Today we’d like to introduce you to David Helfer Wells.
David, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I became the photographer I am today by first trying on the styles and/or methods of other well-known and historic photographers. Along the way, I mastered the many challenging disciplines of photography, particularly the use of color slide film. Over forty-plus years I have fused all of these experiences into my own style, which is built on a mastery of light, exposure and tonality, framing and composition with consistent control over focus and depth of field.
In terms of my background, I started exploring photography in high school in 1972, where I learned the craft of film-based photography and then I studied the history of photography in college, to get a better understanding of the medium, it’s aesthetic trends, the various genres and the important figures, etc.
Warren High school in Downey, California is where I studied the craft of photography and Pitzer College in Claremont, California is where I learned aesthetics. I had a series of jobs as a newspaper photojournalist between 1981 and 1985 where I learned about the practice of photojournalism. Since then, I have been self-employed, initially as a magazine photographer and now making short-films for many of the same clients. I am continually teaching myself the latest processes, be that color slides or digital video.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I was young, I only saw photography as a technical craft and I was not sure it could hold my attention for a lifetime. At Pitzer College, I learned that photography could be my life’s work, once I understood the intellectual, political and aesthetic components of the medium.
Numerous times early on I thought about switching to other careers, but I have (thankfully) never acted open those moments of anxiety. Very early on, as a self-employed photographer, it took a lot of faith to be assured I would survive and thrive. The fact that I have flourished through so many different changes over the decades has instilled in me a level of confidence that gets me through the ups and downs.
I have never made as much money or had as much job security as my high school or college peers. I have always lived simpler than they do but I have never regretted that choice since the creative aspects of my career have more than made up for the economic limitations.
Photography has given me two very important things: First, it has been an excuse to ask questions, to go places, to meet people, to raise issues and to tease out ideas in the form of photographs and now short videos. Second, it has given me a tool to keep challenging myself to see if I can do something new, different and interesting for my clients and for myself.
Narrative Visuals – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a self-employed editorial photographer/film-maker. I create photos (and increasingly, short videos) of real-life situations, including people, events, communities, etc. that are then used by organizations, publications and individuals to tell their stories, increasingly online. My niche is using real documentary techniques for editorial and commercial video storytelling. It’s something I do well, having developed this “muscle” working as a photojournalist and a magazine photographer for years, for leading publications.
Major corporations, non-profit organizations, as well as international, national and regional publications, have trusted me to tell their stories through short films and still images. These include Dynapower, Center for Women and EEnterprise, Aramco World and EdibleRhody to name a few.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success feels like freedom, in the terms of achieving some kind of project, commission, grant or publication that gives me the ability to test myself and an idea on behalf of a client who trusts me. While I sell some work as fine art, the vast majority of my work involves the dialogue between myself as a creative practitioner and the client as the end user of the results of my creative practice. I have always thrived on that dialogue.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.davidhwells.com/
- Phone: 401 261 4528
- Email: david@davidhwells.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellspoint/
- Other: http://www.davidhwells.com/blog/ (Blog)
https://www.asmp.org/portfolio/david-wells/ (American Society of Media Photographers Portfolio)
https://vimeo.com/thewellspoint (Vimeo)
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