We were lucky to catch up with David Coons recently and have shared our conversation below.
David, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from surviving a lifetime of code-switching and masking, constantly adapting myself to fit into a world that didn’t make space for me. Growing up, I had to be hyper-aware of every action, word, and emotion—how I spoke, how I walked, what I wore, even the hobbies I picked—because being true to myself meant I risked not feeling safe or accepted. I was bullied for being different, for not conforming to the expectations that society placed on me. But each time I faced rejection or felt the weight of trying to fit into a world that didn’t uplift me, I learned to hold on to the core of who I am. Through all of that, art became my sanctuary, my way to speak when words couldn’t express my truth. My resilience comes from turning that pain into strength—into a force that fuels my creativity and helps me push forward. Being queer, and embracing the complexity of my identity, means constantly fighting to carve out space for myself. And over time, that fight has shaped me into someone who understands that resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about creating, expressing, and embracing who I truly am, even when the world doesn’t always offer that same acceptance.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I see myself as a creative at my core, and much of that comes from the various ways I’ve engaged with the world of art throughout my life. While I’m a photographer and illustrator by profession, my journey has been deeply influenced by my love for many creative outlets. Growing up as a competitive figure skater, I was always drawn to the expressive movement of performance. Beyond that, I’ve had a deep passion for theater, dance, and performance art—not as a career, but as forms of personal engagement and joy. These experiences taught me about the power of storytelling, emotion, and human connection, all of which influence my work today.
As a photographer, I have the privilege of capturing moments across various genres, from portraits and headshots to wedding, family, travel, and product photography, as well as behind-the-scenes shots for film. Each type of photography offers a unique opportunity to tell a story and connect with my subjects in a meaningful way. Additionally, I’m an illustrator, where I create hand-drawn pieces based on photographs provided by clients. These illustrations are a beautiful way for me to blend my artistic expression with clients’ personal stories, creating one-of-a-kind pieces of memorabilia.
Another exciting project I’m currently working on is an art exhibition I’m curating in the Bay Area called Jewish Voices on Mental Health. This exhibit focuses on how Judaism has long recognized that healing is holistic, incorporating physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual components. It aims to foster open dialogue on mental health, reduce stigma, and explore the intersection of Jewish identity, mental health, and art. The artists involved in the exhibit have created powerful work that speaks to the importance of mental health within the Jewish community, and I’m honored to partner with the Blue Dove Foundation and BeWell to bring this project to life. The exhibition will be on display at the Peninsula JCC from April to June 2025 and the Osher Marin JCC from July to September 2025. Along with the exhibition, we’re hosting interactive programming and providing resources to help engage the community in meaningful conversations about mental health. It’s incredibly special to me to be able to contribute to such an important cause and create a space where people can connect, heal, and engage in a dialogue that truly matters.
Creativity, for me, is not just a job—it’s a way of life. Whether it’s through the design of my home, my involvement in performance arts, or the expression I find in fashion, every form of creativity influences the other. It all feeds into my photography, my art, and how I approach the world. I believe that embracing and exploring creativity in all its forms helps me connect more deeply with myself and others, and I’m grateful to be able to share that through my work and projects.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I think the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are adaptability, empathy, and a strong sense of self. Each of these qualities has shaped both my creative work and how I navigate the world.
Growing up in environments where I had to constantly shift and adjust in order to feel safe has helped me develop the ability to adapt quickly to new situations, challenges, and opportunities. As a creative, this has been essential because the industry is always changing, and being able to pivot or explore new avenues has helped me stay relevant and resilient. My advice to those starting out is to stay flexible—embrace the unknown, be open to learning, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different creative approaches.
In my work as a photographer and illustrator, empathy is key. Understanding my clients’ needs, emotions, and stories allows me to create work that feels personal and meaningful. This extends beyond just my clients; it’s about connecting with people on a deeper level, which is what makes art so powerful. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say focus on developing empathy—not just for others, but for yourself as well. Recognizing that everyone has their own struggles and experiences helps foster understanding, and it enriches your art and relationships.
I spent a lot of time masking and adjusting myself to fit in, but over time, I realized that my true strength comes from embracing who I am, in all my complexities. This has allowed me to create art that feels authentic to me and connect with others who resonate with that truth. My advice to others starting out is to take time to really get to know yourself. Understand what makes you unique, and don’t shy away from letting that authenticity guide your work. It can be a long journey—in fact, I’m still on this journey constantly—so stay strong, it’s so worth it.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
In the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been working on overcoming imposter syndrome, which I’ve come to realize is deeply tied to my experiences growing up queer. As a kid, I often felt like I didn’t belong. I spent so much time trying to fit into spaces that didn’t make room for me, and that sense of not belonging led me to believe I had to be ‘better’—at everything—in order to be accepted. The idea was that if I couldn’t fit in, I could at least stand out through success, so people would focus on what I could do rather than on my queerness or my differences.
This mindset, while rooted in survival, also fueled feelings of imposter syndrome. There was always a fear that my achievements weren’t enough to prove I truly belonged, or that I wasn’t as capable as others might have believed. The pressure to constantly perform came from trying to compensate for feeling different, for feeling like I wasn’t truly accepted. It was a way of distracting from my vulnerabilities by focusing on what I thought would make me ‘acceptable.’
Over the past year, I’ve worked hard to shift that thinking. I’m learning to trust that my worth doesn’t come from constantly proving myself, and that I’m allowed to take up space without needing to be perfect. I’m understanding that I don’t have to achieve greatness to be worthy of being here. It’s been a process, but I’m beginning to embrace that my unique experiences—especially as a queer person—are what make me who I am, and they’re not something I need to hide or compensate for.
For anyone struggling with imposter syndrome, especially if you’ve faced challenges related to identity, my advice is this: It’s okay to not have all the answers or feel ‘good enough’ all the time. Your growth is not defined by perfection, but by the journey. Take the time to appreciate where you are, and recognize that you belong just as you are, flaws and all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.davidtcoons.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidtcoons
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtcoons
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