Today we’d like to introduce you to David Muller.
David, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began as an actor in NYC. I also pursued commercial print and I would save money by trying to take my own pictures. Not an easy task but I managed to get a few good ones (with the help of my mom who clicked the shutter for me). Having been in front of the camera often, doing commercials and print work, I had a natural affinity for taking pics but lacked the technical knowledge to do any good work. After moving to LA at 29, I spent more time focused on an acting career, but when the writers strike hit in the early 2000’s, I decided to find some other creative outlets. I had always liked photographer, so I found a teacher online who would teach a 6-week intro course and if you lived in LA, you could come to his studio. Very exciting, except when I found out his “studio” was a studio apartment on Cherokee and he smoked Marlboro Red’s in my face for 2 hours at a time. Anyway, I learned the basics and started experimenting on friends. I knew that a lot of headshot photographers shot in garages, so I used my friend’s garage to start and never looked back!
Has it been a smooth road?
Overall, it’s been very smooth for me. I’ve been fortunate to stay busy from a very early point in my career. Most of the challenges have been learning to work with people. Clients come in with all kinds of nerves and insecurities and there is a lot riding on their headshots, so dealing with so many personalities in one week is challenging. That said, I’ve found most clients enjoyable and likable…of course there’s always an exception or two 🙂
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I can’t really point to one particular proud moment. Honestly, I feel grateful and proud every day for being able to accomplish the goals I had set, once I decided to shoot headshots.
Were there moments when you had to struggle?
I absolutely struggled in the very beginning, but I expected to, I didn’t think it would come easily to be a “go-to” headshots photographer in LA. My biggest struggles have been the pressure I put on myself. For example, every time I changed studio locations I would really stress about the light because I wanted to keep it consistent with the work on my website. Ultimately, dealing with learning how to adapt made me a better photographer with a better understanding of light.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
LA is, of course, a hotspot for a headshot photographer. Almost everyone you meet is or has been an aspiring actor and the good news is they all need headshots. Starting in LA isn’t necessary, you can refine your craft anywhere.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.davidmullerphotography.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @davidmullerphotography
- Facebook: David Muller Photography
- Other: @davidmuller1 (twitter)
Image Credit:
Lucan Melkonian
Stephanie Siadaton
Brad Fisher
Bo Youngblood
Grand Jordan
Tyler Lepley
Christa B. Allen
Donovan Mitchell
