In this photo by Dana Atherton, her sons Evan and Elliot work at their lemonade stand. (PHOTO/DANA ATHERTON)

MADISON – Dana Atherton has opened Sunshine Images photography studio on Short Street, the first commercial site in the downtown rezoned block.

Atherton specializes in photographs of newborns, children and families and stages sessions both in studio and local parks.

“I’ve been doing photography around Madison for 13 years, but, for the last 6.5 years, I took a leave from family portraits to stay home with my two boys,” Atherton said. During that time, she continued to photograph children in preschools and day cares.

“Now that my youngest son is in kindergarten, it was time to get back to photographing families — which I love,” Atherton said.

Atherton’s favorite photographs involve the simplest views. “Just a baby or child without a lot of props … although I’m not afraid of props,” she said.

She cherishes photographs at her sons’ lemonade stand, which the family built. “My boys actually love selling lemonade. It only made sense to capture that time in their childhood,” Atherton said.

Short Street’s central location attracted her. “The renovated house is very cute and comfortable for my clients and their children,” she said. “I have a yard to photograph outside without having to go anywhere.”

In 2001, the Athertons relocated here with husband Quinn’s job as engineer at ADTRAN. Their son Evan, 8, is a second-grader and Elliot, 6, a kindergartner.

Dana Atherton volunteers as Wolf Den leader with Cub Scouts Pack 451, at CrossPointe Church and as ‘team mom’ for her sons’ Madison AYSO soccer teams.

Sunshine Images will have open house on Feb. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. Atherton also welcomes anyone to visit and see her canvas wraps, custom-framed prints, albums and metal diaper tags. “Just to meet and say, ‘Hi,’ would be nice, too.”

To visit Sunshine Images, from Madison Boulevard drive north on Sullivan Street, turn east on Bradley Street and turn south on Short Street.

Sunshine Images is open by appointment to eliminate interruptions during photo sessions. For more information, call 256-325-7627 or visit sunshineimages.com or Facebook/Sunshine Images.