Profile of photographer Dan Epstein who adds meaning to Mother's Day in the portraits that he creates.

1. 10 SUBURBAN ESSEX MAGAZINE April 2009
I
t’s a transcendent moment during many Mother’s Day
fundraisers by Suburban Essex’s senior photographer,
Dan Epstein. In a sudden release of pent-up grief, or
with a few simple words, the subject, unprompted, will
often reveal how breast cancer has touched her life.
“It often happens right after the shoot,” says Dan,
who asks only for a donation in any amount to Susan G.
Komen for the Cure breast cancer organization. “Suddenly
she’ll tell me, ‘My best friend… she died two years ago’ or
‘Did I tell you about my aunt?”
Danlistens,hisheartopenwithempathy,untilhervoice
drifts off. Then he shares his own loss; his mother lost her
battle to cancer in 1990. How often do these stories
emerge? “Surprisingly often,” Dan says. Whether softened
by time or heartbreakingly fresh, that loss is part of what
brings many women and their families to Dan’s Montclair
studio on Mother’s Day for the Vicinity Media Group-
sponsored event.
With more than 20 years of experience and a degree
from the School of Visual Arts, Dan is respected for the
warmth, intimacy, and honesty of his photographs. He
began as a fashion photographer but “that scene was not
for me,” he admits.
He switched to shooting food ads until the morning
he stared into the mirror as he was shaving, “And I
decided that the face staring back at me should never
shoot another blender.” And he hasn’t. Though he still
loves food photography, “If I had to do one thing, it’s
people—because I like people.”
He began fundraising portraits on Father’s Day in
1995. “I realized that it had been five years since my own
father died,” he recalls, “and five years since I became a
father myself.” He he phoned a few friends, but so many
showed up he didn’t take a breath all weekend.
Over the years Dan has been a regular contributor to
VicinityMediaGroup,takingawidevarietyofphotographs
for inBiz, Suburban Essex, and Vicinity magazines. With
his ability to capture the events in action—as well as the
emotions and the often unnoticed truth of the moment—
Dan has been published in Time, Parade, TV Guide, and
The New York Times Magazine, among others.
Then in 2004 Dan began shooting Mother’s Day
portraits, a profound tribute to his mother, who passed
away within months of his father. All the money raised all
goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure; Dan gives freely of
his time, talent, materials, and creativity.
And he gives of himself—perhaps why the subjects
reveal their stories to the easygoing man behind the
camera, who can coax laughter from the most sullen of
14 year olds, and evoke a world of feelings.
Of all the Mother’s Day stories, Dan recalls most
vividly a woman who waited until after the portrait, then
glanced at him and said simply, “My sister.” Dan met her
eyes and replied: “My mother.”
“It was the most powerful moment I’d ever experi-
enced in all the years I’ve done these portraits,” Dan says.
This year Dan will offer his Mother’s Day portrait
benefit on Sunday, May 10 at his studio at 49 Church
Street, Montclair. Reservations are required as spots fill up
quickly. Call 973-783-5149 after May 1.To view his work,
visit www.danepstein.com.
It’s no surprise that while he’s photographed the
famous and the infamous, from Mike Wallace to Mike
Tyson, Dan prefers to work with regular people. “My
favorite subjects are families and people about to become
families,”hesays.Findoutforyourselfwithanunforgettable
Mother’s Day portrait. 
Let Portraits
Add Meaning
to Mother’s Day
Evocative artworks
capture families, feelings
Art of Essex
By Naomi Kenan
t’s a transcendent moment during many Mother’s Day
senior photographer,
Dan Epstein. In a sudden release of pent-up grief, or
with a few simple words, the subject, unprompted, will
often reveal how breast cancer has touched her life.
“It often happens right after the shoot,” says Dan,
who asks only for a donation in any amount to Susan G.
Komen for the Cure breast cancer organization. “Suddenly
to Mother’s Day
capture families, feelings
Photographer Dan Epstein in his Montclair studio