“My goals as a photographer are like those of many fine artists—to draw emotion from the audience using visual imagery. People, especially children, are favorite subjects because my photography can serve to add depth to their personal expression in that moment.  My experience as an educator has been invaluable in teaching me the importance of patience in making the right connection with a subject to create memorable art.”   

Donna Cantor Maclean has been a commercial photographer and a professor of photography since 1985.  Donna taught photography as a tenured professor at Gallaudet University for 17 years; she has instructed at American University, Trinity College, and The Corcoran School of Art.  Donna currently teaches at The Holton Arms School.

Donna’s career has included a long engagement with Washington, D.C. Children’s Hospital, where she captured the joy and pathos of the Hospital’s young patients, to Africa where she shot “Children of Change”, a highly respected series on the youth of South Africa. Donna’s portfolio boasts a long list of celebrities on behalf of her work for The Kennedy Center, USO. And other numerous public relation firms in the DC area.  She’s very comfortable around famous personalities, have worked with Desmund Tutu,Lucille Ball,Bob Dole,Daniel Day Lewis,Bob Hope and many more. 

Donna’s colleague Annie Liebovitz has had an influence in her work, as well as fine artists Frieda Kahlo, Georgia O’Keefe and Edward Degas.

Donna has a BA in Communications from The American University and an MFA in Photography from The George Washington University.  Donna studied with Sally Mann and Bruce Wolff, at the Maine Photography workshop.