Today we’d like to introduce you to David West.
David, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 2015, I lost my wife to breast cancer after a two and a half year battle. At the time, I had my own construction company, and after 20 years, I had lost all desire to continue remodeling homes. During the grieving process, my heart was no longer in my work, I was just going through the motions, trying to recover from the tragic loss. I realized that I needed to find my joy again, so I made a list of things that had previously given me joy. Photography was high on that list.
A few years prior we had moved into my current house and all of my photography gear was still in boxes. I uncovered and unpacked my camera and lenses. Photography had always been an interest, and up until that point, my photos were focused on my construction projects and nature.
Being completely self-taught, I barely knew how to use the equipment I had gathered over the years. As I focused on finding my joy again, I knew that I needed a daily reminder, so I made myself an illuminated sign of the word “Joy” and hung it on the outside of my house. I didn’t unplug that sign for four months.
A friend of mine encouraged me to truly pursue photography and she was my first human model. On Christmas Day 2015, I took the first photos of her, outside and when I saw the images, I was hooked. I had found my joy again through the connection that comes from photographing people.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I knew from the beginning that I was going to have to pay my dues, building a portfolio and increasing my knowledge base. The first year of my photography, I continued my construction business from 9 to 5 and dove into my photography on nights and weekends.
All I was thinking about and talking about while building kitchens during the day was the model I was shooting that night or that weekend. For the first time in a long time, I was excited again and that excitement fueled me through the long days. Working for free to build my portfolio and my name was necessary but brought with it financial stress and strife.
The largest struggle has been overcoming the belief that a professional photographer should be cheap or free because everyone has a smartphone which makes everyone a photographer in their eyes. Photography is a highly skilled craft and while a selfie is great at the moment, truly capturing the beauty of your baby, your wedding, or that special moment in a way that makes a two-dimensional object seem alive, takes years of study and practice.
Born Imagery – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Born Imagery specializes in finding that special something within each subject, helping people feel comfortable in front of the camera and allowing their true personality to shine. Every day we are all bombarded by so many images on social media that we mindlessly scroll by unless we are drawn in.
I focus on creating that connection and draw that make people look twice, and create images that speak to them. I strive to create a comfortable and memorable experience for each of our clients, whether they are a few weeks old or professionals actors looking to update their portfolio. Empowering people through photography and helping them to realize their own beauty means a lot me.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I am proud that by using my photography skills I am able to contribute my time and energy to charities that I have a deep connection with, specifically those focused on cancer research and support.
Another major highlight was being asked to travel with David Ortiz and his Children’s Fund to the Dominican Republic as one of two photographers for his annual celebrity golf tournament.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bornimagery.com
- Phone: 978-361-9911
- Email: dave@bornimagery.com
- Instagram: @bornimagery
- Facebook: @bornimagery
- Twitter: @bornimagery
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bornimagery/
Image Credit:
David West – Born Imagery
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