This was from an in-studio shoot we did before I went to compete for Miss North Carolina USA, and I just loved the lighting for this photo.

Marcie Trivette is a representative of the State Capital as Miss Raleigh USA 2014. Marcie has been walking for Autism Speaks since 2010. She walks on behalf of her younger brother, Karsten, who was diagnosed with high-functioning Autism, (also known as Asperger’s Syndrome). I’ve done a number of shoots with her, and the sessions are always a lot of fun.

Here’s what Marcie had to say about working with me:

I use photographs for all sorts of things: my website, social media, headshots for speaking engagements, autograph cards, etc. Working with David & Brenda has been more of a friendship. They were kind enough to sponsor me for the Miss North Carolina USA pageant this year, and in return I wanted to help publicize his business. I am a true believer in shopping local, even when it comes to photography. He has an idea in his head before I even arrive to the studio. And, once I’m there he even bounces things off my own ideas. Plus, he lets me listen to my Pandora stations. Haha!

David is always out and about in Raleigh, just like me! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve run into him at events. He captured this photo of Steven David Elliot and I at one of the North Hills Networking events. I love having these memories to look back on.

This photo is from the most recent shoot I had with David. It was great working outdoors at the new studio, and getting to have some more casual images.

“I can’t thank David and Brenda enough for all they have done. They have become like family to me. David is a skilled and innovative photographer. Raleigh is lucky to have him.”

The post Photo Spotlight: Marcie Trivette, Miss Raleigh USA 2014 first appeared on .

Kevin enjoys any opportunity to share his story and inspire others to make life changes. “I’m passionate about PASSION!” says Kevin. “You have to love what you do—because when you don’t, it shows. Of course, when you do, it shows as well. My purpose as a speaker is to help individuals reflect and identify their passion and get connected to their source of authentic happiness and desire. When you have passion, you find a way to make things happen.”

Kevin was a pleasure to work with. To keep the big smiles going that you see in his images on this post, we played a game. We started making up stories about people we both know.

Here’s what Kevin had to say about working with me:

Headshots are essential for my business. As a keynote speaker, clients need high quality photos for promotional purposes and I need them for my website and in my own personal marketing. My business is who I am, so my brand and image matter. Having someone help me look good is a must, especially on a bad hair day! J

I called David because I wanted to look better than I do in person—and I needed a way to bring out my personality that would come across in a photo. David has a unique way of making you feel comfortable in a setting that normally wouldn’t feel comfortable. I’ve had three photo-shoot sessions with other photographers in the past that resulted in possibly 2-3 photos worth keeping. With David, there were dozens—he does a fabulous job using humor when necessary, but he also knows when to get serious.

The photos I enjoy the most are the ones that seem natural. You can tell a fake smile many times, so a genuine and transparent smile is most important. During my shoot with David, we got extremely creative and took photos from all over the room, high and low, near a window, along a wall — each picture was unique in its own way. From the shoot, I had over 50 photos I wanted to keep. David did a great job.

If your company is seeking a speaker that can engage an audience and help them achieve more in less time, Kevin appreciates your consideration.

 The hyperlink in this post is NO FOLLOW.

The post Spotlight: Kevin Snyder, Author and Speaker first appeared on .

Today’s audiences expect more from presenters and presentations. Refresher Training works with keynote presenters, motivational speakers, trainers, and others who make presentations. They take your voice, message and expertise and improve the presentations and materials that go with them. They design sharp, refreshed materials that leave the lasting impression you want. The Refresher Training team elevates your materials using powerful images and crisp designs. They offer a range of services, including training on how to improve your own presentations. They’re based in Raleigh and work with companies all over the world.

Here’s what Wendy had to say about her experience working with me:

“As a new business owner, the time had come when a cropped candid photo no longer cut it as my LinkedIn profile picture (never mind that the picture was 8 years old and you could see my husband’s tie behind me). First and foremost, I wanted professional pictures that captured the real me, not a stiffly posed headshot. I wanted to convey approachability, competence, and confidence.

I knew even before interviewing him that I wanted to hire David. A friend of mine (Kevin Snyder) had hired David for professional head shots, and when Kevin posted them online I was convinced because the pictures captured his essence and personality. I appreciate that David took the time to learn my about my business and goals for the pictures as well as getting to know me personally before the shoot. During the shoot, he used a variety of techniques to elicit the look we both wanted to capture. He came prepared with several ideas and tried some new ones on the spur of the moment.”

Here are a couple of stories about some of Wendy’s favorite images that we shot.

“As a result of a diving accident, I’ve spent 30 of my 40+ years trying to hide my teeth when I smile because my front teeth were discolored. About two years ago I had dental work done, so now I can smile all I want! But after 30 years of hiding my teeth, my new teethy smile was awkward and not yet natural. So before the shoot, I explained to David that I wanted pictures of me that showed my teeth and I that I’d need guidance and coaching to elicit that kind of smile. And boy, did he!”

“Ironically, one of my favorite pictures that David took  [below right] doesn’t have a teethy smile and I’m not even looking at the camera—I’m looking down. He actually took the picture just to test the lighting, but he really liked the look so we went with it.”

Wendy’s an active leader in the training industry locally and nationwide. She’s been on the board of the local chapter of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) for nine years and is a national advisor for ASTD chapter boards. She’s a certified instructional designer. Wendy lives in Raleigh with her husband, Don and their Bengal cat, Diva.

Note: All external hyperlinks in this post are … rel=”nofollow”

The post LOCAL Spotlight: Wendy Gates Corbett with Refresher Training first appeared on .

Leslie is a great client who has always been easy to work with. She is also obviously out to make a difference in the world and passionate about what she does—which makes my job a lot easier as a photographer. Some clients freeze up or become nervous or withdrawn in front of the camera. While I have plenty of experience helping people feel natural in these situations, I have never had that problem with Leslie!

I have attended some of Leslie’s talks on the subject of goal-setting. She is a dynamic speaker who knows her subject matter well. She retired from corporate America to devote herself to the study of personal development using transformational principles—which have been the focus of her work for the last 20 years of her 50-year career.

Here’s what Leslie had to say about her experience working with me:

“I watched David post photos of friends and colleagues. David captures personality—the light shining from within. That’s what had me schedule an appointment. I was not disappointed. In my business it is important for potential clients to feel my heart and know my authenticity in a photograph.

I liked that David asked me to send him snap shots of pictures I like. Then when I arrived at the shoot it was fast, affordable, crew and set up ready. In and out in record time.

I had David do a picture of me leaning over a white board that I use as a template. I add information about specific

“Pointing” image for social media

workshops and programs when I announce them on social media. I also use an image of me pointing up toward my banner on my Facebook page. I use my head shots often for press releases, speaking engagements, etc.”

Leslie shared a bit about her personal goals and ambitions—she has made it her personal goal to collapse the gender wage gap at an accelerated rate. On the average, women earn $0.78 per dollar of income as compared to their male counterparts. It is projected that the wage gap will close by 2054, but Leslie aims to make it happen much sooner—in 2025. While Leslie’s material is

“Whiteboard” template

universally applicable, she specializes in teaching women to leverage success principles in business in the way that men have been doing for centuries.

For her work in continuing education Leslie received the Triangle Women Extraordinaire in 2010 and 2011 by Business Leader Media. She also earned the 2011 Triangle Mover & Shaker Award. Leslie is certified LSC (LifeSuccess Consultant and coach) since 2008 with Bob Proctor, and received her CS (certified speaker) in 2009 with Steve Siebold.

Leslie loves serving her community and has lived in the Triangle for more than 40 years.  She is a founding board member for GrowandShare.org and is Director of Family Coaching at People Builders LLC, both non-profit organizations.

Note: All external hyperlinks in this post are … rel=”nofollow”

The post Photography Spotlight: Leslie Flowers first appeared on .

Alice Osborn is a professional writer and editor in Raleigh. Her specialty is fiction and memoir editing, and she teaches various workshops in the area. She also plays the guitar and the violin as well as practicing Irish Dance. I have known Alice for years, and she is a talented writer with a solid reputation for helping her clients get great results. She is also an accomplished and entertaining speaker with a gift for engaging her audience.

Here’s what Alice had to say about our photo sessions:

“I love how David takes an aspect of your personality/image and runs with it! When I’ve posted David’s photos on Facebook, they have created a life of their own with comments. Some of my fans share them. Recently, I went to a Shop Talk Networking event sponsored by the News & Observer and the Cary Chamber of Commerce. Next in line to me at the registration table was Wendy Corbett, who was another of David’s subjects. She saw me place my photo business card in the fish bowl and immediately struck up a conversation with me. She said, ‘I’ve seen you on Facebook!’ We became friends after that!”

Photo shoots with Alice are always fun—you can see a lot of different sides to her personality that come through in different scenes and outfits. Part of what I always try to do with clients in photography sessions is to capture the “un-posed” persona behind their personal brands. Anyone who knows Alice can tell you that she is not your typical book editor. We needed to convey her professional side while also showing that she is creative, fun and innovative.

We shot this image for Halloween of 2013, when Alice dressed up as the Lady Melisandre from Game of Thrones. (I don’t personally watch the show, but Alice is a big fan.) She uses this image for her Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Editing business card.

Alice shared a fun personal anecdote about this image:

“I went to the Raleigh Irish Feis (pronounced “fesh”) at the Durham Convention Center last month to get my dance hard shoes and wigs. The Feis is a dance competition and they also have Irish dance vendors, so you don’t need to pay shipping for special imported goods from the UK. I gave the wig vendors my Sci-Fi card so that they could easily match my red hair to the wigs they had in stock—and it worked! They also asked me for more cards because they knew a few folks who wrote sci-fi and fantasy who might need an editor down the line. I think I found a new niche: finding editing clients at Irish and Renaissance festivals. Once they see that card, they know I’m all in!”

I’ve also shot images of Alice playing the guitar, reciting poetry and speaking at local events. She is a great client. Her creativity and confidence really show when she gets in front of the camera.

Note: All external hyperlinks in this post are … rel=”nofollow”

The post LOCAL Spotlight: Alice Osborn, Writer and Editor first appeared on .