Today we’d like to introduce you to David Price.
Hi David, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I started my first photography business, David Price Photography, in London back in 2003 (20 years ago, yikes!), and then after shooting headshots and portraits for ten years, I got the opportunity to move to Los Angeles in 2014, where I met my now wife and Austinite, Sims Holland. Her Southern charm and cowboy boots had me at her first “Howdy!” Soon after a whirlwind transatlantic courtship, we joined forces while I set up shop. After a fun time working as a photographer between LA and London, we got hitched in 2019 and soon discovered we were pregnant with our first child. Then the pandemic hit, and my businesses took a big dip with my LA studio closing, and I had to stop working. Ironically, I had just landed the acclaim of “Top 10 Headshot Photographers in London” by Backstage.com. Post-pandemic, I licked my wounds and worked in Hollywood as a studio manager for a big production studio, but just after our second child was born I was made redundant, so we decided that we had had enough of Los Angeles and wanted to raise our two children in Austin and to be close to my wife’s family. After landing here at the beginning of 2023, I set up Austin TX Headshots, where I take the photos and Sims manages and coordinates the studio bookings. It’s early days, and we’re juggling our two babies, but the ATX creative community has been so welcoming so far. We’re shooting out of St John Studio in 78752, which is owned by local photographer Jody Horton. He’s been a real help in getting us off the ground and we’re excited to see what happens next in Austin!
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I had no idea how tough getting to live and work in America would be. The US visa issue was a long road and my wife and I spent a whole year apart whilst I waited for my first visa in London. We only got to see each other every 6 weeks or so. Then starting from scratch in America is hard, you literally have to start all your financial records from scratch. Your credit score is reset to zero – regardless of your success back home. So you can imagine how hard it is to get an apartment or even lease a car. Being in Los Angeles was equally hard work – the market is very oversaturated, so you’re constantly battling to get clients and there isn’t much of a sense of community. In Austin it’s been much easier so far – yes, there is a lack of affordable studio space here, but the creative community is very welcoming. People are happy to take a phone call here or a face-to-face meeting. A handshake and a business card goes a long way here too. I was really surprised that people still knock on doors (literally) and introduced their business to you. I enjoy that realness and hospitality of people here and if you’re a good person, that serves you well in Austin.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Well, we are a new photography headshot studio in ATX, conveniently located just off N Lamar and W St. Johns Ave – specializing in corporate, actor, and artist portraits and headshots. For over twenty years I’ve has been a photographer in London and Los Angeles. Now, alongside my Austinite wife, Sims Holland, we’re bringing our expertise to Austin and the surrounding creative and business community. My work is a mix of clean, modern headshot photography with an editorial twist, so clients get images that can work across multiple promotional platforms. We work closely with the client to ensure we get the image that best serves them for their needs. We especially love the small-business community here in ATX and have great rates for those who need cool shots for their businesses and employees. We want to keep Austin weird, too!
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Can you share something that might surprise us?
Besides being behind the camera, there has been a time when I was in front of the camera and have been in a few commercials. I used to write for the comedy circuit when I lived in London too, so I know the World of performance on both sides of the lens very well. This allows me to direct my subjects in a way that few photographers can.
Pricing:
- Corporate Headshots from $300
- Corporate Team Photos from $75pp
- Artist Portraits from $700
- Actor Headshots from $300
Contact Info:
- Website: www.austintxheadshots.com
- Instagram: austintxheadshots
Image Credits
David Price 2023
