We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Wiesley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.
David, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Covid has brought about so many changes – has your business model changed?
Due to Covid I no longer had the option to take portraits and headshots in-studio. Instead, I adapted by learning how to artfully combine natural and artificial light outdoors to create a new style of portrait photography for my clients. The results are beautiful, stunning and unique images of my subjects. For example, I was fortunate enough to have met a talented local flamenco dancer who I believed would make an interesting subject. I had already composed in my mind the image of her I wanted to capture; her dancing in her flamenco dress and red shawl at sunset. My challenge was balancing the camera’s exposure for both the beautiful San Diego sunset and her twirling. I exposed for the sunset and added additional light from off-camera flashes to expose and freeze her movement. The result was as close to perfection as I had imagined.
The positive feedback and subsequent requests for this style of photography have led me to incorporate it as my signature brand.
David, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My family and I moved to San Diego seventeen years ago. At the time I was a business executive and spent my weekends photographing my two boys sports activities, purely as a hobby although I had always loved taking sports images. Almost immediately I had teammates parents, coaches and then leagues request my services for game coverage and athlete portraits. This was pure serendipity and fulfilled my love and passion of photography. What was a weekend hobby became a full time occupation.
My youngest son proved to be a talented football quarterback and caught the eye of a local quarterback trainer. This opened a new door as I had the opportunity to photograph top college and professional quarterbacks training in San Diego including Johnny Manziel and three other Heisman trophy winners. My work went on to be featured on ESPN and the New York Times.
During my son’s senior year I realized I needed to expand my photography by learning to enhance my athlete portraits with artificial lights. I attended several workshops featuring top sports and fashion photographers to learn how to master the art of balancing natural and artificial light. I practiced diligently for over a year and I have successfully produced enough work to allow me to rebrand myself as portrait photographer for beauty, senior and athlete portraits. I changed my brand from QB Shooter to David C Wiesley Photography. My goal is to create unique images that are impactful and sometimes edgy. While not altogether unique my brand can be recognized by portraits combining the beautiful San Diego natural light and off camera flashes.
I believe a great photographer has to listen carefully to a client’s needs and communicate effectively how you will go about taking the near perfect image; one that exceeds their expectations. I strongly believe my twenty years of photography and retouching expertise allows me to capture a client’s idea into reality while oftentimes suggesting different ways to enhance their ideas.
Additionally, I produce videos for real estate, events, birthdays and life celebrations using drones, video cameras and existing footage provided by clients.
What do you find most rewarding about being creative?
Delivering a finished product to a client and seeing a tear in the eyes, huge smile and the Wow! exclamation makes it all worth it for me.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Word of mouth from satisfied clients.
Contact Info:
- Email: dwiesley@
davidcwiesleyphotography.com - Instagram: #davidcwiesleyphotography
- Facebook: David C Wiesley Photography
- Linkedin: David C Wiesley Photography
Image Credits
David C Wiesley Photography – all rights reserved
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