Dana Downs

Food network tv chef

One of the best parts of my job is the travel, but every now and then, an assignment comes in just down the road, and it’s a welcome change of pace. That’s exactly what happened with Dana Downs. You may know her from The Food Network, but she is also a fantastic restaurateur owning an Italian restaurant just a few miles from my house, which I frequent regularly. 

Although I’ve seen Chef Dana around town for years, we’d never actually met. As soon as I walked into the restaurant, her vibrant, goofy energy made it clear this shoot was going to be a fun one. We set up my mobile studio, talked through the game plan, and got straight to work, peppered with breaks to sip some wine she kindly served. Even though she’s not usually in front of a still photographer like myself, Dana nailed it right from the start. It was clear she was enjoying herself and really getting into the moment. 

Before the shoot, Dana had sent me a lookbook with examples of my previous work she liked, along with ideas she knew would work for The Food Network. But that didn’t stop us from veering off-course and capturing some spontaneous shots/ideas, which added a fun, natural vibe to the day. 

The chemistry between us was immediate. We had a blast during the shoot, then went out for drinks and dinner afterward, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit to her restaurant. Clearly, a friendship was forged. Dana’s not just a talented chef—she’s a great person with a bright future with a second career ahead, and it was a pleasure working with her.