We were lucky to catch up with David Swanson recently and have shared our conversation below.
David, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I was always good with art in school and at home and when I was young, and I thought
I’d try oil painting. My parents fostered anything I showed interest in, but I was horrible. I
had a talent for the fine details, but general proportions of the landscape or figure study
were way off, either too big or too small. I never knew when a painting was done, I
would keep going until the point of no return until in my young teens a friend loaned me
a camera, and I realized you get exactly what you see, that became my medium. I kind
of thought I might be good, and sought out other photographers who encouraged, and
complimented me. I was too naïve to not know I was good.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have been a news photographer since I could drive. We lived near a volunteer fire hall,
and I would gear up and chase the fire crews at any hour of the day or night. It might be
a barn fire or fatal accident on a highway. I never knew until I got to the scene. Since
then, I became a photographer for The Philadelphia Inquirer for 33 years, and have
spent the last five years freelancing for Reuters and Agence France Presse in Los Angeles. I
have covered 9/11, the wars in Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq, Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake in Haiti and many other major news events.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I like the expression, everything happens for a reason, everything is connected, – pay
attention. I feel if a door opens, make the best of it, take that chance. Talk to people,
and listen, really listen, and develop your powers of observation, know what is going to
happen in a few minutes, not in 5 years.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
I am lucky enough, and I know it’s a rarity, to know exactly what I wanted to make my
living as. It’s more of lifestyle, and I consider it my calling. I put all of my eggs in one
basket, changing from engineering school at my parents wish, to journalism school, my
calling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.photoswanson.com
- Instagram: photoswanson / @SwansonPhotog
- Facebook: David Swanson on FB
Image Credits
n/a
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
