Category Finalist 2007: close up

David Clifford

I was first drawn to photography in the 80’s. My father had a subscription to American Photo, and I was always impressed with the photos that were in that magazine. I couldn’t imagine people actually made a living doing something so cool as taking amazing pictures. In 1989 I moved to Boston to attend Northeastern University as an architecture major. It was at NU that I decided to take Photo 101 as an elective. The photography department was put together by a talented and interesting professor, Neal Rantoul. Neal was an 8x10 master and an important mentor during my college years.

In 1991 I moved to Aspen, Colorado, to escape the confines of the city. It wasn’t long before I was working at the local camera shop, The Walnut House. The owner made me an offer I could not refuse. I spent close to a decade shooting mountain photo, weddings, events, sports, landscapes, and tourism, and assisting other professional photographers. Aspen is an amazing place to live and shoot, but there is such a great concentration of talented photographers that you need to hold your own or be left out all together. It is Aspen where I met some of the best photographers in the world.

In 2002 I parleyed my experience and knowledge into a position at Rock & Ice and Trail Runner Magazine as the director of photography. I spent four years giving as much as I received in return and made some great friends along the way.

My wife Rixt and I have a home in Carbondale, Colorado, and currently reside in Boston, Massachusetts.In January 2007, I will travel to India to shoot a story for National Geographic Adventurer.

Nationality: United States