Photography in Focus

West Coast Photographer Dave Feiling Lets His Work Speak for Itself
By Elias of AllStar Photography OMP Member #10270

Lifestyle and fashion photographer Dave Feiling (OMP Member #3407) doesn't like to put a label on his artistic style. One look at his portfolio and it's clear that the impressive images speak for themselves.

"I don't really describe my style -- I'll let people decide on their own by looking at my work. I've always believed that the work should speak for itself. The nicest compliment I get is that my images look like they're straight out of a magazine. Each portfolio I show is targeted for specific market and there is a big difference between my OMP profile and my commercial web site www.LightWriting.com I always laugh when I see a photographer that has page after page 'written' about all the great work they've done for this client and that magazine and have pictures of their cat as representative work.... and not a tearsheet to be found."

Dave started doing photography when he bought a camera while in the military service, and has been shooting ever since. He subsequently attended Brooks Institute where he realized that photography isn't just about taking pretty pictures; it actually is more about becoming a visual problem solver.

When he graduated from the institute, Dave packed his van and drove to New York City.

"I had no job, no place to live, just a dream. I think I learned more about the 'business' of photography in the first week on the streets of NYC than I did the whole time in school. The strong technical training was a big help, however. It's a given that you need to know the technical aspects if you want to work; it is all the other aspects that will make or break you as a photographer. It's your vision that will lead to success."

He spent the first two years as an assistant, then went out on his own.

"I started as a freelancer, then as the studio manager for a well-known lifestyle photographer. Lot of production, location scouting, set building and casting... and a lesson or two about the politics of photography. After assisting, I started shooting on my own. Because of the large budgets and critical nature of the lifestyle market, it's a tough door to break through, so I started shooting houseware product catalogs. I hated it, but it paid well. After all, how many ways can you shoot a Cuisinart? As time passed I shifted away from catalog to a direct marketing client base which gave me an opportunity to do more lifestyle photography. The problem was that I ended up being known for my portrait ability shooting Dead Guys in Ties (aka executive portraits), which in turn lead to doing a lot of Annual Reports. I enjoy shooting Annual Reports in the sense that I shoot a lot of 'real' people on location. I was content but always had that itch to do more."

Dave started shooting models as comic relief from shooting executives. He eventually found that younger models were better suited for his lifestyle way of shooting.

"I found that a lot of older models wanted hot cutting edge fashion, FHM and such. With my strong passion for lifestyle it just wasn't working for me. I shot some real nice lifestyle things for one model, who also shot with another photographer that had her posing half-naked. She posted both sets of images online and people were drooling all over the 'hot' shots and stroking her ego. That's when I started working a lot more with younger models. The more I worked with younger models, the more fun I was having. A lot more consistent with my lifestyle mentality with a bit of fashion thrown in."

There are some major differences between shooting youths and adults, according to Dave.

"I think the most apparent difference is that young models have a much easier time being 'natural.' They usually have no preconceived idea of what they're suppose to do. As soon as they realize they can do just about anything they want ('which I call controlled chaos'), I'm golden. Ask an older model to improvise and you would think you asked them to cut off an arm. The one thing you do have to remember is that kids have short attention spans, and giving instruction has to be on their level -- no telling them to 'suck it up' and do what I asked. If they're not into the direction you're taking it, they're not going to change, so you have to. I remember a young model had issues with some ants around her feet... no debate or forcing the issue... you won't win! Bottom line, we moved. You might say, a five-year-old calling the shots? Yes, And make sure the kids are well-fed. I've found a quick stop for fries will resurrect the crabbiest kid!"

The Los Angeles resident likes the rush and uncertainty of shooting on location.

"There are a wealth of backgrounds outdoors, whereas in the studio you've got white, black and maybe red seamless. I do have a tremendous amount of respect for photographers that have mastered the studio, but it's just not for me."

When asked what equipment he uses, Dave reveals he has a Nikon D2X... but clarifies that "it's just a tool."

"A photographer's vision and understanding of light is what makes the shot, not the camera. Good equipment can help, but $10,000 in equipment isn't going to make a great image if there is no vision. There is a big difference between illuminating and lighting a subject."

Dave became a member of One Model Place in 2001, and has had great success promoting himself on the site.

"OMP has provided me the avenue to develop a portfolio consistent with the need required to pursue the direction I want to take my career. Quality models can make or break a portfolio. Without the help of the wonderful models I've met through OMP, I would not be where I am today."

Dave offers some advice for photographers just starting out.

"Find your own style, don't try to be someone else. That's what's going to set you apart from others. I've seen a lot of work that makes me jealous and I wish I could do that.... but I can't, it's not who I am."

His advice for other photographers who want to shoot children is also insightful.

"You have to want to shoot children. Remember, they're kids and they don't see the world as we do. When shooting, let them have fun and no matter how much you're stressing, keep the mood of the shoot light. Be careful of the parent that wants the child to model. If the child doesn't want to do it, you'll know in about two seconds. A stage mom is a curse you don't want at any price."

Having recently moved to the West Coast, Dave currently finds himself starting over again in this competitive industry.

"I just recently relocated to LA... Once again, no job, no place to live, just a dream. Every market is tough. There's a lot of competition out there, be it L.A. or NYC. You have to find your niche and bang away at it. The biggest problem I find is getting in to see people. It would be different if I got in and they said my work sucked! If I can get through the proverbial door, I usually can develop a good working relationship. I've been out here for just over a year and have established a good client base. Still doing a lot of Dead Guys in Ties. I just finished a children's back-to-school editorial spread and have three children's magazine covers under my belt.

"I've been fortunate to have meet some wonderful people and been able to make a decent living doing something I'm passionate about. My son summed best it up when my ex asked him about his career choice and if he wanted to 'end up like your father?' His reply: 'You mean LOVE what I do?'