Today we’d like to introduce you to David Valdez
Hi David, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After graduating from high school, David Valdez enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he was trained as a photographer. He served with the 836th Combat Support Group for four years, and then earned a BA in journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park. While he was a student there, Valdez was employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a photographer.
He left the federal government to become chief photographer for Nations Business magazine published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In 1983, he became the personal photographer to then-Vice President George Bush. In 1988, President Bush appointed Valdez Director of the White House Photo Office. During this administration, he traveled to 75 countries and all 50 states with the President. In 1997, he published George Herbert Walker Bush: A Photographic Profile.
Valdez was appointed general manager of photography for Walt Disney Attractions in 1993. In 2001, he became Special Assistant to the HUD Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. Valdez became the Vice President for Business Development for Blue Pixel Digital Experts. Blue Pixel was digital photography consulting firm. Blue Pixel contracted with Nikon and Microsoft. From 2003 to 2010, Valdez was the Director of Visual and Electronic Information for HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.
Public Speaking engagements such as Harvard, University of Texas Austin, Franklin Pierce University, Presidential Libraries, museums, civic and political groups.
Valdez is a former member of the Board of the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas and an advisor to the Marlin Fitzwater School of Communications at Franklin Pierce University.
He is currently Vice President of the Williamson Museum Board and Chairman of the Georgetown Texas Arts and Culture Board and Founder of The Texas Photography Festival held annually the 3rd Saturday every March in Georgetown Texas. The Texas Photography Festival hosts pop up events around the state of Texas.
Freelancing, based in Georgetown, Texas Valdez’s clients include:
Republican National Committee
Franklin Pierce University
LBJ Presidential Library
National Park Service
National Geographic Traveler
Georgetown View Magazine
Popular Hispanics Magazine
CBS
PBS
ABC News
CNN
FOX News
Amtrak
BeLocal Georgetown
Uniquely You
SRE Promotions (Corvette Invasion)
Photos published in:
National Geographic Traveler
Life Magazine
Time
U.S. News and World Report
Newsweek
People
Georgetown View
New York Times
Washington Post
USA Today
American Photographer
George Herbert Walker Bush a Photographic Profile
My Father My President
Looking Forward
All The Best,George Bush
Destiny and Power
Millie’s Book
Simply Barbara Bush
Photo District News
Williamson County Sun
BeLocal Georgetown,Texas
More photos published in countless other publications and books from around the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working at the White House for 9 years I was always gone traveling to 75 countries and all 50 states. George and Barbara Bush invited my wife to many events and meals so she would be included.
I’ve always loved being a photographer and feel it’s been important to give back to the community and young folks who I have worked with over many years.
I lived through the transition from film to digital photography which was a learning curve but a great opportunity especially when I managed photography for the Walt Disney Company.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a lifelong professional photographer. Only 12 people in the history of the United States have been the personal photographer for the President of the United States. Of this group I’m number 5.
6 years ago I founded The Texas Photography Festival.
Time magazine called me renowned and I have been called an Icon of American Photography
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My family my faith and my friends oh and taking photos
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.davidvaldezphotography.com/
- Instagram: @davidvaldezusa
Image Credits
Photos by David Valdez
