Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Creaney.
Hi Dave, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
After moving from Baltimore to Austin, I worked at restaurants and bars until I decided to return to school for photography. I ended up interning at the Austin American Statesman and learning the ropes of photojournalism while also shooting and assisting other photographers in more editorial and commercial environments. My style comes from a blend of those two worlds.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has always been challenging. A long string of fits and starts on a wide enough graph ends up in a positive trend. Indeed, the COVID shutdown was a big hiccup – I had many large clients lined up for SXSW and was devastated to see that fall through. But as things started to open back up, things became more local as clients weren’t flying photographers out from New York or LA. I ended up getting some bigger jobs that way. Certainly, a sword that cut both ways.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a commercial and editorial photographer with an emphasis on portraiture. I love connecting with new and different subjects and collaborating with teams to make things we can all be stoked about. I make timeless and well-crafted images with an emphasis on technical excellence while still being engaging to the viewer. I pride myself on feeling confident and comfortable no matter what room I’m in or who my subject may be.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Once you reach a certain level of technical ability, it’s not about how good you are – it’s who you know. It’s more important to be a good hang than a fantastic photographer. Also, if you feed people – literally or metaphorically – it always comes back tenfold. Don’t be stingy with your knowledge or your time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.davecreaney.com
- Instagram: @davecreaney
Image Credits
All images ©Dave Creaney
