David Ogden: Fine Art Photographer
Wildlife photographer, David Ogden, takes us through the world's most amazing scenery to show us a life of Faith in our Creator.
"I follow Jesus Christ and shoot his creation without a gun. "
Romans 10:9
All images are copyright the artist © David Ogden
The Smack
"a cheetah, who enjoyed being photographed, randomly smacked this hyena across the face then sprinted away. It happened so fast I scrambled to photograph this."
Meet David Ogden, Fine Art Photographer
Amy Fulton: Hello David! Thanks so much for this unbelievable opportunity to allow us to learn more about the man behind the lens. Your photography completely takes my breath away... I just love it! Tell us, how many years have you been photographing?
David Ogden: I've been behind the camera for almost 20 years. I enjoy photographing anything really, it could be two rocks and I'll give it my best shot.
Amy Fulton: Does your family carry the same photographic talents?
David Ogden: My dad does. He got the photography bug while attending the US Naval Academy in the 1960s. He used to photograph fighter planes from other planes mid- flight. He created some very intriguing, beautiful and uncommon photographs.
Amy Fulton: That's awesome. Where are most of your shots taken?
David Ogden: I travel throughout Southern Africa each year. I really enjoy Namibia and South Africa, but also like photographing at night along Intracoastal Waterway in Florida.
Amy Fulton: Where is your favorite place to take photos?
David Ogden: I don't have one favorite place, but currently is Namibia, Africa has my heart.
Amy Fulton: When photographing the animals, what is the longest period of time you spent waiting to get a shot?
David Ogden: Two or three days. Leopards, for example, are very elusive. Sometimes it takes several days to get one clear shot, although colleagues I have who actually live in South Africa have told me it's taking them weeks. I've been blessed with seeing Leopards often and frequently.
Amy Fulton: Any interesting stories to tell about the animals?
David Ogden: Yes, one story is from my last trip to Namibia in 2015. I was pursuing an idea for a specific photograph of giraffes beneath stars at night. The travels there were longer than expected and I was exhausted. I was woken up in the middle of the night suddenly by the Holy Spirit, telling me it's time for the giraffe shot. I was so tired at first I grumbled "Now?!" Then I got confirmation from that feeling we get from the Holy Spirt, just Trust and Go. I shuffled outside and there stand a couple dozen giraffes at the watering hole. The biggest giraffes I'd ever seen in Etosha National Park. I was able to photograph them all for hours. Praise Jesus!
Amy Fulton: That's is an interesting story. Very cool...Tell us about your faith and how you incorporate into your work?
David Ogden: Actually it's the work that Incorporated God into my life. I ventured on a photographic tour throughout Namibia several years back and felt a voice telling me to leave the tour, in the middle of a giant orange desert. At the time I didn't know it was the Holy Spirit, but I just left that tour. I felt so strongly something pulling me to just leave. I didn't realize it at the time however I realized later it was my personal journey in connection with God. I was recently divorced and that trip I went into sketchy locations where I would not go again. But the beautiful part is the whole time I felt safe, with this peace. Not unlike guardian angels were at work on either side of me. Now, before every shoot I'll just pray that if it's the Father's will that he that he blesses the images and often times it happens. Sometimes it doesn't, especially when I turn left instead of being told or pulled right.
Amy Fulton: Oh, that's wonderful that you keep God in the front of your mind. We all need to remember to put Him first and that's not always easy. How has your photography practice changed over time?
David Ogden: I feel more comfortable with technique and technical aspects of photography. Now I'm at the stage where I just try to listen and trust where God's pulling me to shoot. There so many things to photograph I just do not have enough time. So I just pray about it. I always hope he blesses the shot with a cloud or making the Cheetah stand with the moon and remain still while actually interacting emotionally with the camera.
Amy Fulton: What themes do you pursue?
David Ogden: Light, hope and life.
Amy Fulton: Do you have any other interesting talents that you would like to share with us?
David Ogden: Connection with animals.
Amy Fulton: Love it. God's creatures are amazing. What jobs have you had other than being a photographer?
David Ogden: Photography isn't actually my main profession currently, marketing is. My company, photographers.net, provides consulting for social media marketing and influencing to companies and photographers. The social influence specifically on Instagram, where we connected and I found @AmyFultonArt. In college I worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor and did telemarketing as a teenager.
Amy Fulton: Well we certainly have much in common. What is the most difficult part of your job?
David Ogden: Pleasing everybody.
Amy Fulton: Ha, yes. What do you like in particular about your work?
David Ogden: Co-creating with the Lord.
Amy Fulton: Do you sell photography prints, and if so, where may we purchase them?
David Ogden: "Yes you can visit my website to find available prints I've created."
Amy Fulton: Fabulous. What kind of photography projects are you currently working on?
David Ogden: Wildlife, nature and abandon projects for both myself and clients. Long term project is an indie film baby I've been shooting and directing, about a lost teenager trying to make her way out of an African desert.
Amy Fulton: What work do you enjoy the most doing?
David Ogden: I enjoy the quiet magical photographic moments pursuing idea shots. Experiences that seem almost Heaven sent, the ones that even make me wonder if I'm losing my mind. Be them shooting at night or a desert in Southern Africa, there’s the ones when the Lord Jesus Christ blesses the shot and moment with the most unexpectedly beautiful nuance. Almost like He's winking at us.
Amy Fulton: Any photography advice you would like to share?
David Ogden: Don't feel you have to follow what other photographers are doing. I personally don't list technical camera and lens information about photographs. I mean why do that when finding your own voice. Shoot what you feel. Do you feel you have to feel for the shot to resonate? Trust the unknown. Consider asking God to show himself to you while photographing or creating art. And be patient.
Amy Fulton: Thank you David, for allowing us this time to get to know you better as we admire your beautiful work!
To purchase prints, visit David Ogden's photography website HERE.
