Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Fitz.
Dave, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Ever since I was young I’ve always loved being behind the camera. I used to constantly steal my parent’s video camera and record stupid videos with my friends. However, it wasn’t until I got older and my father gave me his Canon AE-1 that I started to build a passion for photography.
After I graduated college, I decided I wanted to move to Los Angeles for work. So the next day I packed my car up and left Connecticut. Once I arrived I couldn’t put my camera down! Being able to ride my bike to the beach every day and photograph the most incredible sunsets felt like heaven.
Since then I’ve continued to try and progress my photography to the next level by taking crazier adventures and photographing with more and more models.
Has it been a smooth road?
Ha! Life isn’t smooth but who the fuck wants to go on a rollercoaster ride that doesn’t scare you at least a little.
Anything that you enjoy doing, you have to be ready to fight for. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some truly talented people and have friends that are always willing to lend a hand but even still it’s constantly a challenge.
One of the things I do struggle with is being my strongest critic. Although it helps drive me to be better it can also make me feel as if I’m not up to par with other photographers out there. That as well as balancing my life as a television producer and photographer can be strenuous when you’re working all hours of the day.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
I don’t think I can pinpoint one moment in my career that stands alone as my proudest moment. Yet, whenever I see someone become inspired through my work it fills me with great satisfaction. There’s nothing better than being able to see yourself have a positive influence on someone else’s passions.
Tell us more about the struggles you’ve faced along the way.
Sometimes the hardest struggle is one of self-criticism. By living in Los Angeles you are surrounded by many talented artists and constantly inundated by their amazing work. Especially when you are starting off it can become overwhelming to think that you will never be as good as them. If you are truly passionate find ways to keep photography exciting. As long as you are having fun creating it doesn’t matter what other people think.
What’s your outlook for the industry in our city?
Absolutely I recommend Los Angeles as a place to start! Coming from a small town in Connecticut there was very little opportunity to start my career in photography. Los Angeles is the mecca of talented people. Everyone here is striving to make something of themselves. Take advantage of Meetup Groups, meet aspiring models through Model Mayhem or Craigslist. In the beginning, and even still, I meet so many talented photographers, models, makeup artists through these. Hell, even Instagram is a great place to share your work and meet new people to work with. Take advantage of everything this great city has to offer!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DaveFitzPhotography.com
- Email: DaveFitzPhotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: @davefitzphotography
- Facebook: Facebook.com/davefitzphotography
Image Credit:
Photography by Dave Fitz Photography
Models include: Ashley Duran, Caley Close, Matt Lucian, Gwendlyn, and Lauren
