photographer harold david
Harold David was born in America and studied acting at the respected Lee Strasberg school in New York, but he has made his name as a photographer in Australia. His work is regularly showcased in magazines such as Harper's Bazaar, Grazia, Vogue and Marie Claire, and he has shot campaigns for General Pants, Sportsgirl and Levis. Harold's non-commercial work has been exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW and one of his most recent collection's has travelled to Japan. His portrait, above, was taken at Harold's holiday home in the Blue Mountains, and featured in the latest issue of Inside Out magazine. [To see more pics of his weekender, visit taiKa.]
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? When I was over my acting stint David Bonney really encouraged me to do something about my love for photography and led me to the ACP 17 years ago to start taking classes and I did. My first exhibition, "Surface", was about Bondi skate culture, curated by Victoria Harbutt as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival. That show was seen Brett Chamberlain who was doing a lot of work for Studio Magazines and got me on board there. This lead to my love of shooting portraits and fashion editorials as well as exhibiting my personal work. Soon after Mari Vendrame became my agent and mentor. So with the support and love of David Bonney, Victoria Harbutt, Brett Chamberlain and Mari Vendrame I was able to realise my passion for taking photographs. I am still on this path with some of these people and still creating images and collaborating with many more along the way.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? That we are not alone.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Photographing Japanese workers in their uniforms.
What’s been your best decision? To leave home at 18 and follow my curiosity.
Who inspires you? Anna Madrigal.
What are you passionate about? Observing people and pancakes.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Tolstoy.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? To be a dad.
What are you reading? Essays in Love by Alain de Botton.
images courtesy of harold david and inside out (portrait)