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David Beckstead (18)

David Beckstead was named “The Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World” by American Photo magazine - March 2007 issue.

David is truly a mountain man at heart! He has traveled to over 65 countries and almost every state in the US. He has hiked thousands of miles of backcountry, including above the base camp of Mt. Everest. He was one of the first registered trackers for Arizona Search and Rescue, worked for the US Forest Service for 12 summers as a Hotshot firefighter fighting fires around the US and Canada, all the while carrying a Nikon SLR with a 50 mm 1.8 lens. David is a fine art watercolor painter and lover of all things artistic.

David lives out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere, NE Washington State. David mixes his passion for art and travel to run a destination wedding photography business. Kassandra, his wife (of 16 fabulous years!) and business partner, shares his passions. Together they have successfully mixed their lifestyle with their business. They have a new baby girl named Asia Ruth! They have photographed weddings in Milan, Scotland, Ireland, The Cotswolds, Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Vietnam and many other destination style shoots.

David has a reputation for being honest and helpful and taking on life with passion and a smile! www.davidbeckstead.com

David is running workshops all over the US and the world. www.shootwithbeckstead.com

Check out David’s site of exceptional wedding imagery he has selected from the best photographers around the world:
www.admiredbybeckstead.com

Tuesday, 01 June 2010 04:34

The Not So Posed... Pose

Written by David Beckstead

I noticed that when many wedding photographers place the bride and groom into a simple safe pose they ask them to smile and look at the camera. I do these poses also for a quick safe shot or two. Yet clients hire me for my ‘unsafe’ imagery style and artistic captures: fashion posing, walking away shots, lots of wide-angle composition and Beckstead-style imagery.

Saturday, 27 February 2010 05:01

Into the Clouds, A Study of Depth and Concept

Written by David Beckstead

I was in the Bahamas shooting a wedding with my buddy Kevin Kramer. We both like to shoot as much as possible with the bride and groom, so we set up a "Day After" shoot. They get all dressed up in their wedding attire and run around going any place we feel like: Really! I have been doing this for a long time on my destination weddings.

Monday, 04 January 2010 14:26

Beckstead's Rules to Live By

Written by David Beckstead

Paul wrote me recently on Facebook and reminded me of something I wrote in 2005 or earlier. I look back at it and I realize I am a better writer now but the info still holds true for me. Thanks Paul for showing this to me again! It has been a while since I read it.

Wednesday, 02 December 2009 16:06

In-camera tilting: useful or overused?

Written by David Beckstead

I have had the opportunity to critique thousands of images and compositions. One in-camera effect I see used very often is tilting the camera plain. This effect is well-meaning and meant to enhance the composition, but is it an effective composition tool? Many photographers instinctively use tilt, but when asked, find it hard to explain why they used it on each shot. There are great compositional reasons to use tilt. There are also many more reasons to avoid tilting. Ultimately, the effect of tilting is at its strongest when used to create a more powerful frame and used with absolute intent.

Monday, 05 October 2009 04:04

Loose Shooting And Dramatic Imagery

Written by David Beckstead

This shot is one of my favorite images I have ever taken at a wedding. It taught me a lot about how I love the mechanics of shooting loosely with little regard for technicality. Of course I had a general idea of exposure and a very lose concept for composition. I keep my camera on aperture priority mode mainly for the very quick access to the back exposure dial.

Thursday, 03 September 2009 05:35

Fashion Posing

Written by David Beckstead

I have been shooting plenty of bridal-style model shoots in the last few years. I use this time to evolve my compositions and branding. Yet instead of getting the same style of imagery I compose at weddings, I try to work on concepts and locations outside of traditional wedding arena. Ideas I become passionate about. I still want to retain the 'feel' of wedding photography by using wedding outfits so these images are useful in my own business.

Tuesday, 30 June 2009 16:39

The Rules of Photography and Concepts of Composition

Written by David Beckstead

What are the ‘Rules of Photography’? What is composition and how do the ‘Rules’ apply? Before I attempt to take on these mammoth questions, I am going to tell you what this article is not: it is not a history lesson about art and Greece. It is not about how composition can be turned into a mathematical equation. It is not just about the ‘Rule of Thirds’. It is not about every conceivable compositional idea. The questions will not be fully answered. Yet, if you open your mind you will enjoy the ride!

Saturday, 14 March 2009 18:55

The Compositional Power of Cinematography!

Written by David Beckstead

Cinematography has been one of my strongest outlets for learning new compositional concepts. Cinematographers, since video was invented, have been the unsung heroes of the visual arts. Most pro-photographers I know can spout off a plethora of past popular photographers, but no one (myself included until recently) can say who the cinematographer of Ben-Hur was. Have you gone back and watched Ben-Hur lately?

Friday, 13 February 2009 11:47

The Power of Bridal-Model Shoots

Written by David Beckstead

My first model shoot was after my first destination wedding in Italy. The wedding couple did not want to be involved with a “Day After’ style shoot. The wedding day was all the imagery they wanted. I was a little disappointed. I had the perfect opportunity to expand my imagery base and use the wonderful Italian architecture to my advantage and give the couple some creative art.

Saturday, 17 January 2009 11:42

The Abstract Compositional Elements: Shadow & Reflection

Written by David Beckstead

Often, at the very beginning of a wedding, photographers get pulled into isolating their clients, filling the frame with people, reacting to emotion, thus telling human stories with their cameras. Like a magnet, the bride seems to pull the photographer’s camera closer and closer.

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David Beckstead (18)

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