A Portrait in Pixels…Dave Davis Photography

As an introduction to our newest feature, “The Photographer’s Portrait”, who better to interview than our very own webmaster extraordinaire….Glamour Photographer and Photoshop Master, Dave Davis.

Beauty Editor Jett Ray: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to interview for the magazine Dave! We appreciate all you do and are so very proud of the work you have done for GlamModelz Magazine. I know there are many in the Glamour Photography industry who can benefit from your expertise, so let’s get started!

Tell me about your background…how did you get started in Photography?
Dave Davis: I have always had an interest in Art. At the age of 12 my parents gave me my first 35mm SLR camera. We were living in Germany at the time and I had ample opportunity to use it, I shot a lot of landscapes and inanimate objects back in those days. I was first published at the age of 16, I shot sports for several news papers though high school and college. I majored in commercial photography/Art in college, and enjoy working as a commercial artist. It’s just part of my DNA and always has been, I guess.

Jett: Why Glamour /Beauty? What other genre’s and styles interest you?
Dave: I’m interested in all art forms, from the beauty of drops of dew glinting in the sun off a blade of grass to the complexities of a ballet. In short I enjoy all genres and forms of Art, not just photography. There is a more “mainstream, more commercial” side to me and my work. I’m happy and excited with the works you see here, but there are 2 Faces of Eve. I have a High Fashion, more blase style of work that is just starting to pop up. A model wrote me this morning and said. “I wanna to shoot something like this”, and she included a photograph I shot for one of the local modeling agency, I’m not even sure if she realizes I shot it..

Jett: What or who inspires you as a photographer?
Dave: There are so many great photographers and artists that have inspired me. All of the contributing photographers here on “GlamModelz.com”, Michael Rosen and Dr Gary, my old college professor, have made the biggest influence in my work and personal style. Music quite often inspires my creativity too.

Jett: What equipment is essential for you as a glamour photographer, to capture your “best shot”?
Dave: Since 99% of my work is shot in the studio, I will say the Beauty Dish, (a special light) followed by a really great flash meter. I have a truck load of equipment including 12 cameras. They all serve a purpose and a means for creating Art, but they’re just simple tools. Photoshop is something I could not live without. Besides the equipment, I always bring an open mind and my imagination to a photoshoot.

Jett: Paid vs. TF* shoots – What are your views and preferences?
Dave: Of course I shoot TFP, all of my personal projects are shot on a TFP basis. But I have been burned and abused by so many “wannabes” that I will no longer work with MUA or models I have not worked with in the past. I need to know my team can deliver. I do test for new talent all the time.

Jett: How would you best describe your personal style?
Dave: Bright, Vibrant, Full of Life, Fun and Expressive. Regardless of the subject and/or intended outcome I like to bring out emotions in my work. True Art invokes an emotional response. That’s the way I live my life, my life is what I hope my work represents.
Jett: What are your goals for your photography? Other goals?
Dave: My only real goal is the completion of my next shot. That is all I really concentrate on and that is all I really care about.

Jett: What qualities should Models/MUA’s/Stylists, etc have to work with you?
Dave: I shoot portfolio updates for MUAs/Stylist a couple times a year. I wouldn’t mind shooting with more MUAs. It’s something I really enjoy – the collective meeting of creative minds. The shots are so well planned and thought out in every detail, it’s so exciting to our work come together..

Models: A professional attitude is also a must! I have learned my lesson the hard way, Now I only recruit Beauty models from previous shoots. For other projects I am open to new looks/models.

Jett: Tell us about your biggest accomplishment to date or what makes you most proud.
Dave: I have been truly blessed by the good Lord in my “professional” life. I’ve shot with a Playmate, movie stars, sports stars, rock stars. I’ve been published in National Geographic. I have done album covers, trade journals, cover shots on architectural and motor sports magazines, posters and so on. I’m even a staff photographer for a modeling agency in San Francisco. But I’m most proud of a single image. I searched so long for someone to model for this fantasy project and finally Rachel Anasteli – Actress, Model, Ms San Francisco, agreed to work with me on this piece titled Mother Nature. It took 400 hours create and was my first Fantasy Art project. I guess it will always hold a special place in my heart and so will Rachel. ~Thanks Dear!!

Jett: What advice do you have for new/amateur photographers who want to shoot glamour?
Dave: Be Professional, Respectful, and Original. Let your models know exactly what, when and how you will deliver the final edits, CDs, Prints, or what ever and then actually deliver! That seems to be the number one complaint I hear from models while chatting during a shoot.

Jett: Any advice for models?
Dave: 1.) Ladies Please, I never look at the webcam shots, most professional photographers do not. Leave them on MySpace, never include crappy photos on a pro modeling site.
2.) Communicate! Talk on the phone, text, e-mail, what ever the photographer prefers, be proactive, be professional. ALWAYS call if you can not make a shoot.
3.) Check references on the photographer first. Show up to the shoot on time and ready to work. Don’t bring your friends, This is not a party! A photoshoot is an intimate thing. The better connection you make with the Photographer the better the photographs will look.

Jett: In addition to photography, do you have other skills/interests/talents in which you excel?
Dave: I’m a workaholic and have full time careers as a Graphic Artist, Web Developer, Network Engineer (computer geek) and of course, as a Commercial Photographer. I love the diversity of my life but it does sometimes gets rather hectic.

Jett: Where can we see more of your work? How can models who wish to shoot with you contact you?
Dave: My personal e-mail is drdavesgraphics@gmail.com My main website/blog (davedavisphotography.com) has some great information for both new models and photographers with lots of examples, Photoshop tutorials, Save the Wolves, cool Geek stuff and much more.
I can also be reached through these modeling sites ;  ModelMayhem, ModelBrigade, and even MySpace. I believe I’m even listed as the server slave around GlamModelz.com someplace
**Server Slave and Part-time comedian, to boot. We love you Dave!

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