Artist Spotlights- David Duncan - Photographer

http://www.soulexposure.com

PB - How did you get into the Business? What was your big break?

DD -I've always loved shooting photos. One day I was on job-site framing houses, not liking it at all, and I realized that I was not doing what I should be doing. I became determined to shoot photos for a living. I struggled for a while and had a "turn-around" when another big local photographer asked me to shoot for him. Since then I've become independant and got Soul Exposure Photography going.

PB -Is this something you've always wanted to do, or did it take you by surprise?

DD -I've always been good at construction, so I always assumed this is what I was supposed to do. It wasn't until I was 29 when I realized that a career in photography was a possibility. Yes, I guess it was kind of a surprise. Luckily, I convinced my wife I could do it and now she has become my biggest support.

PB -Are you a goal oriented person? Are you a control freak?

DD - I've never been a goal oriented person, but once I became one, and became determined with my goals, I discovered success.

PB -What music/artists do you like to listen to?

DD - Paul Brandt...L.O.L. ,actually, no, I haven't listened to much of your music until I started hanging out with some hunting buddies from B.C. At first I was like "hey, this is that Paul Brandt guy, I kinda know this guy through my buddy". Of course they didn't believe me being huge Paul Brandt fans. Being form T.O., country music wasn't big on my list until I moved out to Alberta. Now I listen to pretty much everything... I get very inspired to shoot photos when I listen to music.

PB -What's your favorite website?

DD - www.banksy.co.uk    Just recently my buddy showed me this guy who is a "tagger". His work is very creative and controversial. I'm not much of a tagger myself, but I admire this guy's freedom and inspiration. Other than that, my own.... www.soulexposure.com When I go to my own I get to look at alot of people I know. They make me smile.

PB -Talk about your current album/projects... OR if there's not a current project... What are your album/career plans?

DD -My latest was you, Paul. I've been trying to get into the music industry and I think this opportunity will help. Now I can tell other artist that I've shot "Paul Brandt". Now they have to hire me!!.

PB -Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

DD -Ten years can fly by. I'm hoping that I can do a little travel photography, shooting albums for artists, and then come home to my future acreage in the foothills and ride my future horses with my future kids. "I better get goin".

PB -Where do you see yourself tomorrow?

DD -I've got a busy summer shooting weddings, "so polish up the old church shoes".

PB -Are you a pet person? Do you have any pets? Any pet stories?

DD -I"ve got an "Akita" now. But stories...heck yes!
When I first moved to Alberta I went for a drive out to the mountains with my brother-in-law. On highway 1, a van in front of us hit a rotwhiler running across the highway. We pulled over and was joined, shortly after, by an r.c.m.p. officer.  I explained what happen and  he decided to finish the dog off with his 9mm. Much to my shock (and the crying kids in the van), I had discovered the "true wild west". The very next day I took my lab for a walk along with my room-mates rotwhiler. Half way through our walk, 'Spike', my room-mates rotwhiler, decided to go home. Yelling at him to come back was futile. As I watched him run across John Laurie Blvd, it was like "slowmotion-deja-vu". A large white Buick sent him into a spin. After scooping up 100lbs of limp rotwhiler, I started to pray, so hard it would make Moses' prayers sound juvenile. Suddenly, after running 'reds' and stop signs to the vet, Spike stood up. An ex-ray and some stitches and Spike was fine. 2 craziest days of my life.

PB -Do you care to share your religious beliefs? What's your life philosophy?

DD -I was brought-up in a strong Christian home. When I was in my late teens I went a little wild, but found my way back when I moved out west. Now I tend to question alot of "rituals" or "customs" that Christians do. I consider myself an open thinker but my wife and I are true believers in God and Jesus Christ. We're not great examples of Christians but we try.

PB -What's your favorite food?

DD -My wife makes this east-indian curry dish that I can't get enough of.

PB - Please add any other interesting comment, tidbit, sound-bite or mantra here...

DD -Don't sweat the small stuff... and the big stuff for that matter.

Click here for other artist profiles