Today we’d like to introduce you to David Butler.
Thanks for sharing your story with us David. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Today, I am a Boston based commercial product photographer and digital artist, specializing in Beverages, Liquids, Cosmetics, and all other forms of product and still life photography. I collaborate with professional brands and creative leaders to craft images that showcase their vision and their product in all forms of print and digital media.
However, getting to this point wasn’t easy, but the journey may be the most important part of my life’s story.
Since Kindergarten, I failed at school. Not due to lack of intelligence or effort, but due to the fact that I think different the curriculums expected me to think. This haunted me throughout grade school, all the way up to high school.
When I was failing every class in high school, I had one teacher named Ms. Pesci. Ms. Pesci taught math, but in my case, she taught me how to see my strengths, and pursue them. One day after class, she pulled me aside and explained to me how she should not pass me, as there was no logical way given my collection of failed assignments and exams… She then went on to say how math just isn’t my calling, and she simply couldn’t hold me back any more than I already had been due to a subject that simply isn’t for me. She handed me a (failed) quiz that I had re-taken and turned in, it was all marked up with corrections, but more importantly, with my drawings. She pointed to my sketches and drawings and said-“This is what you are meant to do, not this (referring to my math errors)”. That was one of the first times I was recognized for my creativity and encouraged to pursue it, and that encouragement never left me.
Like a lot of “right brained” thinkers, school was never easy. The first time I dropped out of school was when I was 16. I went to work for my Father in his marble and granite fabrication shop. There my Father made sure I at least learned a trade, a practical skill that I could use in life. Stone work is hard, it’s dusty, it’s wet, it’s cold, and it’s all even more difficult when your heart isn’t in it. I did this for a while, and realized I didn’t want to do this for the rest of my life. High school seemed much easier and way more fun, so I thought I’d go back and try even harder to pass my classes and find a new career path. So I did, and again, I failed. I dropped out for the 2nd time; I went back to working for my Father, all the while earning a diploma through a night school program.
I always knew I wasn’t cut out for “normal”, as I am not wired to take the road most traveled. I have always done things my way on my time, and while it hasn’t been easy, I was beginning to realize I need to find a career that suites me rather than changing who I am for a career.
Over the next few years, I found myself lost, still searching for my calling, self-purpose, and simply something to feel passionate about. I knew there had to be an outlet for my desire to create, and I was committed to finding it. I studied still life drawing during one of my classes at a local community college. I learned a lot about light, those as much as I loved being around other artists, I knew there was something else out there for me, and I had to keep searching. I realized that in order to feel alive, I needed to live. I needed to leave my tight knit circle of friend and family, step outside of my comfort zone and live. I was told if you don’t like your options given your circumstance, then you should consider changing your circumstance. Feeling like a big ship in a small pond, and I simply packed up my essentials, said goodbye to my high school sweetheart and best friends, and I headed out west.
Something happens when you travel. Immediately, your senses are heightened, and everything begins to fall into perspective. I started to see things a lot more clearly, and life became new again. These few months of traveling and soul searching may have been the most important for me. I realized that there was an artist that was trapped inside of me, that didn’t know how to come out… I thought of Ms. Pesci, and decided she was right. Trying to fit in, and be part of the system was killing me. I needed to follow my instincts, and fully embrace the artist in me.
Throughout this period my life, I started taking photography more and more seriously. I knew nothing about the mechanics of a camera, the photographic process, or what a good photograph even was… but I was set out to learn everything I could. While I was in Arizona, I searched and searched for Photography schools, and ironically, the school I thought fit me the best was The New England School of Photography (NESOP) back home in Boston. So I moved back to Boston, enrolled at NESOP, and the next thing I knew I was completely surrounded by all things photography related… I can say with confidence that my experience at NESOP completely changed my life for the best (I met my wife there… I mean seriously).
I was in school Monday-Friday, 9:00am to at least 6:00 pm (sometimes much later). When I wasn’t in the studio, darkroom or computer labs, I was out exploring every square inch of Boston with my camera, and I loved every second of it! Learning photography came easy to me, it was very visual, and it was one of the only things in life that just seemed to make sense.
Once I started to truly understand Photography, the camera went from a tool to an extension of me. I was free to use the camera as a painter would their brush. Light became the same way… I learned to use light to shape, give dimension, hide or reveal with intention. I used light to convey a feeling or emotion and the camera to capture it in a way that completes the story.
Eventually, with the guidance of some extremely special mentors and instructors, I found a way to find who I am and want to become as a photographer, and combine what I’ve learned in the studios with my imagination… that was the moment I was officially hooked.
Since graduating from NESOP, I have spent the past 10 years working with some incredibly inspiring brands throughout the country. All the while creating personal work that continues to push myself both technically and creatively.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing worth doing comes easy, but doing nothing at all is much harder in the long run. The scariest and hardest times throughout my journey (up to this point) had actually occurred before I “found myself”.
Once I found my purpose and passion, and dedicated myself to being the best version of myself I can be, everything got a little easier for me.
Some challenges that I have had (and often still deal with) are things like:
1. Self-doubt- I am my own worst critic. Some days are great, and then others I get caught up in my flaws and things I need to improve upon. Since graduating from photography school, I have lived by these words of Tom Petite- “Trust the Process”.
2. Patience- this is something I struggled with early on in my career. Starting out, I didn’t realize how my time, work, persistence, and consistency go into getting noticed or hired.
3. Staying true- As an artist in the age of trendy insta-famous social media, I found it challenging to remain true to my vision and myself. It’s tempting to adapt your work to fit the trends, but ultimately I know that only honest and true work can have a chance at lasting and rising above the noise. Also, I find that there is a great reward for creating work that matters, and that you love (even if nobody else does).
4. Comparison- There is real danger in comparing yourself with others, and it can be a huge waste of energy and frustration. I used to get envious that “so and so” is shooting this campaign, or “so and so” has this equipment, and “so and so” got this feature in “so and so” magazine… the reality is we all have a different back story, and are on a completely different journeys, and have unique gifts to offer the world, and the idea of comparing is sort of pointless, and as I mentioned, a waste of energy. Once I learned to focus inward, I managed to see growth in my person life and in my career.
5. Inspiration- With all of the challenges I listed above, it gets easier and easier to want to throw in the towel, and get a “normal” job somewhere… finding inspiration is a must, but it’s not always easy. For me, it’s less about waiting around for inspiration to hit me, it more about never stopping and working through the droughts. Every now and then, through putting the pencil to the paper and just working, I will stumble upon something that launches a wave of ideas and inspiration. Drawing Inspiration is sort of similar to drawing water from a well, it’s all about consistent efforts, and once your stop, and it’s hard to get that momentum back.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about David Butler Photography – what should we know?
I am a Boston based commercial product photographer and digital artist. I specialize in capturing Beverages, Cosmetics, Tech, and other forms of still life in a way that not only tells a story but also communicates the beauty within the design, colors, forms and textures.
I collaborate with professional brands and creative marketing leaders nationwide to craft images that showcase their vision and their product in all forms of print and digital media.
I have always approached my still life subjects the same way a portrait artist would approach their work, I look for a way to tell the story. My goal is to bring my subjects to life by incorporating artificial elements such as light, movement, and often times an environment. What I feel may set me apart from most other product photographers is mostly the hint of surrealism that is found throughout my work. I like to realistically create and capture moments in still objects that otherwise wouldn’t exist. Bringing my “what if…” ideas and imaginative visions to print is my modern sketch book, and ultimately the most rewarding work.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
While I feel I still have much growth ahead of me, there have been many mentors throughout my life and career that have been instrumental to any success I may have had up to this point.
Today I am fortunate to be surrounded by an incredibly talented and close team that allows me to focus of what I do best, and create the work I am hired to create. To name a few-
My Wife Lindsay has always given me her support and trust I need to pursue my dreams, intuitions despite the risks involved. I would not have pushed myself as hard as I do if it weren’t for her.
My agent Jenna Teeson certainly never gets enough credit for all that she brings to the table as a professional Photo Rep, Producer, industry resource, and overall business partner.
My 1st assistant Adam Francis has been by my side for the past 5 years, and having him so close for so long, we have built a symbiotic working relationship that truly makes every project run smoothly as smooth and efficient as possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.davidbutlerstudios.com
- Email: studio@davidbutlerstudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidbutlerstudios/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbutlerphotography/
Image Credit:
Jenna Teeson, Christian Goulette
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
