Episode #140 - Dan Fenstermacher - Photographer

For photographer and educator Dan Fenstermacher, photography is more than documentation—it is a philosophy of presence, humor, and human connection. From the busy streets of Tokyo to quiet corners of San Jose, Dan captures moments that are layered, unexpected, and deeply personal. His work sits at the intersection of activism, storytelling, and everyday life, always seeking to reveal something authentic, even quirky, in the seemingly ordinary.

Dan earned his MFA in Photography at San José State University and is now Chair of the Photography Department at West Valley College in Saratoga, where he continues to inspire students and document campus life through a lens of curiosity and care. His commitment to capturing the overlooked extends beyond teaching, with ongoing projects and zines; his current zine series is focused on everyday life at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Ultimately, he believes it is about finding meaning in ordinary places.

In this conversation, Dan describes the role of photography in his life as a spiritual and social practice, how teaching students keeps him inspired, and how even something as small as handing someone a Polaroid can foster real connection.

Follow Dan’s work on Instagram @danfenstermacher or visit his website at

danfenstermacher.net.

Dan was most recently featured as a 2023 Content Emerging Artist in Issue 15.3, “perform”

He was also featured in the Spring 2019 Issue 11.1, “Sight and Sound.”