Meet David Freese | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Freese and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
There are probabilities for success or failure associated with every aspect of life. I probably think about risk/reward more than the average person although I cannot be 100% sure about that – see what I mean? Our mothers told us not to run with a pair of scissors in our hands to prevent injury just in case we fell even though the probability of that happening is quite small.

The arts are difficult professions in which to obtain a desired degree of success. Photography is certainly among them and falls, in the form of rejections, are common. I did both commercial and fine art photography. The latter is next to impossible in which to make a living even though it is my first love and I have had several photo books published. Commercially, I did assignment photography on location which could be very creative and did provide the needed financial buffer. I also started teaching at the college level and was an adjunct professor at several area colleges and universities for many years. It was very rewarding and I very much enjoyed passing my knowledge onto future artists.

Anyone who goes into the arts as a profession is taking an inherent risk that I tried to overcome by giving myself more opportunities. But one also needs a strong foundation to make it happen. I would tell my students that you must possess three characteristics to succeed in the arts: Passion, Patience, and Perseverance. If you can maintain the three P’s, through thick and thin, risk can be greatly reduced and your chances for reward are improved exponentially.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My fine art photography contains the underlying theme of climate change and an awareness of our place in the environment. After much hard work, I have been fortunate to have four photo books published within the last twelve years:
West Coast: Bering to Baja, 2012; East Coast Arctic to Tropic, 2016; Mississippi River: Headwaters and Heartland to Delta and Gulf, 2020; and Iceland Wintertide, 2021. For as long as I can remember, I had hoped to one day have my work presented in a photo book. It is here that passion, patience and persistence eventually paid off after many rejections over twenty years. There is much to learn when seeking a publisher and there is a long learning curve in how to proceed. In the end, having a series of books has been extremely rewarding.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We lived in Philadelphia for 45 years and, last year, moved to Elkins Park just outside of the city. I would give them a tour of our wonderful city, which is the birthplace of the nation, and introduce them to all the many historical sights especially the Museum of the American Revolution. Almost all our friends are somehow involved in the arts. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Barnes Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Arts are a must followed by a fabulous dinner at one of the many fine Italian restaurants on Passyunk Avenue in South Philly. One always needs a musical interlude and a visit to a jazz club or a concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra would be high on the list.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents for providing me with a happy childhood and my wife Amy – she’s the best – for providing her love and support through life’s roller coaster ride.

In photography, I credit Life magazine and their staff of superb photographers for the gift of a weekly dose of wondrous photography across all subject matter during my youth and through my college years. The magazine ceased publication in 1972. I realized much later that it had a profound positive effect on my work.

Website: www.davidfreesephoto.net

Instagram: dfreesephoto

Linkedin: david freese

Facebook: David Freese

Image Credits
Peter Sean Croal