Today we’d like to introduce you to David Wienecke.
Hi David, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always loved the arts. All forms, really. Growing up in a family of athletes and musicians made music a very obvious choice as to which fine art genre I would pursue. While I was very talented musically, I have always had a deep admiration for visual artists, because I felt that they possessed a creativity and technical skillset that I did not. Not out of jealousy or envy, but out of respect.
I have always loved photography. I have not always taken the greatest photos. I also never invested in a nice camera. Sure, I usually had a somewhat up to date phone, and the cameras that are on computers that fit in our pockets are perfect for some who takes a lot of snapshots. That was really all I needed.
In 2020, our lives were jolted and altered in the most dramatic of ways imaginable. Seven of our loved ones passed away in the calendar year of 2020. SEVEN. Every single one of them were at our wedding in 2017, if that is any indication as to just how close these loved ones were. Three of those seven, were my father, my grandfather (my dad’s father), and my wife’s mother. My father and my mother-in-love both passed in August, just nine hours apart albeit in different states. My grandfather passed later that year, in October.
When dealing with grief (especially to that magnitude), people sometimes make large purchases. For some, it could be a tattoo, a vacation, or maybe a car. For me, it was a go-kart. Again, just like before, that was an easy choice. I grew up at the tracks. Everyone in my family raced. The sport was invented in 1958, and my family started racing in the early 1960’s. When I was child, my dad was one of the best. Literally. He was even crowned as the best in 1988, winning the IKF Grand National Championship, essentially the sport’s Super Bowl at the time). Getting back into kart racing after a 30+ year hiatus seemed like the perfect way to Honor my dad’s memory and also have some fun competing again.
My wife’s grief purchase? A Canon DSLR camera. A really nice entry level DSLR with a couple lenses, and even a Canon camera bag to carry it all. I can count on my fingers and toes how many times they have actually used their camera. So I would use it from time to time since it wasn’t in use. I definitely used it far more than they did, but even so, I didn’t really mess with it that often. I didn’t understand the settings, so I only shot in the full auto modes, and I had zero technical skill.
In 2023, our family was hit with some health issues to worry about, so the camera didn’t get touched for a couple of years. My wife and my mom were both diagnosed with breast cancer, and they have both survived it!. That said, my wife underwent three surgeries in two years. After the third one, for Mother’s Day 2025, I got my wife the boots and cowboys hat they had been eyeing. A few days later, my brother’s wife, my wife, and I went to the Capitol and just did a little photo shoot (my brothers wife is also a photographer).
The compliments that I received from our community about those photos were almost overwhelming. So much so, that a few weeks later I told my wife that I think I’m going to try to transition photography from hobby to career. I wanted my ticket out of corporate America. Their response: “Do it!” Mind you, I don’t even own a camera, and I have zero technical skill. However, since that very moment, photography has been my main focus outside of my family, even taking priority over my day job on many occasions. And since that very moment, my wife has been my biggest supporter. From encouragement, to being my model on countless unpaid shoots, to even gifting me with a professional grade Canon DSLR camera for Father’s Day.
At this point, I still have no technical photography skills, nor do I know how any of these settings work on this camera. And since it is a professional grade camera, there is no fully auto setting. But I do have a camera. The camera came from a fiend of ours who is a self-taught professional photographer. I told our friend that I wanted to do the same thing and she agreed to mentor me at no cost!
From then on, my camera went everywhere with me. A few months later, I created a separate IG account for my photography work, and created it as a business account. Even labeling myself as a professional photographer. I had all sorts of stuff on there. Cars, butterflies, sunsets, concerts……No real theme. No genre. I shot EVERYTHING. Advice from a few photographers is to “pick a genre, sunsets and butterflies don’t pay invoices.” So from that point on, I have focused on portraits, while still shooting music for fun because I love it. I’ve done everything from headshots, to family portraits, to boudoir. Today, boudoir is what I shoot mostly, but that’s not to say that I can’t knock out some rocking headshots or family portraits when called upon!
Without my mentor’s help and guidance, along with my wife’s genuine and constant support, there is no way I would be where I am today. Still have that corporate gig, but I’m getting ever so much closer to that exit with each shutter click!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been some ups and downs. Some periods where I experienced some creative blockage due to other life circumstances taking precedence. In those times I would often find myself spiraling mentally. I found that the quickest way for me to get out of that spiral was to shoot. It truly brings me joy. So much, that I actually get sad when shoots get canceled or postponed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a photographer who just loves to create. If you look through my IG, you will see everything: cars, butterflies, sunsets, concerts…….for a while I shot EVERYTHING. Advice from a few photographers was to “pick a genre, but keep in mind, sunsets and butterflies don’t pay invoices.”
So from that point on, I have focused on portraits, while still shooting music for fun because I love it. I’ve done everything from headshots, to family portraits, to boudoir. Today, boudoir is what I shoot mostly, but that’s not to say that I can’t knock out some rocking headshots or family portraits when called upon!
I love shooting portraits because I love creating memories that people will treasure for years to come. The look on my clients’ faces when we do reveals are priceless. To take it even further, I specifically love boudoir because of how empowering it is. I truly love being able to provide a safe space for women, men, or couples, to reconnect to themselves and their body. Beauty is a not shape, size, or image, but rather an attitude. Everybody deserves to feel like art, and to be showcased as art.
What sets me apart from others? Probably my black and whites. That is the feedback I get most often, anyway. I can shoot and edit color just fine, but the style I go with most, is very high contrast, often very dark and noir style monochrome.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
It’s nice to get lucky sometimes. It’s even better to be blessed. My photography journey has had both kinds of help!
None of that luck, skill, or blessing is of any use without action!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @David.wienecke.photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18mZeGjVuT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
