mornings were broken, early and without ceremony. Meat was hunted when it was needed. Fences were mended because they would not mend themselves.

The children learned this before they knew to question it. You could see it in the way they carried themselves,
small and steady, already belonging to something larger than their years.

They believed the land was given to them, though it gave very little freely. Still, they stayed faithful to it, just as their creator intended, and in return, the land offered something harder to name. Not comfort, not ease, but a kind of certainty.

And in a place where the sky never seemed to end, that was enough.

11/21/2025

The trailer for Assynt is out!

The Scottish wind carries many scents, salt, peat soil, and above all, crisp mountain air. The far-northern Highlands are a place you don’t easily forget once you’ve been there. Ruined castles, red deer stepping gracefully across the hills, shaggy Highland cows, and, in the distance, tiny cottages standing alone against landscapes that make you think: “I could live here.”

We ended up there because Noam “Nofi” Genet is crazy. About two years ago, someone left a random comment on a YouTube video he uploaded a single sentence: “If you are ever lucky enough to find yourself in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland, look me up.” And with that, a door quietly opened.
That stranger invited us to come and tell the story of Assynt, the place he calls home. We arrived with cameras and good intentions, and left googling how much a small plot of land in northern Scotland costs. That’s what happens when a place gets under your skin.

But for all its beauty, the land carries a painful history. In the late 18th century, the Industrial Revolution reached Scotland. Local lords realized that sheep were far more profitable than growing crops and so began a dark chapter known as The Highland Clearances. Around 150,000 people entire families were forcibly removed from the lands their ancestors had lived on for generations. In return, they were given tiny, infertile plots called Crofts, usually near the sea on harsh, rocky ground. For years they worked with bare hands, digging out every stone to make the land barely usable. Even today, next to old cottages, you can see enormous mounds of stones buried under soil and moss quiet monuments to the suffering of those who lived here.

Today, fewer than 1,000 people live in Assynt descendants of the displaced families alongside “incomers,” folks from the cities who left behind noise and pressure for a life of peace and nature. We spent our nights on the land of Stewart Yates, the man who originally sent Noam that message. Stewart built us a canvas bell tent with a wood-burning stove and warm sleeping bags. He’s a man with a huge smile and a contagious passion for fishing. He introduced us to Lewis MacAskill, a direct descendant of the area’s original inhabitants, and together they took us on a journey of nature, fishing, whisky, and beautiful conversations with the community that chose to live here.

One day we spent time with Anna MacTaggart, a sheep herder who commands her dogs as if she’s holding a remote control. A whistle, a call and within seconds, the flock is back in place. We watched her facing the wind while her dog Glen sprinted from point to point, gathering stray sheep. It’s knowledge passed down through generations not written in books but through the work feet, hands, and breath.

Then there’s Marc the potter, who creates cups, bowls, and vessels from the minerals and clays he digs out of Scotland’s ancient earth giving his work a look you can’t find anywhere else. There’s Chris, who carves spoons from driftwood worn down by decades of wind and cold, always leaving a tiny heart from the original trunk as an homage. And there’s Jorine, who spins wool the old-fashioned way with an antique wooden wheel. Each of them shaped by the land and giving something back to it.

What struck me most was how similar this community is to others I’ve visited in the Amazon, or even the small forgotten American towns. It all hinges on one simple thing: children. If the young ones don’t stay, there’s no school. And without a school, there’s no community. And when you grow up in a small place, the world seen through the bright screens of social media looks big, shiny, and irresistible. That’s exactly where the danger begins.

One of the most beautiful moments of our journey was a night by the fire, deep in the Scottish wilderness, by a quiet loch at the foot of Mount Suilven. There, as we sipped hot cholcate (with a dash of whisky) Lewis told us that the last time he sat in that exact spot, was when he was 15 years old sitting with his father. Now he was there with his own son, Murdo. One generation leaves, another arrives, and the land remains, holding memories.
Assynt isn’t just a place. It’s a way of life, it's gentle, quiet, profound.

A way of life that could vanish the moment the next generation chooses to leave.

Not with a bang.
But with silence.

Assynt will be released on December 1st.

08/21/2025

Big Sky country 🌄 Montana, I miss your mountains. A few frames from the documentary I filmed out there.. More on that soon.

06/26/2025

📍 Flashback to 2017

Early in my career, I was sent to Tanzania to shoot a short adventure film for a tourism company in the Serengeti.

While crossing the plains, my guide spotted a cheetah and pulled up beside a rugged, heavily modified vehicle. On the back was a bold sign that read: “FILMING - DO NOT FOLLOW.”

Sitting on the roof was someone who, in my eyes, might as well have been the coolest guy I've ever seen. He exuded quiet confidence, the kind you only get from years in the wild. He lit a cigarette, sat calmly behind a camera rig that probably cost more than his entire vehicle, and waited for the cheetah to wake from its lazy slumber.

I wanted to ask him, “How did you get here? How do you get to do this for a living?” But I stayed silent. Maybe out of respect. But more likely because I was holding a modest 1DX II with a 70–200, and he looked like he was filming for the BBC.

I never forgot that moment.

Fast forward to this year (and last), I had the surreal honor of filming a few episodes for Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom (now called Protecting the Wild), one of television’s longest-running nature shows.

I'm certain I haven't reached Serengeti guy’s level of cool just yet... But being out in the field, telling stories that matter, and doing the kind of work I used to dream about, It’s a reminder that maybe I’m on the right path. And maybe, just maybe, I’ve earned 10% of the cool.

05/15/2025

🎬 New Film completed: Assynt

I'm pleased to share that my latest short documentary I've created alongside Noam “Nofi” Genet has completed post-production and is now entering the festival circuit.

'Assynt' marks a shift from my previous work. There is no drama, conflict, or sensational arc. Instead, this is a film filled with atmosphere, memory, and what it means to belong in a place that remembers. It's about preserving a way of life that may disappear not with a bang, but with the quiet departure of a generation.

While I'm busy finding a home for this film, I'm excited to share Assynt's new trailer.

05/08/2025

As part of my ongoing photo series A Deep South Story, I just released a new project on Adobe’s Behance. This chapter recounts my time traveling the backroads of the Deep South, where crosses appear not just on churches, but on hilltops, in forests, beside highways, and on crumbling buildings. To some, they may feel eerie. But to those who live there, these crosses hold layers of meaningful faith, folklore, memory, and mystery.

Take a look at the full project here:

Photography, Photojournalism, Fine Arts, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop

03/27/2025

Swallowed by Fog: A Deep South Story has just been featured on Adobe Behance. This photo series is a surreal journey through the hidden roads and quiet corners of the Deep South. A place where mystery hangs in the air like the fog itself.

I'm incredibly grateful to see it recognized on such a creative platform.

Go check it out

Photography, Fine Arts, Photojournalism, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop

12/19/2024

Five apps to enhance your body and mind

When I started my journey into filmmaking, I spent my first years mastering the skills I needed to become a good filmmaker. However, as I learned to run a business and build my brand, I quickly realized that the success of my business was closely tied to my personal well-being. Things like stress, burnout, mental fatigue, and physical aches all began to take a toll. Ignoring these warning signs led to declining output and ultimately affected my quality of life.

Through my journey, I discovered that improving and maintaining my mind and body wasn't optional—it was essential. I learned that life is a work in progress, and the phrase "How we do anything is how we do everything" became a part of my identity. This idea suggests that the effort and attention we put into even the smallest actions reflect in all areas of our lives, emphasizing the importance of striving for quality in everything we do. This led me to understand that optimizing ourselves, even in the most minor ways, ripples out to every aspect of our lives.

Today, we live in a world where there's an app for just about everything, many of which promise to help improve different aspects of our lives. But with so many options, how can we sort through the noise? As someone who’s on a constant journey of self-improvement, I make it a point to explore at least one or two new apps each month. Once I find an app that truly benefits me, I integrate it into my workflow. Here are five apps that have genuinely made the most significant difference in my journey.

1. Meditation

My journey of self-improvement began around 2017, and one of the first habits I picked up was meditation. With an attention span akin to a golden retriever puppy, I quickly realized that meditating alone didn't come naturally to me. That’s where meditation apps came in. My first experience was with Headspace, which made meditation incredibly approachable.

Meditation, like any skill, takes time to master. When I first started, I struggled. But now, after years of practice, I genuinely crave my morning meditation. Those ten minutes each day have helped me become more mindful and calm throughout my daily life. After almost seven years of meditating, I find it difficult to go a day without sitting down and finding that space. It’s been one of the most significant contributors to my mental well-being, and I can’t recommend it enough.

While I love Headspace, I have experimented with many other excellent apps, like Balance and Calm (which even used some of my footage for their HBO series narrated by Mahershala Ali!).

2. Todoist

Todoist is, without a doubt, the backbone of my workflow. While many to-do list apps exist (like Things, Asana, or even Apple Notes), Todoist stands out for me because of its intuitive interface and intelligent language recognition. The ability to write down a task like “In two months, follow up with Alicia” or “Every Thursday at 3 p.m., post on Instagram” helps keep my mind clear and my workflow organized.

The key to effective task management is writing everything down the moment it pops into your head. This clears mental space and reduces stress. Each night, I review my tasks for the next day, limiting myself to three to five items to avoid overwhelming myself. I've also learned that larger tasks must be broken down into smaller, manageable steps. Todoist also allows you to use a color-coding system to prioritize each task to make sure you tackle them in a smart order. Todoist isn’t just an app; it’s my safety net. Managing a smart and efficient to-do list has been the most important step I've taken to stay productive.

3. Opal

Ever find yourself picking up your phone to check the time, only to realize 45 minutes later that you've been scrolling endlessly? That’s where Opal comes in. It’s my go-to app to break the cycle of mindless social media use. Opal lets you choose which apps you want (or should) limit. Once set, these apps are blocked during your designated focus times.

The beauty of Opal is that it isn’t just a harsh blockade; it’s a gentle reminder. When you open the app, it gives you a timer, letting you take a moment to decide if you really need that break. The app also offers insights into your reclaimed time and enables you to compare your productivity with friends—a subtle nudge to keep you on track. Opal has been a game-changer for me, freeing up hours that would have otherwise vanished into the social media abyss.

If you do decide to try Opal out, please use this referal code "EDM3R" for a 1 month free guest pass! https://applink.opal.so/invite-friend?rc=EDM3R&rId=NCtFL8frpUUvANn5qUVNakX4m8C3&rNme=Dan1985

4. Daylio

The importance of journaling for mental health is well-documented, and Daylio has been my go-to for capturing my day-to-day thoughts. Unlike traditional journaling, Daylio is quick and easy. You start each entry by ranking your mood, writing down a few sentences, adding photos, and even tracking custom habits like hydration or morning stretches. Over time, Daylio builds up useful statistics, helping you spot patterns between your activities and your mood.

I've been using Daylio for over a year, and it’s both fascinating and satisfying to scroll back through months of entries, complete with photos, and read up on what I've been up to during a specific day in the past. It also confirmed what I obviously suspected: that days spent with low phone use, high productivity, and time in nature and with family are my happiest. Taking just five minutes at the end of each day to reflect has had a significant impact on my mental clarity and well-being.

5. Yuka (US Only)

Yuka is a straightforward app that has genuinely transformed my family’s approach to food. It works by scanning products at the store; whether it’s a snack or a beauty item, the app gives you a health score based on factors like sugar, fats, additives, and other ingredients. If a product scores poorly, Yuka not only explains why but also suggests healthier alternatives.

The first step we took as a family on our health journey was to eliminate products with dangerous additives, such as high fructose corn syrup and artificial food dyes. The results were almost immediate—we lost weight, felt better, and became more aware of what we were consuming. Yuka opened our eyes to how much junk is hidden in everyday products and pushed us to find healthier options. As far as I know, Yuka only works in the US, but I highly recommend checking if there’s a similar app available in your country.

These five apps have played a significant role in my self-improvement journey. They’ve helped me become more mindful, more organized, more focused, and healthier. The journey to bettering ourselves can often feel overwhelming, but sometimes all it takes is the right tool to make the process just a little bit easier.

11/21/2024

I’m excited to announce a Black Friday Sale starting today—offering 70% off all prints.

Explore the collection at https://www.danlior.darkroom.com and choose a piece that speaks to you. Then, use code BLACK at checkout to claim the discount.

🌍 International shipping is available.

11/14/2024

Last May, just before I headed out to Tornado Alley, Fujifilm X Series US sent me the GFX 100 to try out during my storm chase. Up until then, I hadn’t had much hands-on experience with medium format, and I was curious to see how it compared to my own camera. To be completely honest, it blew me away!

Photographing with medium format feels entirely different — there’s this unexplainable depth, a texture to it that’s hard to put into words. Shooting with the Fuji felt fresh and unfamiliar in the best possible way, almost like I was starting all over again as a photographer.

One of the most striking aspects was the incredible dynamic range. The latitude I had in post-processing was such a surprise. Shadows and highlights held so much detail, and I pulled tones and textures out of places that would have been lost with my regular setup. The level of fine detail just seemed perfect for the vast, dramatic landscapes of the plains and it made so many of my shots feel like they were already fine-art prints, straight out of the camera.

Shooting medium format is a different beast: slower, more deliberate, and more demanding in the best ways. And it’s got me seriously contemplating where I want to go next with my gear choices. 🌪️