DAVID ELLIS
David Ellis is a documentary/fine arts photographer based in California. Beginning his journey in photojournalism, Ellis learned the power of visual storytelling and of the immediacy of the photographic moment. His mantra, “See it, shoot it,” has been the driving force of his work for decades. An endless curiosity about the human condition and a strong background in design and performing arts has helped create work that bridges travel, street, sports, and conceptual photography.
His exposure to fine art began with his family, which has a long and storied history in visual and performing arts. His father was a screenwriter and his mother was an emerging abstract artist in Los Angeles. His appreciation of Chiaroscuro, vivid color sense, angular jazz and random acts of artistry began at home and have influenced his work ever since he picked up a camera. Ellis's skills were honed through classes at Otis College of Art & Design and ultimately, through his co-ownership of a world-class graphic design firm with celebrated designer, Larry Vigon, that did breakthrough design for Paramount, Fandango, Discovery Channel, IBM, Epson, LA Opera and dozens of other clients. There, he was privileged to be in the room while some of the most impactful artists and photographers conceptualized and produced compelling work. The result is his belief that creating exciting imagery is a subtractive process, a stripping away of everything that’s unnecessary to express a powerful idea in its ultimate simplicity.
Exhibition/Awards
Editor's Choice, LensCulture Art Photography Competition, 2019
Lenscratch: "Unnatural," 2017
Los Angeles Center of Photography: "Creative Portrait," juried by Greg Gorman; 2016
Los Angeles Center of Photography: "Street Shooting Around the World;" 2014
Publications
Fujilove 6.20
Steve Huff Photo 7.19
Steve Huff Photo 2.19
Motor Trend Magazine
Popular Science
Popular Mechanics
Sports Car Graphic
Various advertising assignments
David Ellis is a documentary/fine arts photographer based in California. Beginning his journey in photojournalism, Ellis learned the power of visual storytelling and of the immediacy of the photographic moment. His mantra, “See it, shoot it,” has been the driving force of his work for decades. An endless curiosity about the human condition and a strong background in design and performing arts has helped create work that bridges travel, street, sports, and conceptual photography.
His exposure to fine art began with his family, which has a long and storied history in visual and performing arts. His father was a screenwriter and his mother was an emerging abstract artist in Los Angeles. His appreciation of Chiaroscuro, vivid color sense, angular jazz and random acts of artistry began at home and have influenced his work ever since he picked up a camera. Ellis's skills were honed through classes at Otis College of Art & Design and ultimately, through his co-ownership of a world-class graphic design firm with celebrated designer, Larry Vigon, that did breakthrough design for Paramount, Fandango, Discovery Channel, IBM, Epson, LA Opera and dozens of other clients. There, he was privileged to be in the room while some of the most impactful artists and photographers conceptualized and produced compelling work. The result is his belief that creating exciting imagery is a subtractive process, a stripping away of everything that’s unnecessary to express a powerful idea in its ultimate simplicity.
Exhibition/Awards
Editor's Choice, LensCulture Art Photography Competition, 2019
Lenscratch: "Unnatural," 2017
Los Angeles Center of Photography: "Creative Portrait," juried by Greg Gorman; 2016
Los Angeles Center of Photography: "Street Shooting Around the World;" 2014
Publications
Fujilove 6.20
Steve Huff Photo 7.19
Steve Huff Photo 2.19
Motor Trend Magazine
Popular Science
Popular Mechanics
Sports Car Graphic
Various advertising assignments