David Waldorf / works

David Waldorf Photographer A sample portfolio prepared for The African Development Bank 25 May 2009

My name is David Waldorf, and it is a pleasure to introduce myself and my work to the African Development Bank. Thank you for this opportunity.

I have been shooting for 20 years now, yet with each new shoot I look forward to the fresh, undiscovered qualities of people and places.

Steve Livigni, Mixologist at the Doheny

Identical Triplets, American Canyon

In my advertising work I am efficient and focused on delivering the requested images. When that’s done, I always include a creative ‘alternate’ image or two for the client.

“Mama” at Osteria La Buca, Hollywood

Tim Mondavi, Winemaker, Napa Valley

More often than not, these ‘alternate’ images are selected for the campaign. I like to think of that as confirmation that the act of seeing–both literally as well as in terms of imaginative visualization– is best done on-location.

Duggan, Chinatown, San Francisco

Joel K, Fashion Designer, Echo Park

When I shoot for magazines, the diverse locales and interesting people bring out the best in my creativity. To date I have had over 300 images appear in such publications as Time, Wired, Forbes, Men’s Health, Psychology Today, The New York Times Magazine, Entrepreneur, Angeleno and many others.

Jean-Michel, Fashion Designer, Beverly Hills

Gustavo Brambila, Winemaker, Sonoma County

In 2002 I was truly honored to learn that my image of the World Trade Center would appear on the cover of TIME Magazine’s “While America Slept” issue, one of the highest selling issues in the history of the publication. It was also a pleasure to take a rare photograph of film director David Lynch in his private sanctuary, the ‘think room’.

David Lynch, “Think Room,” Hollywood Hills

Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan, Men’s Book

Henry Urbach, Men’s Book

Downtown Los Angeles, Angeleno Magazine

Edward, Benefit Magazine

I have had chapters in my photographic career where I’ve enjoyed taking simple portraits to capture the truth in people’s eyes–the universal joy and pain that is evident in the CEO’s of international corporations as well as the unemployed residents of trailer park communities.

Ian, Falcon Motorcycles, Los Angeles

Ashley, Head Chef at Four Seasons, Los Angeles

At other times, I have enjoyed the challenge of capturing vast cityscapes and works of art in new and interesting ways. The way the light hits a building at dawn might be spectacular – but often I am astonished hours later when I see the majestic rays of late-day sunlight which tell me that now is the perfect time to capture this image.

Ovid Winery, Napa Valley

Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco

Currently I enjoy projects that combine both of these elements.

In recent work for TIME and Angeleno in particular, I have enjoyed the blend of techniques involved in creating environmental portraiture. Simply put, this means highlighting a person within a space while letting both parties ‘star’ in the image.

Steve Livigni, Los Angeles

Seven Grand, Los Angeles

Children, West Oakland

The prospect of traveling to several member countries of the African Development Bank excites me because it would provide an opportunity to utilize my skills towards a far-reaching goal–a visual exploration of the impact of the ADB’s development work throughout the African continent.

I hope that the included images inspire confidence in my ability to achieve this objective.

David Waldorf Photographer Los Angeles, New York and beyond 415 310 2253 davidwaldorf.com