One on One with - David Beckstead

Prophotohub & David Beckstead...
davidbeckstead
B-DAY April-29

1) PPH: Where is home ??
DB: On the boarder of British Colombia and Idaho in Washington State. Out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere! On a lake with trout!
2) PPH: How long have you been shooting ??
DB: A Pro sense 1997. Camera in hand from 1984 on.

3) PPH: What camera gear do you use / and what's your favorite lens ??
DB: Canon Mark II’s with 16-35 being my favorite and 70-200 a close second. I always carry 2 cameras at weddings with these lens on. 16-35 helps me bring in the lines and light and the 70-200, emotion and action.

4) PPH: Do you have a memorable wedding photography moment ??
DB: Watching the sunrise over the ocean as the wedding couple knelt down in the sand to pray (during the ceremony), in Mexico at 5am.

5) PPH: First car? Today's car? What do you want in the future ??
DB: Never been big on cars. They are only for getting me to a destination so I can get out and start walking!
Baja Beetle VW was my first and it took me too many out of the way places for camping. And it fell apart one way or another on every trip.
I want any electric car. I have a hybrid now.

6) PPH: Is there anyone else in the "biz" you enjoy shooting with? why? who would you like to shoot with ??
DB: I absolutely dig shooting with my wife at weddings! We play off each other and the b&g love it! A healthy and fun competitive spirit gives our shooting relationship the spice it needs to deliver ‘Art’ to our clients.
I would like to shoot one with Mike Colon, Becker and Jerry G. They crack me up and I know it would be fun shooting with them.

7) PPH: Where would you like to shoot that you haven't yet ??
DB: India. I have traveled there but have not photographed a wedding there. It is on the long-term goal list. It will happen for sure within the next 5 years.

8) PPH: Where would be your dream " desti " location ??
DB: I have been to 65 counties so I have traveled to many of my ‘dream’ locations. Greenland is one dream location I have on the goal list. Glacier wedding anyone?

9) PPH: What good tips can you give to a photographer starting off today ??
DB: Make websites a top priority in your business. Never ‘just’ repeat what others have done. Learn from others, and then make your own style and brand. Never stop shooting!!

10) PPH: What is the one approach / step that took your studio to where it is today ??
DB: After 3 years of being a pro photographer I decided to specialize into weddings only. This was the strongest decision I have made in my business and brand.

PPH: In your words any great projects / workshop / seminars / dvds / in the works ??
I am teaching a really fun style of workshop that has taken me to S. Africa, London and Norway and 15 or more states. www.shootwithbeckstead.com I will be setting up my 09 schedule soon with many overseas workshops and plenty here in the US. I have had great response with these composition/wedding based workshops.

I have a platform at WPPI in 09 that should be really fun. That will be my 4th year in a row teaching there. I always learn so much every year I go.