David M. Dudar specializes in destination photos and portraits that showcase what makes each unique. With travels that have included 43 countries on five continents (and all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands), Dave creates images that reflect a belief that standing in front of interesting things makes for interesting photography — and an evolving photographer.
His portrait work features men as destinations unto themselves — crafting natural light and outdoor settings to highlight the innate handsomeness of his subjects. As such, his work has appeared in print and online in reads as varied as Philadelphia magazine, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Washington Flyer, and several LGBTQ publications.
Dave’s photographic pursuits complement a 25-year-long career in travel, transportation, and tourism brand marketing, where his advertising, public relations, and e-commerce initiatives have collected over 50 industry awards for companies as varied as Park Hyatt Hotels, United Airlines, and a group of resorts first founded by the Rockefeller family in the 1950s. During his years in Atlanta, he was a founder and eventually chairman of the Convention and Visitors Bureau for the airport district; Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest.
A native of upstate New York, he resides in Henderson, Nev. — Dave has lived in seven states and the District of Columbia before settling in the Las Vegas area.
We asked Dave what he strives for in his photography and he told us:
"I started photography focused on destination pictures — and I think that beginning still makes my portrait work different.
"To this day, when I am trying to capture a landmark in a city that is new to me, I’ll visit at different times of the day — attempting to figure out when the light is best. Photography is nothing more than capturing light well — and in keeping with this approach, my portraits only use natural, ambient light. In combination with colorful architectural detail or textured foliage, the men I photograph become a destination unto themselves, even as such a setting reflects the destination that surrounds them.
"The simplicity that results can be deceptive. My aim is showcasing the innate handsomeness of the men I photograph. Presenting them, as it were, in the best light possible."
You can see more of Dave’s work by visiting ManshotsByDave.tumblr.com or following facebook.com/dudarphotos. His Instagram is found @TravelBeard.
READER COMMENTS (